Category: reflections

reflections

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The first step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Lao Tzu

Isn’t it so true that the journey begins with just the first step.  

There are times when I feel so overwhelmed and oh … so many shiny balls stand in the way … that it is like a thick, scary, dark forest and I wonder how in the hell will I find my way out of it.

However, when I truly think about it, it is just that first step that really matters.  Then the next.  

One step after another and before I know, the dark forest disappeared to reveal a beautiful, bright, sunny meadow with a flowing creek and wildflowers … just such a sense of calm washing over me.  

And it all began with the first step.  

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Worry

Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strength.  – Corrie Ten Boom

How true it is with worry … it truly does suck the life out of the present moment.  

To be honest, I find myself worrying about things I have no control over and when I do, I only hurt myself.  

It comes down to fear … I have two choices; fuck everything and run or face everything and recover.  

When I face my fear and let it go, I bring myself back to what matters most … today.  

When I am fully present, the gifts I received are truly priceless. 

Interesting.  

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Pausing

I need to take a sacred pause, as if I were a sun warmed rock in the center of a rushing river. – Dawna Markova

What a beautiful image that quote illuminates.

‘Pausing when agitated’ is a powerful tool.  

Many times I react without thinking and when I do, most times than not, it complicates things.  

That all-important pause gives me the opportunity to think through my actions.  

When I do, my actions come from a place of compassionate consciousness … like the ‘sun warmed rock in the center of a rushing river’.

Interesting.

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Be the light

Few of us are satisfied with retreating from the world and just working on ourselves. We want our training to manifest and be of benefit. The bodhisattva-warrior, therefore, makes a vow to wake up not just for himself but for the welfare of all beings. – Pema Chodron

There is a lot of wisdom in this quote.  

Though I am not a bodhisattva-warrior … a wise friend shared that we all have our own paths to walk and we do. 

The most compassionate thing we can offer each other is finding that peace within so that our light spreads out touching others.

The chaos of life feeds on chaos, like a never-ending thrashing dark storm whereas the light of peace is like a flowing river allowing life to flourish and thrive.   

‘Be the light’ … I know many who know me are laughing now.

However, isn’t it true that when we are at peace ourselves, life is like that flowing river nourishing all on its banks?

Interesting how that is.  

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It Just Is

Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life. – Thich Nhat Hanh

A wise lady once shared with me about how her caustic boss sneered at her because there were spots on the glasses.

She explained how she recomposed herself and picked up each glass and mindfully cleaned them one by one saying to herself ‘it is just a glass.’

I don’t know why her words hit me so, but it reminded of my work.

There are days when I get so overwhelmed by the sheer load … that my natural instinct is panic.

However, when I look at my work mindfully … it is just mail.

So, when I deliver each piece one by one it becomes quite relaxing and my heart opens to receive the beauty and wonder of my day.

Interesting how that is.

When I release the barriers and go with the flow … life provides many gifts that I would otherwise not encounter.

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Loving Kindness

You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection. – Sharon Salzberg

Today a challenge was set and so I extend it to you.

Practicing loving kindness to ourselves provides a foundation of ‘attitude gratitude.’

Just like the pebble dropped in still water … it produces rings that spread outward touching all in its path … creating new rings that spread to others.

I thought it selfish to give to myself before others … when quite opposite is true.

Love starts within and its light spreads to others. It is truly a selfless selfish act.

So I was challenged and now I challenge you in saying a metta of loving kindness in the morning and throughout the day if so desired and see how it feels.

May I be happy
May I be well
May I be safe
May I be at peace

Savor those words … feel the words … and then when it feels right, extend the loving kindness outward, thinking of those you care for.

I imagine them in my mind’s eye and say …

May you be happy
May you be well
May you be safe
May you be at peace

Savor the words and see how it feels.

A wise teacher taught me that we can not give away what we do not have. If our light is dim … it cannot shine.

So take care of you and let your light shine.

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The Unknown

The important thing is to never stop questioning. – Albert Einstein

It is interesting how I react to the unknown by trying to fit it into what is known.  

The unknown is uncomfortable, however it can also be a source of a great awakening.

When I look at the unknown with a sense of wonder, I free myself of the suffering of which I have no control.  

By being a student of life, I become ever present, opening myself to what is, embracing it as it is and focusing on just the next right step for me.  

 

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Words

Raise your words, not your voice. It is rains that grows, not thunder. – Rumi

Words are powerful and when used to attack others can cause great pain and suffering.  

It reminds me of a story of a father teaching his son about the power of words.  He gave him a bag of nails and told him every time he felt like losing his temper to hammer a nail into a piece of wood.  

Nails in the Fence 
author unknown

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. 

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. 

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. 

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there." 

The little boy then understood how powerful his words were. He looked up at his father and said "I hope you can forgive me father for the holes I put in you." 

"Of course I can," said the father. 

Powerful lesson.

For me Rumi’s quote reminds me to raise my words to a good vibration … in other words speak my truth respectfully and compassionately.  

I truly feel this journey we share is to walk tall and support each other in finding our own way … because in the end, we walk the same path.  

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Grounding

“Storms make trees take deeper roots.” – Dolly Parton

Many times when waves of emotions thrash me … I need to ground myself like a tree with deep roots and let the storm pass.  

That all important exhale reminds me that all will be ‘ok’ as long as I stay in the present moment. 

The trees all around us remind how truly strong we are. 

For those trees have witnessed many storms and still stand tall. 

They are great reminders of the many otg’s (opportunities to grow) that lie ahead. 

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Path I Walk

Isn’t life interesting how it gives you what you need, rather than what you want.

I had envisioned my life different from what it is, however, I realize now that why I suffered was because I wasn’t accepting it rather … I fought it.