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That night I saw Jupiter hanging near the full snow moon, both objects bright and clear in the sky, the air summer-warm. In the morning I saw whales spouting, and I rode my bike in the blue-green valley and was fleetingly ten years old again, the way I tend to feel while on two wheels and rolling.

Later I visited my friend Dorothy, who has this lovely wood-carved icon in her house, and we talked about guiding spirits. I felt that this gentle prayerful lady might be mine. She is asking and accepting in equal parts, and equanimity results, a palpable calm.

Until I can be wise and tranquil like my guiding spirit, I am adhering to my four-pronged strategy:

1) Stay busy;

2) Keep moving;

3) Don't think too much (or at least, be captain of the thoughts),

and

4) Say yes, mostly.

By and large, it's working.