July 16th, 2017

July 16th, 2017


Affirmation:  I am responsible for my life and always maintain the power I need to be positive and have joy.


Word of the Day: perspicuous (adj):

1. plain to the understanding especially because of clarity and precision of presentation

parallax (n):

1. the apparent displacement of an observed object due to a change in the position of the observer.

scapegrace (n):

1. an incorrigible rascal

One Song

Every war and every conflict

between human beings has happened

because of some disagreement about names.

It is such an unnecessary foolishness,

because just beyond the arguing

there is a long table of companionship

set and waiting for us to sit down.

What is praised is one, so the praise is one too,

many jugs being poured into a huge basin.

All religions, all this singing, one song.

The differences are just illusion and vanity.

Sunlight looks a little different

on this wall than it does on that wall

and a lot different on this other one,

but it is still one light.

We have borrowed these clothes,

these time-and-space personalities,

from a light, and when we praise,

we are pouring them back in.

The Tree of Awe

How does part of the world leave the world?

How can wetness leave water?

Don't try to put out a fire by throwing on

more fire. Don't wash a wound with blood.

No matter how fast you run, your shadow

more than keeps up. Sometimes it's in front.

Only full, overhead sun diminishes your shadow.

But that shadow has been serving you.

What hurts you blesses you.

Darkness is your candle.

Your boundaries are your quest.

I can explain this, but it would break the glass cover

on your heart, and there is no fixing that.

You must have shadow and light source both.

Listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.

When from that tree, feathers and wings

sprout on your soul, be quieter than a dove.

Don't open your mouth for even a cooooo.

Birdsong from Inside the Egg

There is an excess

in spiritual searching

that is profound ignorance.

Let that ignorance be our teacher.

The Friend breathes into one

who has no breath.

A deep silence revives the listening

and the speaking of those two

who meet on the riverbank.

Like the ground turning green in a spring wind,

like birdsong beginning inside the egg.

Like this universe coming into existence,

the lover wakes, and whirls

in a dancing joy,

then kneels down

in praise.

_____

10 Unconventional Ways to Practice Self-Compassion

Human beings are born with an unparalleled capacity to love others - which is not possible if we do not love ourselves. However, self-love and self-compassion are not automatic reflexes. They are choices we must make, practices we must integrate into our lives if we are looking to deepen our relationships with others - and to deepen our relationships with ourselves.

1. Shed Your Need For Approval

2. Follow Your Heart

3. Create Your Own Path

4. Let Go Of Being Perfect 

5. Try Again

6. Express Your Emotions

7. Speak Your Truth

8. Remain Optimistic And Hopeful

9. Think Creatively

10. Be Curious

Self-compassion isn't lazy. Self-love isn't narcissistic. When you love yourself, you bring about inner transformation, thereby changing the world around you through your unique expression of love. In the words of Oscar Wilde:

“I won't tell you that the world matters nothing, or the world's voice, or the voice of society. They matter a good deal. They matter far too much. But there are moments when one has to choose between living one's own life, fully, entirely, completely—or dragging out some false, shallow, degrading existence that the world in its hypocrisy demands. You have that moment now. Choose!”