When I first stumbled into this Buddhist path I now call home, my greatest surprise was an instruction to "live in joy." I already knew about the Buddhist teaching that life is difficult. (Perhaps you've noticed.) But joy? Someone had to be kidding. I was too busy.
You have a yard. You're having a party. Your yard looks like shit. The party is tonight. What to do? The answer, my friend, is triage.
As a card-carrying Buddhist, I take the precept "do no harm" very seriously. Over the years this has meant a willingness to share my home with all sorts of insects and lowlifes, only removing ones who get too greedy for space. Even then, I help them get to their new homes with as much compassion as
