I am a parent, teacher and poet living in North East Los Angeles. I grew up in the Sonoma County Zen Center community in Northern California in the tradition of Suzuki Roshi who was a proponent of allowing oneself to always be a beginner. The practice of “beginner’s mind” naturally invites one to experience the present moment with innate curiosity, kindness and connection—three necessary components of compassion. When I teach I start with compassion and kindness for self, then flow outward letting this rediscovered love touch all other things in one’s life.