Gratitude and Giving

[Mp]

“Similarly, the offering of only one coin or a blade of grass can cause the arising of good, for the teaching itself is the True Treasure and the True Treasure is the very teaching: we must never desire any reward and we must always share everything we have with others. It is an act of charity to build a ferry or a bridge and all forms of industry are charity if they benefit others.” ~ Dogen Zenji

Hello my fellow Treeleafers,

I hope you are all well and the 2015 is bringing much joy to you and your families. The Global Days of Service are upon us again, well actually, they never leave us. They are there always there when we are engaged with our family members, our neighbours, co-workers, and strangers.

Today is a beautiful sunny day on the West Coast of British Columbia. Thoughts of flowers blooming, grass soon needing to be cut, etc. But not all communities or places in this world are facing this kind of weather. Some areas are being hit with record snowfalls and very cold temperatures. So what can we do? How can we engage in our communities and give back?

Simple acts of gratitude and giving are everywhere … if your community is hit by a snowstorm, maybe help shovel that extra snow off their sidewalk or driveway. Clean the snow off their vehicle. Help someone maneuver through the maze of snowbanks. Or maybe consider donating those extra blankets or winter jackets to folks who maybe having to face those cold temperatures. Even here on the West Coast we also have ways to support and give back. Helping someone remove the extra dead leaves and junk from the lawns, gutters, cleaning the winter mold and mildew off the sides of their homes, etc. One of the projects I do in my community at this time of year is help my neighbour turn and prepare his soil for the coming spring. He has a ton of flower and veggie beds … so it is hard work and not always the most pleasant thing to be doing, but the reward and the gratitude on his face when all is said and done, is priceless!

So everyone, I again look forward to the changing of seasons and the changing of peoples lives when we engage and support one another. If you have any wonderful ideas to share and support, please feel free. Also know that task may not call to you and that is ok … there are many ways we can help and give back. So please don’t feel pressured. =)

Thank you all again for the wonderful efforts you do … you truly are a beautiful bunch. =)

P.S. A shout out to Lisa for sharing a wonderful idea to help folks with blindness or limited vision. This I feel is truly is a beautiful way to give, as I could only image some of the fear and disconnect one may feel with vision lose.

Lending Yours Eyes to the Blind - http://www.treeleaf.org/forums/showt...s-to-the-Blind

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday

[Yugen]

Shingen,
Thank you for this wonderful reminder and perspective.

Here in Maine we have had the most severe winter possibly on record - our roof is heavy with snow and we have ice dams on the roof's edge - these prevent melting snow from draining and the water is then forced between the shingles and leaks into the house through the ceilings and window frames. The weight of the snow also threatens to collapse the roof....

I have been using a tool unique to the northern latitudes known as the snow rake to pull snow off the roof. I also clean off my neighbors' roof as they are elderly and cannot handle the exertion. Sunday I spent all dray clearing ice for both our roofs. This is almost a daily task right now given he subzero cold and almost daily snow fall. I used to ice climb when I was younger so feel quite at home on a ladder or on an angled roof with an axe.

I enjoy this service without expectation of return - enterprising workers are charging several hundred dollars for roof clearing - I spent my Sunday doing this and enjoying a rare sunny day - my neighbors treated me to a piece of pie and warm gratitude.

Thank you for organizing and inspiring us Shingen.

Deep bows
Yugen


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Shugen]

Hello all,

It is Lenten season. We have a young, socially engaged priest at the church we attend For the next 30 days he has created a program that focuses on the problem of childhood hunger in America. It is specifically aimed at teaching the children of the congregation. (There are about 6 kids involved including my two sons. There are also the parents of the children and three or four other adults in the group). We started last Sunday evening by watching the documentary "A Place at the Table". Afterwards we discussed it and were made aware of some of the issues in the local schools. It was very eye opening! During future, meetings, we will be taking a tour of a local food bank and volunteering at a local "soup kitchen".

If you look for them, there are opportunities for service all around. It does not need to be made into a major undertaking. Simple kindness can go an incredibly long way...

Gassho,

Shugen

#sattoday


Shugen

[Mp]

If you look for them, there are opportunities for service all around. It does not need to be made into a major undertaking. Simple kindness can go an incredibly long way...

Yes! ... and

I enjoy this service without expectation of return ...

Yes!


Thank you Yugen and Shugen for your thoughtful experiences! =)

Gassho
Shingen

SatToday

[Troy]

I would like to mention Google's 'One Today' app. It gives daily recommendations for donations to various non-profits based on your preferences. Then all you do is push a button and it donates a dollar to the cause. You can donate more if you want and most the time others will match your donation.


..sat2day•

[Joyo]

I have decided to dedicate to take part of my next pay cheque and buy a bunch of cat and dog food for our local animal shelter.

Gassho,
Joyo
sat today