Mindfulness Bingo

Shoes

2009-11-01T11:22:00.001-08:00

Today's Bingo: Shoes. "Dad?" "Yes, son," the man said to his six year old. "Have you ever walked in my shoes?" "They're a little small." "Can I walk in your shoes?" "I hope you'll always be willing."

Waves

2009-10-15T04:54:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Waves. Life is waves and their opposite. On the surface of the water, violent crashing or perfect calm. It's always changing, chaotic, and unpredictable. But below, in the deep ocean, even as the storm rumbles above, it's still. Your world is like the surface--always changing. You can get crushed and tumbled by the tumult (or lulled into thinking everything will always be okay by the calm); or, go deep. In you, in deep places, is perfect quiet. Choose to go there and the changes pass and you are always well.

Pumpkins

2009-10-12T10:28:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Pumpkins. In piles on carts, in the fields in rows, at the grocery for sale, and on hay in a bale. Painted and carved and made into pies; I like the pumpkins with funny looking eyes. Jack-o-lanterns with candles that brighten the night; the orange pumpkin is fall's opus to life.

Morning Moon

2009-10-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Morning Moon. "Mama, what's that?" Asked the little boy as he and his mother walked the beach one morning. "You know what that is." His mother replied. "But Mr. Moon doesn't come out in the morning. He is a night moon." The child said indignantly. "Honey," the Mother said, "He's been up all night." The child thought for a second, then said earnestly. "He is going to be a sleepy moon today."

Pure

2009-10-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Pure. Your mind is like a pond. It takes in everything. You choose what stays. Let the waste hang around and pretty soon you're soiled. Fill your mind with blue sky, smiles, and memories of mom's best meal: you feel pure.

Perspective

2009-09-22T07:16:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Perspective. Which way are you looking? Up or down? How wide? How close? Turns out that the way you look at something is as important as the experience itself.

Busy

2009-09-21T03:53:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Busy. Busy is the new "I'm fine." Someone asks you how you're doing, and the reflex response is about the pace of life. No problem: If it's on purpose. Busy implies a lot. Busy implies a fast pace. Again, no problem: If you love it. Make busy doing important things: Your soul sores. Too much of what you think you have to do: A sour soul.

Dive

2009-09-16T06:31:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Dive. Sometimes, when you take a risk, it doesn't go well. Your parachute doesn't open the way it's supposed to. But you are smart. You have trained for this. You know not only how to handle crisis; you know how to enjoy life even when it gets difficult. When everyone else would panic, you savor the good all around you. You choose to live the graceful life.

Delicious

2009-09-10T05:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Delicious. The apple tree had grown on the hill for over 200 years. Johnny planted it on his walk half way across America. Its fruit is still sweet and delicious. The only question people ask when they see the ancient tree: How will we enjoy its bounty this year?

Crazy

2009-09-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Crazy. "Are you crazy?" The little girl asked her grandpa after he made a funny face. "No," he said. "I'm crazy about you!"

Drink

2009-09-08T06:39:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Drink. Drink like an Eskimo. Their tradition: Euphoria from spirits offers access to another dimension; but drink too much, and you access the demons. Whatever your favorite beverage--coffee, sweet lemonade, or adult libation--there is a right amount that creates balance.

Smoke

2009-09-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Smoke. Campfires, Grampa's pipe, and Dad's secret recipe bbq. Harvey Keitel movie on the weight of a soul. The stuff that comes from between your ears when you think too much. On this labor day, give your mind the day off.

Summer Break

2009-07-20T11:21:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Summer Break. I hope you've enjoyed bingo. We've had thousands of readers and we'll start up again the first week of September. 126 Bingos are there to explore. Love to hear your favorites in the comments section.

Less

2009-07-17T10:21:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Less. What can you remove from your life right now that will take away the stress, reduce the cortisol from your system (that's the hormone from stress that screw's your hole system up), and allow you to see what's beautiful, all around you?

Greatest Hits: Grumpy

2009-07-16T04:14:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Grumpy. Rams locking horns. Children screaming at their mothers. Husbands and wives pouting like Grumpy dwarf. Get involved with grumpy and you'll be grumpy too. Step back and watch: grumpy can be about the cutest thing you'll ever see.

Blue

2009-07-15T07:05:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Blue. Go to the porch. Sit on the stoop, a rocking chair, a porch swing, or just plop yourself down. Close your eyes and take a few deep breathes. Remember you are precious and entirely worth loving. Now look up at the blue sky. No problem cannot be absorbed by its vast color and brightness. No moment is better than pausing and looking up.

Believe

2009-07-14T06:37:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Believe. "Isn't hope foolish?" Asked the student. "Yes," said the master. "Why do you say so?" "Hope is empty without action," replied the student. "Yes, said the master. "So what state of mind produces serenity in each moment?" "Belief?" Asked the student. "Especially," said the master, "When what you believe contributes to the well-being of everything."

Summer

2009-07-13T05:06:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Summer. "Mommy, is it summer?" "Yes, dear." "How do we know?" "It's warm, the days are longer, and you're not in school." The little boy thought for a minute. "Mom?" "Yes, dear." "Can it be summer all the time?"

Seagull

2009-07-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Seagull. Seagulls fly like graceful creatures surveying the rolling sea, and they swim like drunken ducks. Noticing the contrast: Bingo!

Window

2009-07-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Window. The monk's hut had one window. It was a simple hole in the wall with wooden shutters for cold and rain. One of his favorite meditations was to open the window, sit in front of it for an hour, and just look. He would see the world move, slow, and without care; and he, like the real world, would slow down.

Faith

2009-07-08T05:13:00.000-07:00

Today's bingo: Faith. She opened up the fortune cookie. It read, "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark." She went online that night and signed up for the thing she'd always wanted to do and forever been afraid wouldn't happen.

Avalanche

2009-07-07T06:16:00.000-07:00

Today's bingo: Avalanche. "Mom, I'm sooooo angry," said the little girl. "Why honey? What's the matter?" "I'm like a little snowball, and everything is making me madder." "How are you like a snowball?" The Mom said, trying not to smile. "You know when all the snow falls off a mountain but it starts with a little snow. That's me. I'm just having a bad day." "And I love you on bad days too," said the Mom.

Donuts

2009-07-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Donuts. Every morning the baker woke early, drank a coffee, and turned the oven on by 3:30 AM. His donuts were famous in seven counties and he sold out by nine every day. He could buy more ovens and sell more donuts. People offered him money to franchise the business at least once a year. When asked about his choices, he simply said, "I love donuts."

Fireworks

2009-07-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Fireworks. If you have nothing to celebrate, you're not breathing!

Rings

2009-07-02T04:46:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Rings. "Your phone is ringing." "I know." "So answer it." "I'm waiting for the third ring." "Why?" "It makes me pay attention. I look forward to who is calling and am completely present in that moment. I wait to pick up until exactly the moment before the fourth ring." "While you were talking it went to the fifth ring." "They'll call back."

Tea

2009-07-01T05:37:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Tea. "What is the purpose of tea?" Asked the Student. "To drink," said the Master. "But I can drink water," challenged the one learning. "In making and drinking tea," said the master, "You get to take your time."

Brilliance

2009-06-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Brilliance. Light pouring through damp window pains drenched by weeks of rain. A child's face at the zoo the first time she sees a monkey jump from limb to limb. The golden dome of an ancient building, gilded to edify and dazzle. Any idea you focus on long enough to appreciate and savor.

Grief

2009-06-29T05:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Grief. "I don't want to," the teenager whined. The moving van arrived at her family's house only two days after her high school graduation. Her mother asked her to finish packing her room. The teenager left the house, slammed the door, and her mother simply smiled. She knew her daughter felt things deeply, and she was grateful for a child who cared so much.

Holy

2009-06-26T07:19:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Holy. "Holy Vegetables," said the ten year old. Everyone at the farmer's market looked at him and smiled. He walked the endless rows of perfect shapes and colors touching, squeezing, smelling the summer's first production. He found his mother an hour later and said, "Mom, we've got to get this." He showed her the biggest eggplant she'd ever seen. "But you don't like vegetables," she reminded him. "I do right now," he said, and lead her to the collard greens.

Limp

2009-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Limp. The elephants had walked so far without finding any water, the little one's didn't look like they were going to make it. But the leader, no longer strong, limped on, and would until they found the river.

Will

2009-06-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Will. "Will can only do what will can do," said the Sage. "But I want to make things better," said the Student. "That is a good start," said the Sage. "So what do I do next?" Asked the Student. "Something more than want."

Wind

2009-06-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Wind. The three friends went on vacation and it never stopped raining. The wind blew so hard their cottage shook, seagulls got stuck in mid air, and the whistling at night made sleep impossible. They woke up every morning exhausted and cold. They laughed more that week than ever before.

Pour

2009-06-22T04:02:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Pour. "If it doesn't stop raining, everything is going to die," the young man said. "Yep," replied the old farmer. "But what are we doing to do?" "Till the field," said the old farmer. "But we already did that?" Said the young man. "Yep," said the farmer.

Chill

2009-06-19T04:38:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Chill. What would you do this weekend if you had a whole day to yourself? Imagine: Your mind is suddenly rid of all its worries and all you have to do, from an infinite bucket of possibilities, is choose how to rest. What will you do? Oh wait? Shouldn't this happen every weekend?

Rain

2009-06-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Rain. "Mom, can we go puddle stomping?" Said the boy. "No darling, I don't want to wash more cloths today." "No problem," said the boy. "I'll just stand out in the rain when we're done and you'll just have to use the dryer."

Early

2009-06-17T03:01:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Early. The monk rose before the sun. Dressed in his orange robes, he walked the narrow path up the mountain above his home. As the golden orb began to rise, gigantic, like a pancake on fire, he reached the top. He hated waking up early, and sitting on the summit, that thought never crossed his mind.

Hands

2009-06-16T04:53:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Hands. As the man and wife came home from dinner, their neighborhood was surrounded by police, fire trucks, and media. A lightening bolt had set a house on fire. Everyone was okay. Earlier in the day, the couple, driving on the highway, had nearly been run off the road by someone texting while driving. That night, the two sat on the porch and watched the stars holding hands.

Tax

2009-06-15T04:14:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Tax. The thing you pay. The first three letters of TAXi. The cost of running a country. The privilege of living in a community. What doing too much does to your soul.

Jackpot

2009-06-12T04:32:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Jackpot. "I just won the lottery," said the man waiting for the bus. The other man was in a business suit, and going to work. The other man asked, "Why are you riding the bus?" "Because I like it," said the winner. They stood quietly, watching the traffic. "What are you going to do now?" Asked the other man. Said the winner, "For the first time in my life, I'm not going to worry about it." What do you need right now to be happy wherever you are?

Connect

2009-06-11T05:04:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Connect. "How many ways are there to find enlightenment?" Asked the student. "You need only one," said the master.

Broken

2009-06-10T20:14:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Broken. The nurse said to the patient, "It doesn't look good." He said, "Depends where you're sitting." "Sir," the doctor added. "You don't have much time." "Depends on what I need to do." "Are you not worried?" The nurse pressed him. "Only about you, and your perspective on life." The patient smiled and enjoyed a sip of his coffee.

Mask

2009-06-09T05:19:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Mask. The stewardess did her usual routine. She smiled at the people in front of her as she clipped the seat belt together in the air. Her partner on the microphone told a joke about where they were flying today. She demonstrated how to put the oxygen mask on. Then, it happened. The woman on the microphone said, "And don't forget to put your mask on first before helping someone else." Did they realize they just offered the formula for enlightenment? If you're not breathing deep, your no good to anyone else.

Story

2009-06-08T04:56:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Story. Here goes: You have to produce the greatest story ever written if you want to save your love from your nemesis dropping her into a pit of solicitous anteaters. Now write yours: Only one rule: You only have thirty words.

Rainbow

2009-06-05T06:00:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Rainbow. "I just love those socks," said the friend. Her buddy was wearing rainbow socks. "Oh these? I got them when I was a kid," said the buddy. "No, they're really great," said the friend. She couldn't help staring at the woven technicolor. "My mom always said they were the color of my soul."

Gamble

2009-06-04T05:42:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Gamble. An old man sat with his daughter in the sun room of his nursing home. She said, "Dad, you have food on your shirt?" He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. They kept chatting. "Dad, you shouldn't talk so loud." He shrugged his shoulders and smiled. "Dad, I'm worried about you." The old man smiled again and said, "Did you notice the sun making the trees sparkle?" What's the riskiest thing you'd like to do? Climb a mountain? Quit your job? What about waking up in the morning and not worrying about what people think of you?

Draw

2009-06-03T04:45:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Draw. Picasso drew one-liners. He'd place his pencil on the page and then draw until the portrait, animal, or scene was complete. The pictures are an exotic diversity of squiggles and smooth lines. Bored in a meeting today? Draw your colleagues in one line. Wanting to get caught up in the moment? Observe something and recreate your fantasy version with one stroke of your pen.
*Note, this is not by Picasso, but in the same style found on Flickr.

Bad

2009-06-02T05:40:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Bad. "Dad, these pancakes taste like sawdust," said the Son. "I made them just like grandma used to," replied the Dad. "Yeah, except she made hers good." You and what you add to an experience are often the difference between bad and amazing!

Sneeze

2009-06-01T04:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Sneeze. "In the fall it's colds, in the winter it's flu, in the spring it's allergies," hurumphed the lady at the bus stop. "What's next?" She asked. Without looking up from his paper, the man standing next to her said, "Grumpopotamus flu." "What's that?" She sneezed as she asked the question. Still not looking up from his paper, he took one side step away from her. "It affects those who can't see the good that's always around them. Looks like you have it."

Vent

2009-05-29T07:06:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Vent. Do you walk in the door and pour out all your troubles? Are you the person in the office most likely to rant? How do you start the conversation? Venting is one of the great arts of mindfulness. To express what you really think and feel (but not alienate the person you're talking to or dump your crap all over their shoe) takes presence. The simple technique: Say, "I need to vent" before you go on your diatribe. Then you have told the world what you're about to say is not personal, and that you're in control of your emotions (and that's why you want to get rid of the bad ones).

End

2009-05-28T06:04:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: End. "I just want this to be over," said the young monk to himself, tired of so much meditation. An older monk was leaving the temple at the same time. He walked beside the young monk and said nothing. "Don't you have anything to say," said the frustrated student. The old monk smiled. "That moment already is over--for everyone but you."

Midnight

2009-05-27T20:13:00.002-07:00

Tonight's Bingo: Midnight. "This is the martini shot," the director yelled. The martini shot--the final set-up of the night. The star delivered his lines twelve different ways. He is a veteran and gifted. The clocks rolled toward midnight and the crew began clearing out the gear. They're filming in a new location tomorrow. The crew will work all night, until it is a new day. What is so precious to you, you'll work past midnight and smile between takes?

Bright

2009-05-27T20:13:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Bright. The man walks into the hall. He has just turned forty and all his friends and family have gathered for the party. As he looks around, most people aren't smiling. Throughout the evening, when he greets them personally, of course, they beam congratulations and good wishes. As he drove home, he promised himself he will smile more, whether he has reason or not.

Memory

2009-05-25T11:06:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Memory. "What is the first thing you remember?" The little girl asked. "My dad telling me that thunder was just the Gods bowling," the Grandfather replied. "What about you?" "I remember you buying me cotton candy at the fair." The old man thought for a moment. "You weren't even two." The little girl smiled. "It was a perfect day," said the girl.

Love

2009-05-22T04:56:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Love. The old man walked down the city street. He passed a couple outside a bar fighting. She screamed, "How could you?" The old man kept walking. Then he saw a well-dressed couple getting close in a doorway. She said, "Don't tell anyone." The old man kept walking. He passed a woman on a bench, her face sad. She looked up. The old man said, "May I sit down?" She nodded, paused, then said, "He left me." The old man smiled. "Tell me your story, and I bet we find that you're still worth loving."

Wrap

2009-05-21T06:09:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Wrap. The actors took their places. They delivered their lines again and again. The director gave instructions. When he saw exactly what he wanted, he screamed, "That's a wrap." The applause filled the air and everyone smiled.

Really

2009-05-20T18:04:00.000-07:00

Today's bingo: Really. The people you least expect will disappoint you. The people you least expect will exceed your expectations. Give people freedom and they will surprise you. When you really need someone, ask.

Swing

2009-05-19T05:55:00.000-07:00

Today's bingo: Energy. "Mommy, I'm tired," said the little girl. "Me too," said her mom. "What shall we do about it?" The little girl looked around at her house with so many things, the calendar on the fridge filled with dates, and the stack of homework on the kitchen table. She said, "Mommy, I'd like to go swing."

Stars

2009-05-18T19:23:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Stars. If you could meet all your favorite movie stars, who would you be? Would you make clever jokes? Would you be gracious? Would you just stay out of the way? The answer reveals who you are. When we're mindful, we're our comfortable selves--wherever we are, whoever we're with, because we're all worth loving.

Expectation

2009-05-15T04:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Expectation. "This is going to be the best day ever," said the four year old upon hearing that his aunt and uncle were staying for the entire day. What do you need to feel the same pleasure right now?

Respect

2009-05-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Respect. The lion walked into the jungle and said, "Who will let me eat them for dinner that I will spare their friends." A gazelle walked out and said, "If you can catch me, I will be your feast. But if you fail, you will never trouble this jungle again." For hundreds of years, the tale of 'The Chase' became the favorite bedtime story for all the young creatures.

Late

2009-05-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Late. "You're late," said the old man. "For what," said the child. "I forget," said the old man. "Good," said the child. "I like you better when you don't worry about little things."

Fabric

2009-05-12T04:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Fabric. The universe is an expanding fabric of stars, stretching what is into what wasn't. Silk can make a fabric, and so can cotton. It is also connection. It is the system that holds everything together. Is the fabric of your life love or something far less powerful?

Set

2009-05-11T12:23:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Set. Imagine your life as a movie. What would the set look like? Your perfect home, your favorite coffee shop, the overlook where you said "I love you." The crews would work all day to make it just as you directed. What can you do right now to make the places you spend your time ready for ACTION?

Bend

2009-05-08T10:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Bend. Did you know that a tree in a bio dome is weaker than a lone tree on the prairie. Without wind, the bio tree has never been tested. The tree on the plain, vulnerable to the elements, is able to bend without breaking. The mindful person does not worry about trouble because you know you will not break.

Exquisite

2009-05-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Exquisite. The tired man sat down at the kitchen table and his shoulders slumped. After an impossible day, he did not know what to do next. His daughter placed a plate of dinner in front of him: Eggs--the only thing she knew how to make. He forced a fork full into his mouth. He was about to swallow, when he paused, and slowed his chewing. He suddenly became careful, and tasted every bit. It was perfect. He looked at his daughter, completely confused and grateful. "I picked some fresh herbs." She smiled. "Everything can be made better."

Dove

2009-05-06T07:13:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Dove. Peace. Flight. Knowing that there is nothing more important than to feel free enough to watch the sky and forget the earth. A child let's go of her balloon as the bird takes off and she looks up and claps her hands saying, "Fly, fly."

Professor

2009-05-05T04:29:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Professor. She walks in the door like a matador, and then spins around the room with learning. Wisdom is her red cape. We cheer, and laugh, and wait for the next move. When the arguments have been made--the dance nearly complete--we know what comes next: She must kill our ignorance. It is always with a question. This day: Who teaches you?

Sky

2009-05-04T06:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Sky. "Grandpa," the child asked. "Why is the sky blue?" "Molecules in the sky scatter sunlight." "No, silly," replied the child. "I wasn't asking you. I wanted to make sure you knew. It's blue because Mother Nature ran out of the other colors when she was painting the world."

Off

2009-04-27T13:59:00.000-07:00

This Week's Bingo: Off. Bingo's going on break this week. Explore the archives. What is your favorite? Mine? Grumpy.

Grateful

2009-04-24T05:21:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Grateful. On the worst days, the good is still there like a single rose in the midst of thorny hedges. What are you grateful for? The layers of clouds and changing colors of the sky. Flowers on trees (really, watch any flower blooming on a tree. Gray bark is suddenly brandished with elegant, completely unexpected brightness--even though you know trees bloom each spring). You, in the mirror, even on your worst day, are a miracle.

Territory

2009-04-23T05:42:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Territory. It's mine; no, it's not; yes, it's mine. You fought with your brother over toys, your parents over the car, and now it's with your spouse about chores and your colleagues about projects. Start over: It's all ours. With that attitude, everything is an opportunity to build a relationship stronger.

Expert

2009-04-22T04:55:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Expert. She learned to dance when she was eight. Her grandfather was the best in her village, and once a runner-up in the national competition. She never competed, but for decades all the young men of town come for lessons with her. She is an expert at doing what she loves.

Relative

2009-04-21T05:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Relative. "How old is the universe?" The student asked. "It depends on your point of view." The Master replied. "How do you know?" The student wondered. "When you are sad, time stops. When you are in love, time disappears. The wise enjoy the accelerations."

Run

2009-04-20T06:12:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Run. (Hear Chariots of Fire playing in the background). You were made to run. To chase the wind and find the pure endorphin high of your body, in motion, flowing over rock and sand and pavement. You were not made to run around, chasing your tail, disconnected from right now. Today, be the wind.

Pilgrim

2009-04-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Pilgrim. It's a health plan. They started Thanksgiving (sort of). A pilgrim is anyone who goes on a spiritual journey. Pilgrims go away for their discovery. They have to walk ancient paths that someone else has deemed sacred (and that's very good). What can you discover today without leaving your chair?

Sage

2009-04-16T05:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Sage. Fried on top of shepherd's pie. An old guru with wise words. A color for your wall that brings balance. An old wise man ripped sage, gathered on his walk in the mountains, and tossed it into the night's stew. The young student asked expectantly, "What is the value of the herb?" The wise man replied, "It tastes good!"

Build

2009-04-15T05:10:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Build. The child asked his grandfather, "What is a meaningful life?" The Grandfather was busy repairing the chimney on his house. "I don't know," the Grandfather said. "But Grandpa, you have to know." The child insisted. "You're old." The Grandfather smiled and realized he did know. He said to his Grandson, "Help me fix this chimney."

Start

2009-04-14T05:29:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Start. You've never done it before? No problem: Start today. Eat fruit, walk, enjoy the best cup of coffee you've ever had (instead of six). Sit in one place for five minutes with nothing to do (it will be uncomfortable--until you notice the bird fly past your window, then the cloud that looks like a bunny, and the perfect tree that's always been there). Finding yourself all over again starts with one moment of awareness.

Freedom

2009-04-13T06:03:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Freedom. The dogs had been fighting all day: biting each other, growling, and it didn't look like they were having fun. Then their owner fed them, and they were best friends, as if nothing had happened. Freedom is dinner (and a short memory).

Good

2009-04-10T07:19:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Good. You are good. Doesn't matter what you've done, or will do. You have been paid for by a precious world that starts new. Every moment: rebirth. All you have to do is pause long enough to let the pain and stress pass, and your true nature will rise.

Bud

2009-04-09T10:28:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Bud. “Mommy, why do the flowers take so long to come out?” “Pretty things take time.” “But I’m already pretty mommy.” "And you're more beautiful every day!"

Curtain

2009-04-08T05:17:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Curtain. The seven year old was playing the goat in the school play. He had thrown up that morning with nerves. He had not eaten his lunch. When the teacher said, "Curtain, curtain, everybody ready?" to all her little animals, he thought to himself, "Yes!"

Pop

2009-04-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Pop. Dad. The sound the plastic wrapping makes when you step on it or squeeze the bubbles happily between your fingers. Singular of a sweet corn cereal. Fizz, Fizz, oh what a. In the interior of the country, you don't ask for soda: You drink pop.

Peeps

2009-04-06T04:37:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Peeps. The sweetest treat that comes once a year: Peeps. You either love them or hate them (and of course you can get other kinds of Peeps throughout the year, but those aren't really peeps, just colored sugar coated marshmellows--like a tomato that's not from summer looks like a tomato, but tastes like sawdust). But like so many of the best things, they are seasonal. They are precious because they are rare and temporary. Is today any different?

Clay

2009-04-03T06:26:00.000-07:00

Photo by Emily Van Nort

Today's Bingo: Clay. Gray. Sticky. An uncarved mess. Until it meets you. You are the potter. You channel your life into its shape. Your imagination, with your hands, a spade, and a wheel, are like the first hands, bringing all things into being. You can create in every moment, if you recognize every moment is hungry, in fact, yearning for creation.

Peak

2009-04-02T05:30:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Peak. The mountain climber reached the summit just as the sun crested the horizon. It was like looking over the edge of the earth. The climb back down was the most dangerous; and all she noticed, the only thing she cared about, was the light sparkling on her jacket.

Yellow

2009-04-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Yellow. The tips of daffodils rising from cold earth. Tennis balls. That Cold Play song from like 10 years ago. That submarine tune from like...oh who's counting. The legal pad where you will write a few great ideas. A slice of lemon in tart and sweet ade. Even yellow weeds are beautiful!

Pace

2009-03-31T05:50:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Pace. How fast can you go? (And not want to quit everything you're doing and move to a tropical island and because you're so burned out even hide your head in the sand there where no one can get to you and the only bother is that tree frog--Don't you love tree frogs--Mindfulness is never running past a tree frog...stop, listen, learn from their way of life...its all singin' and lovin'.) It's not about their pace; what's yours?

Generous

2009-03-30T05:46:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Generous. The woman walked into the coffee shop. She pulled out a twenty to pay for her coffee. The waitress only had singles and asked if she'd use her credit card. She did, but accidentally left without her twenty. She realized it later that day, and decided to let the universe decide who got the tip.

Cloud

2009-03-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Cloud. Could be tiny droplets of water. Could be frozen crystals. They float, and go where the winds take them. When you look in the sky, what do you see? Do you look long enough to let your imagination go to work?

(Comment on what the cloud looks like to you.)

Uneven

2009-03-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Uneven. The rolling ocean. Sandpaper. Frost heaves. (Did you know that asphalt actually rises up as winter ends in the north country and then settles again as temperatures regulate--and the pavement becomes smooth again?). Odd. Crazy. Unbalanced. Microscopically, even is nearly impossible. The lesson: enjoy the bumps.

Mushroom

2009-03-25T05:25:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Mushroom. On pizza. On top of steak. On top of raw greens with a warm dressing. They begin from something so small and find their way into the strangest of places. Some are dangerous. All of them are recyclers. The purpose of a mushroom is to digest leaves and other organic refuse. They can turn a leaf into soil in three or four weeks. Be a fungi with all the dead parts of your life.

Fix

2009-03-24T05:45:00.001-07:00

Today's Bingo: Fix. A smoke. A drink. Someone who loves me back. A quick high. Anything, anything that will take away the ugly monsters running around in my head (they think they own the place). One thing leads to another, and fatigue becomes frustration and doubt. And then, you look up and see something priceless. Sky, moon, star, and you say, "Thank you!" "I need a fix," said the old man. "For what?" Asked his Grandson, "You're not broken."

Jubilee

2009-03-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Jubilee. A big party. In the old world, every fifty years they get rid of all the debt. Back to the party. Dance. Sing. Be completely thoughtless because this moment is so good. Yes. Thoughtless. Not without care, but without worry, fear, or anger. Be like a balloon fresh from a child's hand racing towards the clouds and enjoy every moment of the freedom.

Two

2009-03-20T06:10:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Two. Pairs. Twins. Couples. It is the sides of things: the yin yang, rivalry, and enemies. It takes two: To tango. To play chess. To hold hands. It is the number of parity (because 1 has to equal 1 to make two), and sharing (when you have two you can share one). Notice where you see two and pause and smile, especially when the 1 + 1 is you and someone you love.

Steady

2009-03-19T05:54:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Steady. A balance beam. A conversation where someone has lost their mind. A doctor performing surgery. Comforting a child after a bad dream. Pulling a souffle out of the oven. Walking the plank--wait, if you're walking the plank, you're shark food so dive off and enjoy. And when facing moments where steady matters, nothing else matters; but be easy on yourself because being that focused takes practice.

Empty

2009-03-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Empty. The fish escaped and so did the sun. Nothing would go where it was supposed to stay. We want. We need. Please don't let me be alone. You're not. You can't hold onto a moment, but you never have to miss it.

Sunrise

2009-03-17T04:31:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Sunrise. Day light savings time. The sunrise on normal time. It's not like the old days when you had to wake up early to see it. The sun. Bursting. New light. Giddy life turning towards what they need. Grateful hearts for a new morning where something beautiful is always waiting.

Read

2009-03-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Today's Bingo: Read. In a rocking chair, your mother reading your favorite story. The corner of the library where you'd hide during lunch (or sneak a kiss), and spend minutes lost in other worlds. Every letter, every word, an adventure, a mystery, a romance, just waiting for you to imagine and be completely absorbed.

Giraffe

2009-03-13T08:56:00.000-07:00

Photo (and art) by Emily Van Nort

Today's Bingo: Giraffe. Noble creature. Gigantic lope. Relic of the dinosaurs gene pool. Happy children at the zoo. They like leaves. They can feed a village. Don't tell the children at the zoo they can feed a village (unless they're older and they like that stuff). What amazing creature have you considered today?