Tag Archives: habits

The Hula-Hoop of Hindrance

19 Sunday Apr 2015

Posted by in Buddhism, NaPoWriMo, Poetry

≈ 1 Comment

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dd824a69cc87e9a85f122b7029262cfd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw it in the playground,

when I was only three,

the hula-hoop of hindrance,

resting by a tree.

 

It was pretty, pink, and sparkly,

with unicorns and glitter,

it even had, ‘go faster’ stripes,

so I could hula quicker.

 

I put it ‘round my tiny waist,

and hula’d round the yard,

little did I realise,

that it would make life hard.

 

I learned to love my hula-hoop,

though I was only four,

when I went to bed at night,

I’d leave it by the door.

 

I realised when I was five

(and also at aged six)

that I had been quite naïve

my hula habit fixed

 

This went on – my dearest friends,

throughout my adult life,

attachment to my hula-hoop,

caused me so much strife.

 

When cooking in the kitchen,

and trying to eat my dinner,

my hula hoop got in the way,

and I just grew much thinner.

 

and when I met my boyfriend,

I’d hula-hoop for joy,

but holding hands whilst hula-ing,

well… the romance is destroyed.

 

Showering or getting dressed,

at work, at home, at play,

my pretty, sparkly hula-hoop,

was always in the way.

 

When I went upon retreat,

there was no problem there;

for there were many hula hoops,

that we could swap and share!

 

Then, Maitripala gave a talk,

about the hula habit,

if we can see the gateway….

the freedom’s there, so grab it!!

 

The moral of this story,

is not too clear to see,

but if you choose a skipping rope,

you can set yourself free.

 

One day I hope my hula-hoop,

will rest against that tree,

and if you choose to have a go,

it’s going, gratis, free!!

 

© The Hula-Hoop of Hindrance 17.06.2014

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Picture Credit: https://uk.pinterest.com/pin/122723158565563869/

picture from childhood101.com

 

NaPoWriMo15

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Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?

01 Wednesday Apr 2015

Posted by in Daily life, NaPoWriMo, Poetry

≈ 4 Comments

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five rhythms dance

 

Oh dear what can the matter be?

I let go of an old self view today,

It was there so long, it became just a habit to me,

 

I didn’t even know it was there.

 

First I kicked off my slippers, and took off my cardigan,

Removed my glasses, and put it on top of them,

Started to dance to the sound of five rhythms,

It felt like I floated on air!

 

 

© Oh Dear What Can the Matter Be?

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm 01.04.2015

Photo Credit: www.substation.org

 

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The Hula-Hoop of Hindrance

13 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by in Buddhism, Humour, Poetry

≈ 10 Comments

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Hula-Hooping

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw it in the playground,

when I was only three,

the hula-hoop of hindrance,

resting by a tree.

 

It was pretty, pink, and sparkly,

with unicorns and glitter,

it even had, ‘go faster’ stripes,

so I could hula quicker.

 

I put it ‘round my tiny waist,

and hula’d round the yard,

little did I realise,

that it would make life hard.

 

I learned to love my hula-hoop,

though I was only four,

when I went to bed at night,

I’d leave it by the door.

 

I realised when I was five

(and also at aged six)

that I had been quite naïve

my hula habit fixed

 

This went on – my dearest friends,

throughout my adult life,

attachment to my hula-hoop,

caused me so much strife.

 

When cooking in the kitchen,

and trying to eat my dinner,

my hula hoop got in the way,

and I just grew much thinner.

 

and when I met my boyfriend,

I’d hula-hoop for joy,

but holding hands whilst hula-ing,

well… the romance is destroyed.

 

When I went upon retreat,

there was no problem there;

for there were many hula hoops,

that we could swap and share!

 

Then,  Maitripala gave a talk,

about the hula habit,

if we can see the gateway….

the freedom’s there, so grab it!!

 

One day I hope my hula-hoop,

will rest against that tree,

and if you choose to have a go,

it’s going, gratis, free!!

 

© The Hula-Hoop of Hindrance 17.06.2014

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Photo Credit: Photo By Fotolia/Stockshoppe

 

The Perfect Breakfast

30 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by in Buddhism, Humour, Poetry

≈ 19 Comments

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English: I took this picture. Grilled cheese s...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My tea is too hot,

my tea is too cold,

my tea is too sweet,

the milk is too old.

 

The toast is too burnt,

it’s not brown enough,

I wanted white bread,

Oh no… not the crust!

 

I can’t find my jam,

the banana’s got spots,

there is no fruit knife,

the apple’s got rot!

 

The porridge is lumpy,

I can taste tahini,

I’ve added some milk,

and now it’s too creamy!

 

I’ve lost my spot,

someone else is sat there,

I wanted to sit,

in my favourite chair.

 

I’m trapped in a corner,

I’m sat in a draft,

I’m too near the door,

Oh! All this is daft!

 

I should just be grateful,

that I’m here today,

living and breathing,

the middle way.

 

it’s ten twenty four,

we meditate in a bit,

I stand at the door,

now where shall I sit?

 

This cushion’s too high,

this cushion’s too low,

this cushion’s too lumpy,

and on it goes…

 

© The Perfect Breakfast 24.11.2013

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

English: I took this picture. Grilled cheese sandwich with white bread, American cheese, and tomato soup. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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The Irresponsible Lotus

03 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by in Buddhism, Deep Stuff!, Humour, Nature, Poetry, Worldly Winds

≈ 16 Comments

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Trivandrum, India

 

 

 

 

 

 

The irresponsible lotus,

refused to flourish or bloom,

stuck his head

right in the mud,

and waited,

for monsoon.

He wallowed and protested,

Ostrich like – he did!

Regressed, decayed, and festered,

in ignorance he hid.

 

‘til one day came the sunshine,

of which he couldn’t ignore,

it beamed on him,

and warmed him,

and coaxed him from the floor.

He lifted up his stubborn head,

with squinting dusty eyes,

he blinked and stretched,

and relished it,

he felt so quite alive!

 

The rays of warm compassion,

a catalyst did start,

the more he grew,

the more he knew,

this was meant to be.

He blossomed and he opened,

his waxy tight bud heart,

he raised his head,

toward the sky,

and it set himself apart.

 

No longer dwelling,

in the mud,

irresponsibly –

the sun shone strong,

and so did he,

for all around to see.

His radiance and his beauty,

apparent majesty,

admired by all who saw him,

brought calm and clarity.

 

The moral of this story,

may be plain to all,

of the irresponsible lotus,

who answered nature’s call.

Please never judge a lotus,

that may be stuck in mud,

it just needs a little sunshine,

to coax open,

its heart bud.

 

© The Irresponsible Lotus 03.03.2013

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Trivandrum, India (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

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Bad Habits

20 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by in Buddhism, Deep Stuff!, Poetry

≈ 6 Comments

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English: "The removal of the cracked melt...

 

 

 

 

I fear I have broken me,

there is no going back;

I’ve wandered too far,

down this treacherous track.

I strayed here, eyes open,

and couldn’t return,

conditions remaining,

the habit is firm.

I dream of a future,

where I am alone,

asleep with eyes open,

conditioning gone.

 

© Bad Habits 20.09.2012

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

English: “The removal of the cracked melting pot” (1884), painting by Constantin Meunier (1831-1905) Royal Museum of Fine Arts, Brussels, Belgium (Photo credit: Wikipedia)