Finding balance . . .

It's Odin's day . . .

Obstacles do not block the Way, they are the Way. – Zen Proverb

Speaking of obstacles: our upcoming elections may be full of them. Joyce Vance's Civil Discorse issued a warning. And Heather Cox Richardson outlined specifics.

Birthdays today . . .

J.R.R. Tolkien was born on this date in 1892 Bloemfontein, South Africa.

In 1929, Italian film director Sergio Leone was born in Rome.

And Mel Gibson turns 68 today. The actor, director, producer was born on this day in 1956 Peekskill, New York

I missed this one: Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue was born on New Year's Day in the west Ireland area of 1956 Connemara and County Clare.

For Equilibrium, a Blessing:

As water takes whatever shape it is in,
So free may you be about who you become.

As time remains free of all that it frames,

May your mind stay clear of all it names.

May your prayer of listening deepen enough
to hear in the depths the laughter of god.

― John O'Donohue, To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings, Doubleday, 2008.