The Book of Joy, Lasting Happiness in a Changing World with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams has been my companion these last several days. Mindfulness by Gill Hasson and living buddha, living christ, by Thich Nhat Hanh complement.

My cardiologist recommended not watching television until after Nov. 3, but I watch very little. I am more into social media and online news. These latter keep me wound tightly. What he was saying was keep your stress in check. Difficult to do, if following current events.

While observing mask wearing, social distancing and avoiding crowds, my one true pleasure is visiting Barnes and Noble, the brick and mortar, not the online version. Usually it is brief. Needing to read some uplifting pieces, I bought three, not just one, this time.

So what am I getting that I already knew but had forgotten: to live in the present as opposed to the past or future. Joy, deep joy, comes from serving as opposed to happiness which is more self-serving and fleeting.

Listen to the mind chatter, the worthless repetition and dispel it. Focus. On. Wonder.