I like it!

Well put, Matt. Getting beyond dualistic thinking is not something I really comprehend, but that is at the crux of Buddhism.

Glad you liked the post, Dana (and that you found it three years later - impressive!)

Well in that case, it's not so good. We are usually carving our pumpkin on Halloween afternoon or maybe the day before if we're really on our game, so they don't get a chance to go moldy :-)

I've heard from people who did read the entire book that the excerpt was indeed the most controversial part, that in the book she describes how her methods worked flawlessly for her first daughter but not so well for her second, and that she had to adjust. It certainly did get everyone talking though!

Thanks, Marla! And yes, you are spot on. I will still be weaving those elements of kindness, curiosity and humor into my new blog, so many of the things that people have told me they love about Thoughts Happen will continue. Thanks for your encouragement this weekend on the Two Days to Write intensive.

Thanks for the comment Elizabeth! I'm glad you've found writing down what you do to be a helpful tool. It takes some discipline, but I think it's more than worth it.

Thanks for the comment, Ingrid. It's surprising, isn't it, when something that in another context would be considered a pest instead stirs our compassion.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Shirley. Thanks for commenting!

Thanks for the comment, Chris. And I know exactly what you mean about searching for the perfect app. Often looking for a way to do something easier can be an incredible time waster! There is a point of diminishing returns at some point and you just have to cut your losses and go with the low-tech, old school solution. Let me know if you do it - I'd love to know how it goes.

Thanks for the comment, Chris! And yes, I know exactly what you mean about searching for the perfect app. Finding a way to do something an easier way can be an incredible time waster! At some point there is a point of diminishing returns and the low-tech, old school way is your best bet. Good luck with the project, and post again when you finish.

That's awesome! I love that she is still in the scene as she ages (gracefully!)

Yes! And there is a funny story about that. I was giving a talk to my daughter's 7th grade class for Career Day about being a writer. My daughter had told me that this particular teacher was pretty strict and ran a tight ship, but it seemed to be going pretty well. Then a student asked what was the hardest part about being a writer. I immediately thought about having to go through the Shitty First Draft phase, but of course I knew I couldn't use those words, so instead I said something like, "well when I sit down to write something, I usually think that the first draft is pretty crappy," and then I went on. Afterwards my daughter said that nobody could believe I actually said that, and she thought the teacher was going to "poop a brick," because apparently "crappy" was Not Ok to say in class. But the teacher never let on, and thanked me sincerely (at least I think so) at the end of class!

Thanks, Alex! You never know what will catch on, I guess ...

Yes, I was originally going to get some notecards, but when I saw the notebook I couldn't resist. Plus this way I don't have to give it away!

Oh my! It would be hard to top that. Thank goodness your husband was in it for the long haul. And congratulations, by the way!

Funny, I'm reading a book right now called "The Sound on the Page: Great Writers talk about Style and Voice in Writing," that argues that Srunk and White had it all wrong, at least as far as producing stylistically interesting writing. Grammatically correct and clear writing, yes, but dry. So maybe she had the right idea all along!

Jennifer this made me laugh - I can totally see you having a Chem. notebook bonfire ;-) And I didn't know you were such a geek at heart! Don't feel bad about being an anti-hoarder — you will be better off than us natural hoarders as we all get older, I think. But it's funny that your daughter seems the opposite. Mine is not sentimental about stuff like that at all yet, and prods me to throw things away.

Glad you liked it, Stacy. When you think about it, it's kind of a miracle if any of us end up doing what we thought we would when we were in high school. Things seemed so certain then, but I'm kind of glad they weren't as certain as we thought. Leaves more room for surprises.

Thanks, Doug. I appreciate it.

My understanding from the Sakyong and other Buddhist teachings I've read is that we are always meditating on something, by that meaning placing our mind on something, even if it is for a short time and not what we would traditionally consider "meditating." Making a conscious decision on what we are going to meditate on, whether it is the ebb and flow of our breath or how to squeeze a few more nickels out of some unsuspecting sucker, is what determines the quality of our life and those around us in the greater world.