I like collections of aphorisms, pithy sayings, and short poems. Sometimes the mind just needs a quick jolt of something different. For those times, this is a good book. It is divided into sections, with verses for starting the day, verses for meditiation, verses for eating mindfully, and verses for other activities. Following each short poem, there is a commentary by Thich Nhat Hanh. Here is the poem and the first paragraph for one selection:

Washing the Dishes

Washing the dishes
is like bathing a baby Buddha.
The profane is the sacred.
Everyday mind is Buddha's mind.

To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur to us only when we are not doing them. Once we are standing in front of the sink with our sleeves rolled up and our hands in warm water, it is really not bad at all. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to go and have dessert, the time will be unpleasant, not worth living. That would be a pity, for every second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and the fact that I am here washing them are miracles!