Happy #caturday friends! This is little Vrtti cat. He says the first rule of being a cat is do not obey in advance. He says this is also a good rule for people when dealing with authoritarians. Unless those authoritarians are cats. He insists you should obey #cats. Wanna be tyrants? Not so much.

When a week feels like years, Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in. As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out. Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.

Today is the 80th anniversary of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It’s a great day for contemplation and to remember, in the words of the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, that “there is no way to peace, peace is the way.”

When a week feels like years, Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in. As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out. Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.

Dear friends, I know that many people are having a tough week. Here's a mindfulness survival kit I put together for feeling a little more centered, connected, and grounded when the world is on fire. Always happy to connect! Thank you for all that you are doing. #mindfulness #democracy #resist

I'm publishing a book in Feb 2026, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World with Parallax Press (started by the beloved Thich Nhat Hanh). I have a new Substack exploring interdependence—would love you to join me! adeclarationofinterdependence.substack.com

In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?

How are you doing dear friends? Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in. As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out. Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.

Hi friends, Here’s a poem I wrote on mindful democracy and interdependence for this holiday. Hope that you are safe and well and surrounded by love today. #democracy #poetry #mindfulness #independence

It used to be a civic tradition to give Fourth of July orations. If you were asked to give such a speech tomorrow—and it had to be an affirmative speech that outlined what you stand for and an inspirational speech that rallied people together and onward for the good—what would you say?

War is bad. #peace

The Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s message is particularly relevant today— There is no way to peace. Peace is the way. #plumvillage

War is bad. #peace

Happy Summer Solstice! A good day to Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you inhale, say to yourself, I am here. As you exhale, say to yourself, I belong. You belong, and I am glad you’re here! (Sunrise from Thich Nhat Hanh’s deck at #plumvillage)

Happy Summer Solstice! A good day to Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you inhale, say to yourself, I am here. As you exhale, say to yourself, I belong. You belong, and I am glad you’re here! (Sunrise from Thich Nhat Hanh’s deck at #plumvillage)

Friends—I don’t care about the bluster of blowhards or wanna-be dictators. You belong, just as you are, and I’m glad you’re here. The unity that suppresses community is not true unity. The oneness that denies diversity is not true oneness. The strength build on hate is not true strength. #love

When days feels like years, Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in. As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out. Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.

In dark and challenging times, I remember that there is still goodness in the world. Right now I find hope in the fact that there are people out there, like you, who care, and who want to make the world a more just, welcoming, inclusive, and safe place. Thank you for all you do—a big hug to you!

When 100 days feels like years, Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in. As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out. Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.

Power is out after a big storm in central Pennsylvania. How’s everyone else doing tonight? What are you up to? Saw this sign floating in the middle of a river in Vietnam, is very appropriate right now! A good time to take a deep breath, feel the earth under your feet, and just be here now.

Power is out after a big storm in central Pennsylvania. How’s everyone else doing tonight? What are you up to? Saw this sign floating in the middle of a river in Vietnam, is very appropriate right now! A good time to take a deep breath, feel the earth under your feet, and just be here now.

This is little Vrtti. He’s invested in resisting tyranny and says you should be too. So he says stand out, be independent, be compassionate, care about justice, and set an example—that’s how you break the status quo, and others will follow. But not cats. They don’t follow anyone. Happy #caturday!

You can’t have democracy without libraries. Democracy is a practice. It starts at the local level by building connection and community. So today on international book day check out what’s going on at your local branch! Reading, learning, listening, chatting, connecting—this is democracy.

Hope you have a nice day everyone!Today I’m practicing love, kindness, community, and remembering that there is still beauty and wonder in the world. Take good care!

Happy #caturday friends! This is little Vrtti cat. He says the first rule of being a cat is do not obey in advance. He says this is also a good rule for people when dealing with authoritarians. Unless those authoritarians are cats. He insists you should obey cats. Wanna be tyrants? Not so much.

There is so much to stand against right now. So today I’m feeling a strong urge to stand FOR justice, compassion, inclusion, community, love, and the earth. And for you, dear friends. What do you stand for? Thinking of you fondly, and sending you a big Walt Whitman-sized hug of multitudes.

Community building Wednesday—fine folks to follow! @bill-maxwell.bsky.social @bluthrunthru.bsky.social @fireeyebooks.bsky.social @theogccd.bsky.social @raykwong.bsky.social @qm-b.bsky.social @fredbluevoter.bsky.social @ltwlauren.bsky.social @bluestormcomin1.bsky.social @markymark757.bsky.social

Friends—I don’t care about the bluster of blowhards or executive orders. You belong, just as you are, and I’m glad you’re here. The unity that suppresses community is not true unity. The oneness that denies diversity is not true oneness. The strength build on hate is not true strength. #love

How are you doing dear friends? Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in. As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out. Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.

TY Sunday Party Hosts! @liberalgigi.bsky.social @pattyger.bsky.social @girlwithapoll.bsky.social @jfordemocracy.bsky.social @blueresister.bsky.social @oceangirl19.bsky.social @liberalwarrior.bsky.social @coco.bsky.social @ltwlauren.bsky.social @filosia.bsky.social @bluestormcomin1.bsky.social

Community building Sunday—give these fine folks a follow! @lindapatch.bsky.social @andreadevon.bsky.social @bluebird4us.bsky.social @georgewachsmuth.bsky.social @auntren.bsky.social @ellilanderson.bsky.social @bluthrunthru.bsky.social @thisdudeabides.bsky.social @simplyskye.bsky.social

Community building Sunday—give these fine folks a follow! @freddierose.bsky.social @theogccd.bsky.social @pattyger.bsky.social @chantingcrow.bsky.social @northjules.bsky.social @ltwlauren.bsky.social @fireeyebooks.bsky.social @coffeeshopsage.bsky.social @janeylou.bsky.social @ladybug014.bsky.social

Community building Sunday—give these fine folks a follow! @eggzbacn.bsky.social @sierraheart.bsky.social @jen-notjenny.bsky.social @thegoldfishmind.bsky.social @mkabir.bsky.social @michaeleichner.bsky.social @normajeen.bsky.social @msmarysr.bsky.social @laurieagard.bsky.social @bishopx50.bsky.social

Good morning friends! I am finishing up a draft of my new book that will be published in Feb 26 by Parallax Press, the press the Zen master and poet Thich Nhat Hanh began. Do you like this title? Warmly welcome thoughts and suggestions! Declaration of Interdependence: A Guide to Mindful Democracy

Community building Wednesday—give these fine folks a follow! @lindapatch.bsky.social @andreadevon.bsky.social @bluebird4us.bsky.social @auntren.bsky.social @ellilanderson.bsky.social @northjules.bsky.social @bluthrunthru.bsky.social @jbluemusic.bsky.social @georgewachsmuth.bsky.social

Community building Wednesday—give these fine folks a follow! @freddierose.bsky.social @theogccd.bsky.social @pattyger.bsky.social @chantingcrow.bsky.social @filosia.bsky.social @ltwlauren.bsky.social @fireeyebooks.bsky.social @coffeeshopsage.bsky.social @bluestormcomin1.bsky.social

Community building Wednesday—give these fine folks a follow! @lindapatch.bsky.social @andreadevon.bsky.social @bluebird4us.bsky.social @auntren.bsky.social @ellilanderson.bsky.social @northjules.bsky.social @bluthrunthru.bsky.social @jbluemusic.bsky.social @georgewachsmuth.bsky.social

How are you doing dear friends? Take a mindful breath. Feel the earth under your feet. Be where you are. As you inhale, say to yourself, I am here. As you exhale, say to yourself, I belong. You belong, and I am glad you’re here! (Sunrise from Thich Nhat Hanh’s deck at #plumvillage June ‘24)

Community building Sunday—give these fine folks a follow! @georgewachsmuth.bsky.social @coffeeshopsage.bsky.social @jen-notjenny.bsky.social @wpmacmason.bsky.social @freddierose.bsky.social @theogccd.bsky.social @olszewskijc1891.bsky.social @athenaspeaks.bsky.social @filosia.bsky.social

Community building Sunday—give these fine folks a follow! @bevilacquapalesky.bsky.social @sltfain.bsky.social @marieresists1.bsky.social @everlily24.bsky.social @arlie.bsky.social @claynobles.bsky.social @bluebird4us.bsky.social @creddingvye.bsky.social @michaeleichner.bsky.social

Community building Sunday. Give these fine folks a follow! @jstmeinmo.bsky.social @mcpuggins.bsky.social @yecats47.bsky.social @chantingcrow.bsky.social @lindapatch.bsky.social @pattyger.bsky.social @roray1010.bsky.social @andreadevon.bsky.social @thegoldfishmind.bsky.social @northjules.bsky.social

It’s time for a day of mindfulness. Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to: Breathe mindfully Pay attention Resist enemyship Say a kind word Do yoga Drink my tea Play a game Cook a healthy meal Go for a mindful walk Smile Not be “productive”