This is a rather long post. It is an article...It perfectly explains the principles upon which I base my life.
What is happiness, and how can we achieve it?
Happiness can’t be reduced to a few agreeable sensations. Rather, it is a way of being and of experiencing the world -- a profound fulfillment that suffuses every moment and endures despite inevitable setbacks.
The paths we take in search of happiness often lead us to frustration and suffering instead. We try to create outer conditions that we believe will make us happy. But it is the mind itself that translates outer conditions into happiness or suffering. This is why we can be deeply unhappy even though we “have it all” -- wealth, power, health, a good family, etc. -- and, conversely, we can remain strong and serene in the face of hardship.
Authentic happiness is a way of being and a skill to be cultivated. When we first begin, the mind is vulnerable and untamed, like that of a monkey or a restless child. It takes practice to gain inner peace, inner strength, altruistic love, forbearance, and other qualities that lead to authentic happiness.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama often teaches that, while there are limitations to how much information one can learn and to our physical performance, compassion can be developed boundlessly.
Practicing Happiness
It is not difficult to begin. You just have to sit from time to time, turn your mind within, and let your thoughts calm down. Focus your attention on a chosen object. It can be an object in your room, your breath, or your own mind. Inevitably, your mind will wander as you do this. Each time it does, gently bring it back to the object of concentration, like a butterfly that returns again and again to a flower.
In the freshness of the present moment, past is gone, future is not yet born, and -- if one remains in pure mindfulness and freedom -- disturbing thoughts arise and go without leaving a trace. That is basic meditation.
Pure consciousness without content is something all those who meditate regularly and seriously have experienced -- it is not just some sort of Buddhist theory. And anyone who takes the trouble to stabilize and clarify his or her mind will be able to experience it, too. It is through this unconditioned aspect of consciousness that we can transform the content of mind through training.
But meditation also means to cultivate basic human qualities, such as attention and compassion, and new ways of experiencing the world. What really matters is that a person gradually changes. Over months and years, we become less impatient, less prone to anger, less torn between hopes and fears. It becomes inconceivable to willingly harm another person. We develop a propensity toward altruistic behavior and the cluster of qualities that give us the resources to deal with the ups and downs of life.
The point here is that you can look at your thoughts, including strong emotions, with a pure mindfulness that is not associated with the contents of the thoughts.
Take the example of malevolent anger. We usually identify with anger. Anger can fill our mental landscape and project its distorted reality on people and events. When we are overwhelmed by anger, we cannot dissociate from it. We perpetuate a vicious circle of affliction by rekindling anger each time we see or remember the person who makes us angry. We become addicted to the cause of suffering.
But if we dissociate from anger and look at it with mindfulness, that which is aware of anger is not angry, and we can see that anger is just a bunch of thoughts. Anger doesn’t cut like a knife, burn like a fire, or crush like a rock; it is nothing more than a product of our mind. Instead of “being” the anger, we understand that we are not the anger, in the same way that clouds are not the sky.
So, to deal with anger, we avoid letting our mind jump again and again to the trigger for our anger. Then we look at anger itself and keep our attention upon it. If we stop adding wood to a fire and just watch, the fire will die out. Likewise, anger will vanish away, without being forcibly repressed or allowed to explode.
There is no question of not experiencing emotions; it’s a question of not being enslaved by them. Let emotions arise, but let them be freed from their afflictive components: distortion of reality, mental confusion, clinging, and suffering for oneself and others.
There is great virtue in resting from time to time in pure awareness of the present moment, and being able to refer to this state when afflictive emotions arise so that we do not identify with them and are not swayed by them.
It is difficult in the beginning, but becomes quite natural as you become increasingly familiar with such an approach. Whenever anger arises, you learn to recognize it right away. If you know someone to be a pickpocket, even if he mingles in a crowd, you will spot him right away and keep a careful eye on him.
Interdependence
Just as you can learn to deal with afflictive thoughts, you can learn to cultivate and enhance wholesome ones. To be filled with love and kindness brings about an optimal way of being. It is a win-win situation: you will enjoy lasting well-being for yourself, you’ll act in altruistic ways towards others, and you’ll be perceived as a good human being.
If altruistic love is based on an understanding of the interdependence of all beings and of their natural aspiration to happiness, and if this love extends impartially to all beings, then it is a source of genuine happiness. Acts of overflowing love, of pure, disinterested generosity -- as when you make a child happy or help someone in need, even if nobody knows what you have done -- generate a deep and heartwarming fulfillment.
Human qualities often come in clusters. Altruism, inner peace, strength, freedom, and genuine happiness thrive together like the parts of a nourishing fruit. Likewise, selfishness, animosity, and fear grow together. So, while helping others may not always be “pleasant,” it leads the mind to a sense of inner peace, courage, and harmony with the interdependence of all things and beings.
Afflictive mental states, on the other hand, begin with self-centeredness, with an increase in the gap between self and others. These states are related to excessive self-importance and self-cherishing associated with fear or resentment towards others, and grasping for outer things as part of a hopeless pursuit of selfish happiness. A selfish pursuit of happiness is a lose-lose situation: you make yourself miserable and make others miserable as well.
Inner conflicts are often linked with excessive rumination on the past and anticipation of the future. You are not truly paying attention to the present moment, but are engrossed in your thoughts, going on and on in a vicious circle, feeding your ego and self-centeredness.
This is the opposite of bare attention. To turn your attention inside means to look at pure awareness itself and dwell without distraction, yet effortlessly, in the present moment.
If you cultivate these mental skills, after a while you won’t need to apply contrived efforts anymore. You can deal with mental perturbations like the eagles I see from the window of my hermitage in the Himalayas deal with crows. The crows often attack them, diving at the eagles from above. But, instead of doing all kinds of acrobatics, the eagle simply retracts one wing at the last moment, lets the diving crow pass, and then extends its wing again. The whole thing requires minimal effort and causes little disturbance.
Being experienced in dealing with the sudden arising of emotions in the mind works in a similar way.
I have been exposed to the world of humanitarian activities for a number of years since I decided to dedicate the entire royalties of my books to 30 projects on education and health in Tibet, Nepal, and India, with a group of dedicated volunteers and generous philanthropists. It is easy to see how corruption, clashes of ego, weak empathy, discouragement can plague the humanitarian world. All this stems from a lack of maturity. So the advantages of spending time to develop human altruism and compassionate courage are obvious.
The Fragrance of Peace
The most important time to meditate or do other types of spiritual practices is early in the morning. You set the tone for the day and the “fragrance” of the meditation will remain and give a particular perfume to the whole day. Another important time is before falling asleep. If you clearly generate a positive state of mind, filled with compassion or altruism, this will give a different quality to the whole night.
When people experience “moments of grace”, or “magical moments” in daily life, while walking in the snow under the stars or spending a beautiful moment with dear friends by the seaside, what is really happening? All of a sudden, they have left their burden of inner conflicts behind. They feel in harmony with others, with themselves, with the world. It is wonderful to fully enjoy such magical moments, but it is also revealing to understand why they feel so good: pacification of inner conflicts; a better sense of interdependence with everything rather than fragmenting reality; and a respite from the mental toxins of aggression and obsession. All these qualities can be cultivated through developing wisdom and inner freedom. This will lead not just to a few moments of grace but to a lasting state of well-being that we may call genuine happiness.
In this state, feelings of insecurity gradually give way to a deep confidence that you can deal with life’s ups and downs. Your equanimity will spare you from being swayed like mountain grass in the wind by every possible praise and blame, gain and loss, comfort and discomfort. You can always draw on deep inner peace, and the waves at the surface will not appear as threatening.
YES! MagazinePosted on December 19, 2008, Printed on December 21,
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Simple Buddist Wisdom
This, I think is a lovely bit of wisdom:
Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.
Better than a thousand hollow verses is one verse that brings peace.
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.
Then the victory is yours.
- Buddha in the Dhammapada
Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace.
Better than a thousand hollow verses is one verse that brings peace.
It is better to conquer yourself than to win a thousand battles.
Then the victory is yours.
- Buddha in the Dhammapada
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Thanksgiving 2008
This is my absolute favorite holiday of the year. It's all about food, family and love-showing it...living in it..being in it. Being ever so grateful for what life presents us with everyday..that helps us to grow and be better people which then helps us to create a better world.
As I reflect upon this last year since Thanksgiving '07...a couple of babies have been born...new cherished friends have been made...records have been set...my own children have sometimes not so gracefully...grown in their minds and their respective heights. :)
On a very personal note...I am really very happy with my life and the people on both a professional and very personal level I am blessed to have in it. My children keep me hopping...they make me laugh...and as well, through them I am continually challenged to be both a better mother and and a better woman on a daily basis.
So, as you look around your own tables live in the moment and be grateful and thankful for all of the good things in your life. Then look inward....reflect upon where you were a year ago...where you are now...and where you want to go....Then...make it happen.
As I reflect upon this last year since Thanksgiving '07...a couple of babies have been born...new cherished friends have been made...records have been set...my own children have sometimes not so gracefully...grown in their minds and their respective heights. :)
On a very personal note...I am really very happy with my life and the people on both a professional and very personal level I am blessed to have in it. My children keep me hopping...they make me laugh...and as well, through them I am continually challenged to be both a better mother and and a better woman on a daily basis.
So, as you look around your own tables live in the moment and be grateful and thankful for all of the good things in your life. Then look inward....reflect upon where you were a year ago...where you are now...and where you want to go....Then...make it happen.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Peace and Trust Within: The Cushion
Below are a couple of pieces I've borrowed...because I think they get right to the heart of what it is I want to say....
The first:
"There is a part of the sea known as “the cushion of the sea.” It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred.
When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Unaffected by all the turbulence that was above it."
Here: In these times that we currently find ourselves living in , the world around us is in turmoil. There is not one person that has not been affected in some way on a very personal level. I had been having trouble trying to figure out just how to effectively communicate about it. Well, recently, I had a conversation with someone who used the above analogy.
It's a PERFECT analogy, and it was exactly the direction I was trying to go all the while.
To wit:
Where is your cushion?
How easy is it for us each to loose site of it?
If you stray from your cushion then did you ever really know what or where it was?
Think about it as a place of calm, peace and light and when you live in that no matter what is happening in your life your core cannot be shaken. Your decisions, reasoning...thinking all come from a place of light and love-proactively- not darkness and fear or reactively.
It is the base of everything that comes from each of us.
Next:
"Many of us seek the answers to life’s questions by looking outside of ourselves and trying to glean advice from the people around us. But as each of us is unique, with our own personal histories, our own sense of right and wrong, and our own way of experiencing the world that defines our realities, looking to others for our answers is only partially helpful. The answers to our personal questions can be most often found by looking within.
When you realize that you always have access to the part of you that always knows what you need and is meant to act as your inner compass, you can stop searching outside of yourself. If you can learn to hear, trust, and embrace the wisdom that lives within you, you will be able to confidently navigate your life.
Trusting your inner wisdom may be awkward at first, particularly if you grew up around people who taught you to look to others for answers. We each have exclusive access to our inner knowing. All we have to do is remember how to listen. Remember to be patient as you relearn how to hear, receive, and follow your own guidance.
If you are unsure about whether following your inner wisdom will prove reliable, you may want to think of a time when you did trust your own knowing and everything worked out. Recall how the answers came to you, how they felt in your body as you considered them, and what happened when you acted upon this guidance. Now, recall a time when you didn’t trust yourself and the results didn’t work out as you had hoped.
Trusting your own guidance can help you avoid going against what you instinctively know is right for you.When you second guess yourself and go against what you know to be your truth, you can easily go off course because you are no longer following your inner compass. By looking inside yourself for the answers to your life’s questions, you are consulting your best guide. Only you can know the how’s and why’s of your life. "
The answers that you seek can be found when you start answering your own questions.
The first:
"There is a part of the sea known as “the cushion of the sea.” It lies beneath the surface that is agitated by storms and churned by the wind. It is so deep that it is a part of the sea that is never stirred.
When the ocean floor in these deep places is dredged of the remains of plant or animal life, it reveals evidence of having remained completely undisturbed for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Unaffected by all the turbulence that was above it."
Here: In these times that we currently find ourselves living in , the world around us is in turmoil. There is not one person that has not been affected in some way on a very personal level. I had been having trouble trying to figure out just how to effectively communicate about it. Well, recently, I had a conversation with someone who used the above analogy.
It's a PERFECT analogy, and it was exactly the direction I was trying to go all the while.
To wit:
Where is your cushion?
How easy is it for us each to loose site of it?
If you stray from your cushion then did you ever really know what or where it was?
Think about it as a place of calm, peace and light and when you live in that no matter what is happening in your life your core cannot be shaken. Your decisions, reasoning...thinking all come from a place of light and love-proactively- not darkness and fear or reactively.
It is the base of everything that comes from each of us.
Next:
"Many of us seek the answers to life’s questions by looking outside of ourselves and trying to glean advice from the people around us. But as each of us is unique, with our own personal histories, our own sense of right and wrong, and our own way of experiencing the world that defines our realities, looking to others for our answers is only partially helpful. The answers to our personal questions can be most often found by looking within.
When you realize that you always have access to the part of you that always knows what you need and is meant to act as your inner compass, you can stop searching outside of yourself. If you can learn to hear, trust, and embrace the wisdom that lives within you, you will be able to confidently navigate your life.
Trusting your inner wisdom may be awkward at first, particularly if you grew up around people who taught you to look to others for answers. We each have exclusive access to our inner knowing. All we have to do is remember how to listen. Remember to be patient as you relearn how to hear, receive, and follow your own guidance.
If you are unsure about whether following your inner wisdom will prove reliable, you may want to think of a time when you did trust your own knowing and everything worked out. Recall how the answers came to you, how they felt in your body as you considered them, and what happened when you acted upon this guidance. Now, recall a time when you didn’t trust yourself and the results didn’t work out as you had hoped.
Trusting your own guidance can help you avoid going against what you instinctively know is right for you.When you second guess yourself and go against what you know to be your truth, you can easily go off course because you are no longer following your inner compass. By looking inside yourself for the answers to your life’s questions, you are consulting your best guide. Only you can know the how’s and why’s of your life. "
The answers that you seek can be found when you start answering your own questions.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What if...
...you had but one day to live and you knew it.
What would you do with it?
What would become so very important to you?
Who would you visit?
What places would you want to go to just one last time?
What are the things you need to do?
What conversations need to happen?
What would you want a taste of???
What or who would you want to hear or feel...just one last time???
Who would you make amends with?
Isn't it true that our lives.....lived every single day are just like that?
There is no promise of tomorrow.
There really is not.
What becomes important to you in that moment when you know, for certain, that you have just one single day?
If you think about it, when we each wake up in the morning that is just what we have. The gift of the very day...the very moment.... the very second we are so blessed to live in.
So, what is all this other stuff that gets in the way?
What would you do with it?
What would become so very important to you?
Who would you visit?
What places would you want to go to just one last time?
What are the things you need to do?
What conversations need to happen?
What would you want a taste of???
What or who would you want to hear or feel...just one last time???
Who would you make amends with?
Isn't it true that our lives.....lived every single day are just like that?
There is no promise of tomorrow.
There really is not.
What becomes important to you in that moment when you know, for certain, that you have just one single day?
If you think about it, when we each wake up in the morning that is just what we have. The gift of the very day...the very moment.... the very second we are so blessed to live in.
So, what is all this other stuff that gets in the way?
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Oneness With Self---The Inner Child
Let me start with this which I feel compelled to share.
Indulge me for a moment if you will:
From Shirley MacLaine...Dancing in the Light.
"I believe my intense search for self was motivated by the intuitive certainty that in myself lay the reflections of all there was. That all my curiosities regarding the outside world were in truth curiosities I had about myself. If I could know me, I could know the universe.
As the new physics and the ancient mystics now seemed to agree--when one observes the world and the being within it, one sees that we are in fact only dancing with our own consciousness. Everything we feel, think and act upon is interrelated with everything everyone else feels, thinks and acts upon. We are all participating in the dance.
When I began to see the world with karmic consciousness, the knowledge that we all create our own paths of our own free will made me recognize the cosmic justice in everything. I understood that there was a purposeful good in all occurrences if I allowed them to provide a path of experience and understanding.
The total understanding and realization of myself might require eons for me to accomplish. But when that awareness is achieved, I will align completely with that unseen Divine Force that we call God.
For me to deny that Divine Force now would be tantamount to denying that I exist.
I know that I exist, therefore I AM.
I know that the God-source exists. Therefore IT IS.
Since I am part of that force, then I AM that I AM."
"............As far as my own life is concerned, my higher self is with me every moment. When I get in trouble, I consult with it. When I have a question, I direct my inquiry to it. It is my teacher, it is the master of my soul. It is me.
When I feel out of touch with it, I take the time to be peaceful and meditate until I am aligned with it again.
The flowing nourishing, knowing awareness of my own being is as essential to me as air. I cannot prove its existence to anyone else. One has to experience it to know it.
When that happens, it is possible to understand the reason for life, why we do what we do. But more important than anything, in my experience the purpose for continuing is simply to understand SELF. The dance within and the dance without are intertwined. The Dance and the Dancer are one."
I think maybe the above needs to stand on it's own.......In the end when you are done reading through meld the above with the below. I think they exist in harmony.
I have attempted to write about this before...but have found it difficult. Mainly because Inner Child is a very private personal being which resides quietly-sometimes- inside each of us. And I suppose, as well, I have had to resolve issues with my own Inner Child before I could write about it.
It seems to be responsible in some way as that inner/alter voice.
It seems to be happiest and at peace with the lead-you- when it feels safe and content. It appears to me that when we are each in a place of acting out of fear....Inner Child is not in a place of peace and can react in many negative ways.
Questions:
Are you familiar with your own Inner Child?
Are you are peace with him or her?
Who is the lead?
Do you share the lead?
Are you comfortable enough with your Inner Child to allow others to soothe him or her??
Are there unresolved issues possibly things you are not even in touch with that when events happen in life....Inner Child takes over creating a fear or acting out response?
It seems to me that each and every one of us has not had the PERFECT life. (The reality is that It does not exist...) In some way or other we have all had to heal and move on. But what if Inner Child remains stuck? What that means is that in your life every decision...thought....action will come from a defensive place...a place of fear. This can manifest itself in various ways through the lead...you.
Is that really the way you want to spend your life?
What to do to help that along?????
I suppose it depends upon how ready we each are to make peace and become the lead.....
Is it OK to sometimes let inner child take over and romp? Yup. But it's all about the appropriateness of the moment....(I do it regularly when I go running...;)
How to make peace with Inner Child????
What I have found is that sometimes it is as simple as having a quiet conversation. Or ...as the "lead" really looking at what may be causing Inner Child to over-act....because it could be due to ..fear and wanting to protect. Find a safe place...a safe time...sit down and face your Inner Child...assure them that they are safe and that you have their best interests at heart. Then together work on healing...so that you-the grown-up can fully take the lead. Earlier I wrote about the two emotions that we base all our decisions/actions on...fear and love. Inner Child feels that too-and acts accordingly.
Healing takes time..coming to a place when you are at peace within...having fully realized all aspects of ones-self...inner/spritiual...outer...the physical...takes work and quiet contemplation.
What are we left with in the end...a fully realized soul that lives in light and joy. You become a person who loves well...and lives happily and gratefully in each moment realizing that life is a gift and our trials are meant to be lessons that in the end, with insight, create growth from within and positively affect others around us.
Indulge me for a moment if you will:
From Shirley MacLaine...Dancing in the Light.
"I believe my intense search for self was motivated by the intuitive certainty that in myself lay the reflections of all there was. That all my curiosities regarding the outside world were in truth curiosities I had about myself. If I could know me, I could know the universe.
As the new physics and the ancient mystics now seemed to agree--when one observes the world and the being within it, one sees that we are in fact only dancing with our own consciousness. Everything we feel, think and act upon is interrelated with everything everyone else feels, thinks and acts upon. We are all participating in the dance.
When I began to see the world with karmic consciousness, the knowledge that we all create our own paths of our own free will made me recognize the cosmic justice in everything. I understood that there was a purposeful good in all occurrences if I allowed them to provide a path of experience and understanding.
The total understanding and realization of myself might require eons for me to accomplish. But when that awareness is achieved, I will align completely with that unseen Divine Force that we call God.
For me to deny that Divine Force now would be tantamount to denying that I exist.
I know that I exist, therefore I AM.
I know that the God-source exists. Therefore IT IS.
Since I am part of that force, then I AM that I AM."
"............As far as my own life is concerned, my higher self is with me every moment. When I get in trouble, I consult with it. When I have a question, I direct my inquiry to it. It is my teacher, it is the master of my soul. It is me.
When I feel out of touch with it, I take the time to be peaceful and meditate until I am aligned with it again.
The flowing nourishing, knowing awareness of my own being is as essential to me as air. I cannot prove its existence to anyone else. One has to experience it to know it.
When that happens, it is possible to understand the reason for life, why we do what we do. But more important than anything, in my experience the purpose for continuing is simply to understand SELF. The dance within and the dance without are intertwined. The Dance and the Dancer are one."
I think maybe the above needs to stand on it's own.......In the end when you are done reading through meld the above with the below. I think they exist in harmony.
I have attempted to write about this before...but have found it difficult. Mainly because Inner Child is a very private personal being which resides quietly-sometimes- inside each of us. And I suppose, as well, I have had to resolve issues with my own Inner Child before I could write about it.
It seems to be responsible in some way as that inner/alter voice.
It seems to be happiest and at peace with the lead-you- when it feels safe and content. It appears to me that when we are each in a place of acting out of fear....Inner Child is not in a place of peace and can react in many negative ways.
Questions:
Are you familiar with your own Inner Child?
Are you are peace with him or her?
Who is the lead?
Do you share the lead?
Are you comfortable enough with your Inner Child to allow others to soothe him or her??
Are there unresolved issues possibly things you are not even in touch with that when events happen in life....Inner Child takes over creating a fear or acting out response?
It seems to me that each and every one of us has not had the PERFECT life. (The reality is that It does not exist...) In some way or other we have all had to heal and move on. But what if Inner Child remains stuck? What that means is that in your life every decision...thought....action will come from a defensive place...a place of fear. This can manifest itself in various ways through the lead...you.
Is that really the way you want to spend your life?
What to do to help that along?????
I suppose it depends upon how ready we each are to make peace and become the lead.....
Is it OK to sometimes let inner child take over and romp? Yup. But it's all about the appropriateness of the moment....(I do it regularly when I go running...;)
How to make peace with Inner Child????
What I have found is that sometimes it is as simple as having a quiet conversation. Or ...as the "lead" really looking at what may be causing Inner Child to over-act....because it could be due to ..fear and wanting to protect. Find a safe place...a safe time...sit down and face your Inner Child...assure them that they are safe and that you have their best interests at heart. Then together work on healing...so that you-the grown-up can fully take the lead. Earlier I wrote about the two emotions that we base all our decisions/actions on...fear and love. Inner Child feels that too-and acts accordingly.
Healing takes time..coming to a place when you are at peace within...having fully realized all aspects of ones-self...inner/spritiual...outer...the physical...takes work and quiet contemplation.
What are we left with in the end...a fully realized soul that lives in light and joy. You become a person who loves well...and lives happily and gratefully in each moment realizing that life is a gift and our trials are meant to be lessons that in the end, with insight, create growth from within and positively affect others around us.
Monday, September 29, 2008
What is Life About?
Ask yourself this question:
Am I, at this moment in my life, working towards achieving all of the goals I have set for myself?
Are you drawing a blank?
Are you in touch with yourself enough to know what your goals are??
I am not talking about externals here which are our responsibility to family and community.....What I am getting at here are very personal goals...the stuff that makes us feel whole and fulfilled.
What is that part of your life all about??????
Why do you do the things you do every single day??????
Who are you doing them for?
Are you doing these things out of fear or love. Remember everything in life comes from one of these two places...these two emotions...think about it.
I would submit that if you do the work to figure this out...in the end it will lead each of you to the same conclusion.....
Life is all about feeling good and I want to do everything out of love-not out of fear.
It is that simple.
So, if that is the case...what is standing in your way?
What keeps you from this?
What is it that you need to do to make things happen in your lives to bring you closer to that place???
Is something missing?
Do you allow your work and other commitments to pull you away from the essential maintenance of the pursuit of simple soul level contentedness??
Think about this: If everything originates from the center...and your center is not centered....(read whole, content, fulfilled and fully realized...) how can you ever achieve anything on the external level?
Ask yourself this question:
What do you want out of life and what are you willing to change to achieve the peace and happiness that you deserve???
What do you need?
Am I, at this moment in my life, working towards achieving all of the goals I have set for myself?
Are you drawing a blank?
Are you in touch with yourself enough to know what your goals are??
I am not talking about externals here which are our responsibility to family and community.....What I am getting at here are very personal goals...the stuff that makes us feel whole and fulfilled.
What is that part of your life all about??????
Why do you do the things you do every single day??????
Who are you doing them for?
Are you doing these things out of fear or love. Remember everything in life comes from one of these two places...these two emotions...think about it.
I would submit that if you do the work to figure this out...in the end it will lead each of you to the same conclusion.....
Life is all about feeling good and I want to do everything out of love-not out of fear.
It is that simple.
So, if that is the case...what is standing in your way?
What keeps you from this?
What is it that you need to do to make things happen in your lives to bring you closer to that place???
Is something missing?
Do you allow your work and other commitments to pull you away from the essential maintenance of the pursuit of simple soul level contentedness??
Think about this: If everything originates from the center...and your center is not centered....(read whole, content, fulfilled and fully realized...) how can you ever achieve anything on the external level?
Ask yourself this question:
What do you want out of life and what are you willing to change to achieve the peace and happiness that you deserve???
What do you need?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Important Questions Worth Pondering
What do you dwell on?
What thoughts run on the loop in your head during any given day?
Do you see only your faults?
What is truly good in you....? Do you see it? Do you open yourself up enough to allow others to see who you really are?? What does that require?
Do you perceive that you fall short of some self-imposed set of expectations? Who created those expectations in you? Are they realistic for you?
Do you understand your self-worth?
What do you project to others??
Notable quote:
"Our thoughts and expectations wield tremendous power and influence in our lives. We don't always get what we deserve in life but we usually get no more than we expect; we receive what we believe....this principle works as strongly in the negative as it does in the positive."
--Joel Osteen
Time to ponder.......
What thoughts run on the loop in your head during any given day?
Do you see only your faults?
What is truly good in you....? Do you see it? Do you open yourself up enough to allow others to see who you really are?? What does that require?
Do you perceive that you fall short of some self-imposed set of expectations? Who created those expectations in you? Are they realistic for you?
Do you understand your self-worth?
What do you project to others??
Notable quote:
"Our thoughts and expectations wield tremendous power and influence in our lives. We don't always get what we deserve in life but we usually get no more than we expect; we receive what we believe....this principle works as strongly in the negative as it does in the positive."
--Joel Osteen
Time to ponder.......
Friday, September 26, 2008
Rod McKuen
May 25
There are some forests that I haven't known.
Some tree trunks I've never wrapped my legs around
and climbed.
A million branches I might have slid down
had I had the time.
Still
some leaves trembled in the wood and caught my ear.
Some twigs beneath the hooves of deer snapped
and signaled spring,
waking me from endless winter thoughts.
Rod McKuen
In Someone's Shadow
There are some forests that I haven't known.
Some tree trunks I've never wrapped my legs around
and climbed.
A million branches I might have slid down
had I had the time.
Still
some leaves trembled in the wood and caught my ear.
Some twigs beneath the hooves of deer snapped
and signaled spring,
waking me from endless winter thoughts.
Rod McKuen
In Someone's Shadow
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Thinking outside the box
In only one case is in-the-box thinking necessary.
This comes from a cartoon: a man talks to his cat and points to the kitty litter box. He says, "Never ever think outside the box!"
This comes from a cartoon: a man talks to his cat and points to the kitty litter box. He says, "Never ever think outside the box!"
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
This one's for my beloved children
Yesterday while out running I discovered something.
A WHY for my life.
As most of you know, I have two beautiful children. I raise them alone, as I have for nearly seven years.
I have, forever now, recognized that it is ME that sets the example for them. I have been the only one in their lives who can really teach them what they need to know so they can make decisions based on a solid foundation of reason and thoughtful pondering.
So, for years I have "lectured" them....worked hard...lived by example...in every aspect of my life.
Girls-this is for you-this whole entire thing. Even as I share it with the world, you are first in foremost in my thoughts, heart and mind.
Understand this...your understanding of life comes through your own personal lens. As you grow up and begin to understand the world...life, love, relationships...I will share with you things that you can't possibly understand when you are small.
Here:
This place I have created is a way for me to give something concrete to you, my children, which I think, should be bound in solid form when my time is up.
Kids hear what they are able to hear based on their understanding of the world and life at THAT MOMENT.
I think there is no better a way for me to teach them the things I learn along the way. The messages which they can accept as gentle guidance as their lives grow and change. Not a road map....just good solid food for thought.
That said, look at your own kids...go hug them.
Tell them you love them...EVERYDAY even if you are angry at them.
Tell them you are PROUD of them.....every single day.
Elevate their self-esteem. They will need it in the real world.
To my friends...and those I will never meet. I certainly hope that what I have to say over time helps you in navigating your own lives as I navigate through mine.
If it sheds light or creates positive change...I am forever content.
In love and light.....Michel
A WHY for my life.
As most of you know, I have two beautiful children. I raise them alone, as I have for nearly seven years.
I have, forever now, recognized that it is ME that sets the example for them. I have been the only one in their lives who can really teach them what they need to know so they can make decisions based on a solid foundation of reason and thoughtful pondering.
So, for years I have "lectured" them....worked hard...lived by example...in every aspect of my life.
Girls-this is for you-this whole entire thing. Even as I share it with the world, you are first in foremost in my thoughts, heart and mind.
Understand this...your understanding of life comes through your own personal lens. As you grow up and begin to understand the world...life, love, relationships...I will share with you things that you can't possibly understand when you are small.
Here:
This place I have created is a way for me to give something concrete to you, my children, which I think, should be bound in solid form when my time is up.
Kids hear what they are able to hear based on their understanding of the world and life at THAT MOMENT.
I think there is no better a way for me to teach them the things I learn along the way. The messages which they can accept as gentle guidance as their lives grow and change. Not a road map....just good solid food for thought.
That said, look at your own kids...go hug them.
Tell them you love them...EVERYDAY even if you are angry at them.
Tell them you are PROUD of them.....every single day.
Elevate their self-esteem. They will need it in the real world.
To my friends...and those I will never meet. I certainly hope that what I have to say over time helps you in navigating your own lives as I navigate through mine.
If it sheds light or creates positive change...I am forever content.
In love and light.....Michel
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Clearing Clutter From the Mind
What is that "stuff" we put in our heads everyday that keeps us from focusing on what is truly important.
What is important?
What can't you live without?
What do you need in your lives to feel whole and fulfilled?
........................................Now, go back to the first sentence.
What is important?
What can't you live without?
What do you need in your lives to feel whole and fulfilled?
........................................Now, go back to the first sentence.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Vision
......As long as you can't imagine it, as long as you can't see it, then it is not going to happen for you................
The barrier is in your mind.
Think it
See it
BE it.
LIVE IT!
What is it.......
...........that truly makes you happy?????
Do you embrace that in your life in a fully realized way???
What do you need in your life to be happy????
If something is missing....and you comprehend that...recognize that....
What is it that needs to be done to change that so you may be in a better place???
What keeps you from getting there???
Once you figure out the WHAT of what it is.....
Once you figure out the WHY of why it is......
It is then that you can begin to figure out...the HOW of how to change.
Which brings to mind...
WHAT is change?
WHAT does that mean in the context of life???
I would submit that change...is tough....hard.....
What are we left with on the other side....???
It's seems pretty simple..
A new and better way to do and look at life.
Do you embrace that in your life in a fully realized way???
What do you need in your life to be happy????
If something is missing....and you comprehend that...recognize that....
What is it that needs to be done to change that so you may be in a better place???
What keeps you from getting there???
Once you figure out the WHAT of what it is.....
Once you figure out the WHY of why it is......
It is then that you can begin to figure out...the HOW of how to change.
Which brings to mind...
WHAT is change?
WHAT does that mean in the context of life???
I would submit that change...is tough....hard.....
What are we left with on the other side....???
It's seems pretty simple..
A new and better way to do and look at life.
Sometimes I think we take life for granted
Have you ever sat down at the end of the day somewhere outside and watched a sunset???
It is truly amazing just to see it.
But here's the thing...WATCH just how quickly the sun drops.
Over the years whenever the spirit moves me I make my way to a place at the end of a given day just to take in the sight and reflect. Well, this past summer when we went up to Charlevoix and Petosky (places I'd visit a million times over....I ADORE Michigan-I always have.) each night the girls and I wound our way up over and through the dunes to sit at the beach and watch the sunset which happens during the summer around 10pm at night up there.....
The sun drops like a rock..pretty quickly. Boom, just like that the day is gone.
So, as this particular vacation always happens around my Bday....this year being the beginning of my 49th year...it seemed pretty fitting at the time to spend it taking stock....and trying to figure out how I could slow the damn sunset down...I wanted longer days... 1 second to go by like 2. I think I decided at that point that from those days on each day needed to be about something more significant with regard to moments to learn, grow...or just appreciate. Now, I do that on a regular basis anyway BUT...I wanted it to be EVEN MORE so.
It just feels like we all get caught up in the busyness of our lives and we forget that it all starts INSIDE of each of us...I wonder too...if we spend our lives working on the externals so much that it enables us to NOT focus on the inside...the stuff that really matters..inner peace, love, happiness...contentment...fulfillment..
Why don't we want to look inside our own "closets" ?
What keeps us, some days, from that? If in the end, we've grown...up...closer....to whatever it is we want to be or closer to the people that we care about or closer to the way we see ourselves being??
It is truly amazing just to see it.
But here's the thing...WATCH just how quickly the sun drops.
Over the years whenever the spirit moves me I make my way to a place at the end of a given day just to take in the sight and reflect. Well, this past summer when we went up to Charlevoix and Petosky (places I'd visit a million times over....I ADORE Michigan-I always have.) each night the girls and I wound our way up over and through the dunes to sit at the beach and watch the sunset which happens during the summer around 10pm at night up there.....
The sun drops like a rock..pretty quickly. Boom, just like that the day is gone.
So, as this particular vacation always happens around my Bday....this year being the beginning of my 49th year...it seemed pretty fitting at the time to spend it taking stock....and trying to figure out how I could slow the damn sunset down...I wanted longer days... 1 second to go by like 2. I think I decided at that point that from those days on each day needed to be about something more significant with regard to moments to learn, grow...or just appreciate. Now, I do that on a regular basis anyway BUT...I wanted it to be EVEN MORE so.
It just feels like we all get caught up in the busyness of our lives and we forget that it all starts INSIDE of each of us...I wonder too...if we spend our lives working on the externals so much that it enables us to NOT focus on the inside...the stuff that really matters..inner peace, love, happiness...contentment...fulfillment..
Why don't we want to look inside our own "closets" ?
What keeps us, some days, from that? If in the end, we've grown...up...closer....to whatever it is we want to be or closer to the people that we care about or closer to the way we see ourselves being??
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Empowerment From Within
Two beautiful quotes:
"There is no need to run outside
For better seeing,
Nor to peer from a window. Rather abide
At the center of your being;
For the more you leave it, the less you learn." --Lao-Tze
"Truth is within ourselves.
There is an innermost center in us all,
Where the Truth abides in fulness; and to know
Rather it consists in opening out a way
Whence the imprisoned splendor may escape
Than affecting entry for a light
Supposed to be without." --Robert Browning
How much more can one add to that?
I feel so blessed to be alive at this moment....and in this moment, additionally, to feel whole and at peace from within.
"There is no need to run outside
For better seeing,
Nor to peer from a window. Rather abide
At the center of your being;
For the more you leave it, the less you learn." --Lao-Tze
"Truth is within ourselves.
There is an innermost center in us all,
Where the Truth abides in fulness; and to know
Rather it consists in opening out a way
Whence the imprisoned splendor may escape
Than affecting entry for a light
Supposed to be without." --Robert Browning
How much more can one add to that?
I feel so blessed to be alive at this moment....and in this moment, additionally, to feel whole and at peace from within.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Welcome!!!
So, I've finally gone and done it...created my very own blog.
Some are probably asking why???
Well...I think it goes along with my deep-seated calling...to affect positive change in as many people as possible with the time I have here in this body, in this life.
At the very least what I would like is for this to be a place where folks can come...read...slow down and think about the "what's" and "why's" of why they do stuff...
As some of you know in my professional life as a trainer I send out a weekly email. In that email occasionally I send on a bit of food for thought...something motivational that I have learned along my own journey. At the moment I am hoping this can be an extention of that...spiritual and motivational...It also allows me to reach a much wider audience.
So that said...I begin.
My first order of business is an awesome run this morning. Think about your own day...
how do you start them??
What do you do for yourself??your inside...that centers you.
Contrary to popular belief...life is NOT just about work...If that is the sole criteria for what you base your life on...then you are really missing so much.
Life is about NOW....It's about each moment...grabbing it...embracing it...the good and the bad...learning from it...feeling emotion.
We are wonderous beings.
Some are probably asking why???
Well...I think it goes along with my deep-seated calling...to affect positive change in as many people as possible with the time I have here in this body, in this life.
At the very least what I would like is for this to be a place where folks can come...read...slow down and think about the "what's" and "why's" of why they do stuff...
As some of you know in my professional life as a trainer I send out a weekly email. In that email occasionally I send on a bit of food for thought...something motivational that I have learned along my own journey. At the moment I am hoping this can be an extention of that...spiritual and motivational...It also allows me to reach a much wider audience.
So that said...I begin.
My first order of business is an awesome run this morning. Think about your own day...
how do you start them??
What do you do for yourself??your inside...that centers you.
Contrary to popular belief...life is NOT just about work...If that is the sole criteria for what you base your life on...then you are really missing so much.
Life is about NOW....It's about each moment...grabbing it...embracing it...the good and the bad...learning from it...feeling emotion.
We are wonderous beings.
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