I’m so glad you included a walking meditation. I’ve only tried walking a few times because I got a little wobbly the first time I did it, just walking back and forth. I’m glad Sharon mentioned how to not lose your balance!
I just love your Substack, thank you. Once again I will miss the Live tonight. Headed to see Chris Botti, so I will definitely meditate to his beautiful music. I look forward to getting the recorded Live. Have a lovely day. 🌟
In the quiet hours of dusk, when shadows whispered soft and low,
A task was handed down to me, a challenge I had yet to know.
“Go forth,” they said, “and do this deed. It’s yours to see it through.”
Yet there I stood, in silent thought, with time’s constraints and fear’s taboo.
I could’ve seized the moment then, with courage in my heart.
I would’ve woven wonders. I would’ve crafted art.
If only I should’ve braved the storm and dared to take the leap.
Instead, I watched the minutes fade, as dreams and doubts did steep.
I could’ve scaled the heights unknown and touched the stars above.
I would’ve danced with destiny, I would’ve cherished love.
If only I should’ve faced my fears and let my spirit soar.
Perhaps I’d find the strength within, to open every door.
I could’ve harnessed fire’s light and shaped it in my hands.
I would’ve spun a tale of hope on life’s vast shifting sands.
If only I should’ve walked that road, and left regret behind,
I’d find the peace in knowing, that life is undefined.
Now here I sit in quiet thought with lessons carved in time.
I could’ve chased the fleeting dream. I would’ve made it mine.
If only I should’ve held the pen and wrote my story clear.
Instead, I linger in the past where “if onlys” reappear.
But life is not a tale of woe nor chains that bind my soul,
For in each moment here and now, I still can play my role.
I could’ve, would’ve, should’ve learned that time is always new.
And every task and every dream, begins with what I do.
So let me rise with strength reborn and cast aside my fear.
I will embrace the tasks at hand, with purpose strong and clear.
For in the echoes of the past the future’s seeds are sown.
And in the journey here and now, true growth is always shown.
Subscribe to Pepper Miller
Launched 10 days ago
I'm an eighty-year-old white man, married to my lovely wife for 56 wonderful years. I teach two Poetry and Creative Writing classes at the Senior Action Center in Greenville, SC.
Having taught high school English over 50 years ago, I never thought I'd be teaching again at the age of eighty years. I am a member of the Senior Action Center in Greenville, SC, and teach two classes to our elders. One class is for my group called Poetry People, and the other class is Creative Writing.
My Poetry People consists of twelve seniors with a total of 840 years of memories, both glad and sad. Some entries are metered poems and others are prose. I have authored a poetry anthology of 296 of our entries numbering 327 pages. We have just published and delivery of our hardback books is Jan. 16, 2025. Amazon carries both the hardback and a Kindle E-edition. Hardbacks are $18.99 and the virtual Kindle edition is $9.99. Barnes and Noble stores are also selling it at the same hardback price.
As a new member of Substack, I would appreciate any comments and recommendations.
We, as seniors, have so much to impart for living life and loving our fellow men and ladies.
Dan, how do you do your walking meditation? Do you use a mantra? Focus on your breath? This was my first one & it works for me. I will make it a daily practice. Thanks to you & your team. I subscribed in September & it has been a “godsend “ through these difficult times.
So I didn’t want to do this meditation today but I am so glad I did!!! Helped ground me and remind me that my horrid, abusive thoughts about myself and worry about the future doesn’t serve me!! One step at a time….
Grateful to you Dan, for this challenge! Your meditation and today’s are the two that resonated for me — the others were a struggle. But I so appreciate this challenge. It was taught me a lot about my practice. And that I just need to keep going.
And love this community!! All you humans are fantastic. ❤️❤️❤️
My first walking meditation. I assume it will take many more before it clicks. If I'm understanding correctly, just walk, but pay attention to the walking. If I get distracted by thoughts, acknowledge them, but return to paying attention to the walking.
Hey Erica, I believe you return to substack and at 7ET you'll see Dan on the screen with Live in the corner of the screen. Also if you're receiving emails about the NY challenge there will be a link to click. I've done it both ways. Hope this helps.. Take care.
I’m so glad you included a walking meditation. I’ve only tried walking a few times because I got a little wobbly the first time I did it, just walking back and forth. I’m glad Sharon mentioned how to not lose your balance!
Thanks, Dan. Looking forward to the work around the inauguration. As a Brit, I will need it too so thank you!
I just love your Substack, thank you. Once again I will miss the Live tonight. Headed to see Chris Botti, so I will definitely meditate to his beautiful music. I look forward to getting the recorded Live. Have a lovely day. 🌟
❤️🙏❤️ thanks for all you do! Love Granny in Nola⚜️⚜️⚜️
POETRY AND PROSE: A CONUNDRUM
Would've, Could've, Should've
Pepper Miller
Jan 05, 2025
In the quiet hours of dusk, when shadows whispered soft and low,
A task was handed down to me, a challenge I had yet to know.
“Go forth,” they said, “and do this deed. It’s yours to see it through.”
Yet there I stood, in silent thought, with time’s constraints and fear’s taboo.
I could’ve seized the moment then, with courage in my heart.
I would’ve woven wonders. I would’ve crafted art.
If only I should’ve braved the storm and dared to take the leap.
Instead, I watched the minutes fade, as dreams and doubts did steep.
I could’ve scaled the heights unknown and touched the stars above.
I would’ve danced with destiny, I would’ve cherished love.
If only I should’ve faced my fears and let my spirit soar.
Perhaps I’d find the strength within, to open every door.
I could’ve harnessed fire’s light and shaped it in my hands.
I would’ve spun a tale of hope on life’s vast shifting sands.
If only I should’ve walked that road, and left regret behind,
I’d find the peace in knowing, that life is undefined.
Now here I sit in quiet thought with lessons carved in time.
I could’ve chased the fleeting dream. I would’ve made it mine.
If only I should’ve held the pen and wrote my story clear.
Instead, I linger in the past where “if onlys” reappear.
But life is not a tale of woe nor chains that bind my soul,
For in each moment here and now, I still can play my role.
I could’ve, would’ve, should’ve learned that time is always new.
And every task and every dream, begins with what I do.
So let me rise with strength reborn and cast aside my fear.
I will embrace the tasks at hand, with purpose strong and clear.
For in the echoes of the past the future’s seeds are sown.
And in the journey here and now, true growth is always shown.
Subscribe to Pepper Miller
Launched 10 days ago
I'm an eighty-year-old white man, married to my lovely wife for 56 wonderful years. I teach two Poetry and Creative Writing classes at the Senior Action Center in Greenville, SC.
Love me some Sharon Salzberg. Thank you for this, Dan!
This made my week - thank you!
Moving eases my anxiety. I love Sharon's suggestions. Thank you
Thanks for a wonderful meditation challenge. Looking forward to our next renegade sangha
Wondering where I post my question for tonight's live session?
STREAMS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
Inbox
Pepper Miller <peppermiller3011@gmail.com>
Attachments
1:37 PM (1 hour ago)
to me
ANTHOLOGY FRONT COVER (1).JPG
Front cover of our hardback anthology
Having taught high school English over 50 years ago, I never thought I'd be teaching again at the age of eighty years. I am a member of the Senior Action Center in Greenville, SC, and teach two classes to our elders. One class is for my group called Poetry People, and the other class is Creative Writing.
My Poetry People consists of twelve seniors with a total of 840 years of memories, both glad and sad. Some entries are metered poems and others are prose. I have authored a poetry anthology of 296 of our entries numbering 327 pages. We have just published and delivery of our hardback books is Jan. 16, 2025. Amazon carries both the hardback and a Kindle E-edition. Hardbacks are $18.99 and the virtual Kindle edition is $9.99. Barnes and Noble stores are also selling it at the same hardback price.
As a new member of Substack, I would appreciate any comments and recommendations.
We, as seniors, have so much to impart for living life and loving our fellow men and ladies.
peppermiller3011@gmail.com
image.png
Dan, how do you do your walking meditation? Do you use a mantra? Focus on your breath? This was my first one & it works for me. I will make it a daily practice. Thanks to you & your team. I subscribed in September & it has been a “godsend “ through these difficult times.
So I didn’t want to do this meditation today but I am so glad I did!!! Helped ground me and remind me that my horrid, abusive thoughts about myself and worry about the future doesn’t serve me!! One step at a time….
Grateful to you Dan, for this challenge! Your meditation and today’s are the two that resonated for me — the others were a struggle. But I so appreciate this challenge. It was taught me a lot about my practice. And that I just need to keep going.
And love this community!! All you humans are fantastic. ❤️❤️❤️
My first walking meditation. I assume it will take many more before it clicks. If I'm understanding correctly, just walk, but pay attention to the walking. If I get distracted by thoughts, acknowledge them, but return to paying attention to the walking.
I am an old person who needs hand holding when it comes to online resources. Could someone explain how I access the live event tonight?
Hi Erika! The one thing you do need to do is download the Substack app. You will get an alert on your phone when Dan starts the live.
Hey Erica, I believe you return to substack and at 7ET you'll see Dan on the screen with Live in the corner of the screen. Also if you're receiving emails about the NY challenge there will be a link to click. I've done it both ways. Hope this helps.. Take care.