Living Gently with Gratitude

Someone recently asked me how to live with grace when the world feels like it is "spinning out of control".  There are all kinds of things we can do to stay centered and tuned into the Silent Center... but nobody said it would be easy.

Remember, my friends, to start each day with an attitude of gratitude... not in a superficial way, but genuinely take a look at the wonders that you've been graced with..yes, even in times of crisis. Perhaps especially then.

Sit in silence for  few minutes.  Feel gratitude for this experience of being a part of this beautiful planet Earth.

Do yoga or tai-chi and appreciate the flexibility and strength that you have today.  Dance.  Sing.  Play an instrument.  Do some gardening.  Create art.  Create beauty. Be kind.  And when you take political action - do it from a place of love.

Schedule a session with me if you feel the need of some guidance.  Drawing strength from each other is a good thing.  Don't be afraid to ask for help when you feel the need... and then, when you feel ready, pass it on.

That's how this works.

I LOVE this quote:

“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh

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Love and Compassion Bring Happiness

“We can reject everything else: religion, ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the necessity of LOVE and COMPASSION….This, then, is my true religion, my simple faith.

In this sense, there is no need for temple or church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated philosophy, doctrine or dogma. Our own heart, our own mind, is the temple. The doctrine is COMPASSION. LOVE for others and RESPECT for their rights and dignity, no matter who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility, there is no doubt we will be HAPPY.”
~ Dalai Lama

Self knowledge

How many times have you faced challenges that, in retrospect, handed you the keys to the greatest gift of all: understanding yourself?  For it's easy to be kind, positive, compassionate and centered when everything is flowing along nicely, isn't it?  But it's the challenges in life that really show us our own strengths and limitations.

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Crisis of Consciousness

Every challenge we encounter, would be improved by increased consciousness.  Every relationship, every decision, every creation, is so much sweeter when it comes from expanded consciousness and love.

Lest you think this is a vast generalization, just imagine what life could be if we were more awake, more loving, more generous, more kind.  Imagine!

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