May 9, 2026

A couple of days ago a friend in my outdoor meditation group told me that he was glad to see me because I’m always chipper. I hadn’t heard that term in a while, but was pleased to hear that he thinks of me as cheerful and upbeat. I suggested that perhaps I’m happy because I’m healthy, and he responded that not all healthy people are in good spirits. True enough.

Meditation is a good practice for listening, breathing, relaxing, and slowing down. I love doing it in nature because I enjoy the fresh air and feel nurtured by the trees, grasses, birds, and clouds. But I also need something more…well, active. This month marks the 57th anniversary of the day I began chanting the mantra Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. One advantage of chanting is that it is a form of prayer, of setting an intention, and it allows me to focus my energy on a desired outcome rather than just passively meditating. Doing both practices helps me balance both openness and directed energy.

I also love to sing, and chanting is a form of singing, of creating positive sound vibrations. Reminds me of the Beach Boys song Good Vibrations. So I like to practice LSD: Laughing, Singing, and Dancing. Doing those activities helps me achieve what Nichiren Buddhists call a high life condition – a lively, sunny disposition. And being in nature amplifies the healthy good vibrations.

However, my friends know that I can also be cynical about national politics and negative current events around the world. While I try to stay informed about political, economic, and cultural developments, I don’t wallow in the despair that afflicts so many people these days. Rather, I deliberately choose to cultivate a sense of wonder and appreciation, and alignment with the higher power that resides within each one of us. Is there ugliness in this world? You bet. But also great beauty. I try to stay grounded in the beauty of the oaks and redwoods in my neighborhood, while at night I marvel at the moon and the stars.

And speaking of stars, this week the U.S. government began releasing limited amounts of information regarding UFO sightings. Do I believe in UFOs? I don’t know – I’ve never seen one. Do I believe that the human race is the most intelligent life form in the universe? No.

As I like to say, I’m a short term pessimist but a long term optimist. Or as the song from the musical South Pacific says, “I hear the human race is falling on its face, and hasn’t very far to go. But every whippoorwill is selling me a bill, and telling me it just ain’t so.” Nature is resilient, and in the grand scheme of things, Gaia, our mother Earth, inspires me.

Makes me feel chipper.

Happy Mother’s Day, mother Gaia.