I got lost on my way to a Jane’s Walk Ottawa event yesterday.

To put a positive spin on it, I got in plenty of walking time as planned for my spring stay-cation activities.  I also got a sunburned nose and hands although I had ample skin coverage.

I take full responsibility for not making better arrangements ahead of time … and for trusting the vague instructions in the OC Transpo travel planner.  Something tells me I should have listened to the loud yellow songbird as I ambled down the wrong NCC path.

I didn’t make it to the event but had plenty of opportunities for deep blonde thoughts and walking meditation.

When planning jaunts about town, I make sure I pack:

• A full water bottle
• A snack of fruit, nuts or grains
• A loaded Presto pass AND OC Transpo bus tickets
• Charged cell phone (for communication and taking pictures)
• Seasonally appropriate attire (hat, sunglasses, overskirt, change of socks, umbrella)
• A book to read
• A notebook and pen.

The lengthy detour along the picturesque Rideau River gave me a good workout.  It provided a warm and sweaty reminder to accept responsibility for my actions and my choices – but to forgive myself for occasional mistakes.

Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life.
– Sophia Loren as attributed on The Quotations Page

I eventually made my way to a recognizable road then a location where I could catch a bus downtown to my next destination. At least I arrived with enough time to refill my water bottle and freshen up.

During the Vesak 2015 Ottawa celebrations, there was frequent mention of the recent earthquake in Nepal. The attentive audience members sat or stood quietly as the Buddhist monks and nuns said prayers and chanted songs. It was beautiful and sad.

After a while, I found a few empty seats where I could relax while listening to speeches and watching performances.

Colourfully costumed people from various Asian cultures took to the stage in dance and celebration.  It was disappointing that some audience members stood in the middle aisle and at the front with their iPads or smart phones to record them.

Ironic in a way, that on this day with much talk of compassion and mindfulness, these folks were blocking the view, lessening the enjoyment for others!  

As with other belief systems I have explored, I find that Buddhism has sprouted into complex teachings as evolved in different cultures over thousands of years.  Although it seems to have many levels and paths of enlightenment, it is the one belief system most compatible with basic virtues I embrace.

• One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.
• One should not treat others in ways that one would not like to be treated.

– Golden and sliver rules

Overall, attending the event was a good learning opportunity as I continue to broaden my knowledge, to get out and experience new things.

In a simplistic Catholic girl’s view, Vesak is like a month of Christmas and Easter book-ending that missing 30-year span of Jesus’ life.

— Florence T Lyon (@FloTLyon) May 3, 2015

Thanks for visiting. If I may lead you down one more path, please sample a bit of the ebook for The Year of the Rabbit where the author touches on a few belief systems.

T