Good Karma Music Stories

I am a teacher by profession. I teach first grade school children in a California public school and this is my 20th year. This year has been exceptionally hard for young kids as everyone has to do distance learning in my school district. To liven things up and make my class zoom lessons more interesting, I decided to incorporate thematic teaching with Sharing that kids can do. So in October, they shared the different colors of fall leaves they can find and made leaf books. For November, we did stories on the meaning of Thanksgiving – what we are thankful for, and I shared the unfertilized egg from a mourning dove that was left on my bird feeder (I give out bird seeds daily). Perhaps that’s their way of showing gratitude, lol.. For December, we did the meaning of Christmas (sharing kindness with family and friends). An injured bird stayed in my backyard seeking shelter for 3 days and night, until one night the temperatures dropped to low 40s. I didn’t see it again the next day. I also shared pics of earthworms that ventured out from the rain and told them not to step on any. And not to squish ladybugs. They all belong to nature. This way, the students are also inadvertently learning all the vocabulary and required skills, in a fun way and also understanding the importance of being kind. I hope by teaching young minds that if we show kindness to sentient beings, it will provide the opportunity for them to practice and earn kindness in return. They always love to see my pictures and realia on kindness in zoom class!

As a DRBU Masters Course graduate student, there is always a vivid memory of my time there beating strongly inside my grateful heart, especially after having left California so abruptly and unexpectedly due to COVID-19.
Back home, having left everything, and wanting to immerse myself in “retreat-mode” to be able to sink in everything that I learned and experienced in DRBU, I suddenly found myself faced to the reality of the demands of such situation.
So my expectations of a peaceful retreat disolved as the number of people I had to begin to help psychotherapeutically for free increased dramatically.
I had so much wanted to have the time to go through my texts and notes again, so as to “not forget” what I had seen in my Course!
But my sealed commitment as a mental health provider was and has been the priority.
The months have gone by, and continuos, profound psychotherapeutic and academic work are still very much needed as a free contribution in my country, now.
Therefore, no time left for reviews of my classical texts, and I began to feel somewhat nostalgic and overwhelmed, asking myself when would that time come so that I could feel my teachings “close”.
But then, previous patients of mine, some of the new ones, and especially my relatives and sons, told me how inspired they were by the “results of my DRBU Retreat”, and that my non-profit help had inspired them to do the same with their own activities, circumstance that had made them feel and think that it was precisely what the world needed now more than ever before, and that they would continue doing so for good.
Generosity, Loving-Kindness, Forgiveness, and Gratitude…
Paying forward…
Aren´t those some of the abodes we should always dwell in, everywhere, everytime?

I was fortunate to work at a company where I received a free lunch each working day during the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides getting a free lunch, I also get to take another free vegetarian lunch box home if there’s any left over by the end of the day. One day on my way home, I saw a homeless man about middle age drove a bicycle to his tent which camped next to the freeway entrance. Within a split second, I thought to myself, how fortunate I am to have free lunch at work and even get to take home a second free meal sometimes. I was overwhelmed with so much gratitude and blessings and decided to share my blessings with the homeless man. I safely stopped my car where he was, rolled the window down, and gave him the vegetarian lunch box. He smiled at me and said “Thank you. God blesses you.” I replied “You’re welcome, hope you enjoy the meal,” and off I drove. I was able to stop by the second and third time to give him more snacks, fruits, and a meal before I got transferred to a new work site. The joy of giving intensifies each time I give. It’s similar to giving the “self” away each time you give like Reverence HS mentioned. I feel so much lighter and happier than before when I give a piece of my “self” away.

Sent individual emails to students who are graduating this semester and let them know their precious qualities and wishes each of them a joyful and rewarding life!

I sponsored gifts for children who are in need for this holiday. I volunteered to sponsor 4 children. I spoke to my housemate about this wonderful event that my coworker is doing. She happily sponsored 1 child. It was a wonderful thing to spread the love and compassion to these young kids. Their smiles and joys are priceless. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do good deeds in this wonderful time of the year. Wishing everyone have a wonderful holidays. Stay healthy and be safe.

This is a little long winded, but a true story. There is a certain type of personality (reminds me of a family member) that can be harsh, judgmental, perfectionist, bossy, and critical (let me also add makes mountains out of mole hills and complains) that triggers a strong uncomfortable emotion in me. I had a coworker that I would see day in and day out that had this personality. We had a fall out and the tension between us with immense. I prayed and meditated, but still the tension persisted. I was so uncomfortable that I left that site and transferred to another site, hoping my coworkers would be easier to get along with. Yes, overall, my coworkers were pleasing, but, low and behold, the person I would work with day and day out, had the same type of temperament as the person before. But, now the students I worked with demonstrated the same behavior. I had students who would cursed at me daily. I lasted a year. I tried another site and low and behold same kind of temperament, personality, but just a different face. I realized this is something I had to work through and it was not going away. Everywhere I went I came across a person who was super judgmental, grumpy, bossy, critical, complains, and a perfectionist (meaning they did things really well , a certain way, and that is the way everyone should do it). I asked for my transfer back to the original site. I asked for the transfer in May and knew that I had 3 months to start working through this and prepare. I contacted a good friend and mentor. Daily, we would meditate and journal about things that were getting in my way of serenity. I started meditating more, praying (mantras), sessions, and transfer. Meditate, pray, and transfer. Meditate, pray, and transfer. I started work and it was rough. I am the supervisor of this person and the power struggle began. But, this time I yielded and when needed, set a boundary with kindness. I also meditated on, “Listen, do not react. No need to respond. When appropriate ask, ‘What do you need?” It took 3 months until there was a breakthrough, a relief. It is not perfect, but much better. The coworker and I go on regular hikes on a mountain behind our school, often share vegetarian lunches we bring from home, and there is a fostering sense of ease between us. I still continue to transfer merit. Maybe it is my imagination, but there are times I forget to transfer merit and the day is not as smooth. It is as if it gets hooked or snagged on things. I will continue to transfer merit. The bits of freedom (me not reacting no matter who is there and what is said) I have experienced are worth the effort.

Yesterday I supported a program organized by a youth group from a local Buddhist temple by donating some winter coats. These youths are collecting winter clothing and then help to distribute it to people who needs it. They were very thoughtful by reminding us to wash the clothes first and carefully label all items and to follow all the safety precaution measures during this pandemic time when we drop off the items. I applause the good deeds these youth are doing!