Welcome to my Daily Inspiration - Daily Quote. See today's daily inspirational quotes below.
May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Set Life’s Rhythm with Your Heart-Drum - Jonathan Lockwood Huie


Set Life’s Rhythm with Your Heart-Drum
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Life is your dance. Set your own beat, your own cadence. Take the lead in your own life.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Mary Anne Radmacher: Dare to dream of your great success

Dare to dream of your great success 
- Mary Anne Radmacher 

dare to dream of your great success.
become intimate with those things which

deeply motivate you and regularly work

toward the realization of that mission.


At 28 years I traveled out of the country. Alone. In London. My bed and breakfast was filled with accents from all over the world and my ear was not yet trained to the unique inflection spoken in the Queen’s English. My second day there I intended to purchase one ticket for LES MISERABLES (it had opened the October before). Between jet lag and my language challenge I accidentally purchased two.

It took some amount of negotiating to persuade the young intellectual from Germany to be my guest at that night’s performance. While he insisted that musicals were frivolous and a waste of time, he thriftily concurred that not using my second ticket would be a waste of money.

That night both our world views shifted. As Fantine wept over her lost love and life in I DREAMED A DREAM, the heart in my guest was breaking. I resolved: never to be so achingly in the grasp of regret. The music became my soundtrack for many years. I cannot speak of the standing of his life but I know that night he was the first to stand to his feet as the curtain began its close. Hands above his head he was weeping for the wonder. He saw that what he had thought was one thing (frivolous musicals) was something else entirely.

And so it was for Susan Boyle, an almost 48 year old English woman who’s never been kissed, and lives alone with her cat. As she competed on BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT the somewhat cynical judges balked as she answered Simon Cowell’s, “What’s the dream?” with, “I want to become a professional singer.” Who in the audience didn’t laugh?

Somewhat nervous, rather awkward and no apparent stitch of makeup on her face she waited for the music to begin. She began to sing. The audience registered audible and visual surprise. Like my reluctant guest their assessment of one thing turned out to be something else entirely. As when any person is completely engaged with their passion, Susan transformed as I watched. Her dream enlivened her and took away any sense of nervousness.

As the audience stilled and returned from their leaping feet to their seats…I was reminded of the wisdom of George Eliot (aka Mary Ann Evans) who courageously embraced her dream and passion saying, “It is never too late to become who you might have been.” Said another way, “Continue to live toward your dream – the ultimate embrace of it will be worth your journey.”

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Happiness cannot thrive within the prison of obligation. - Jonathan Lockwood Huie


Happiness cannot thrive within the prison of obligation.
Live wild, life free, live as master of your own fate.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Monday, April 27, 2009

Sunday, April 26, 2009

I am a passionate Observer of Life - jlh


I am a passionate Observer of Life. I see the events, feel the emotions, and recognize the difference.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Friday, April 24, 2009

There is sanctuary in being alone with nature. - jlh


There is sanctuary in being alone with nature.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Take a long walk alone in the woods - leave the iPod at home. Your whole BEing will appreciate it.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

The #1 Secret of Great Relationships


Behind all the issues that separate an ordinary relationship from a great one, is one common factor. Behind all the truly helpful advice on improving your life together, there lies one key to a great relationship.

Many different kinds of problems can cause a relationship to fall apart. Physical or emotional abuse, addictions, cheating, jealousy, and neediness are just a few of the issues that can destroy a relationship. But once the many potentially disastrous problems have been avoided, what have you got? Perhaps a relationship that qualifies only as "pretty good." But what creates a really great relationship?

At the beginning, we are in relationship because we are attracted to the other person - we think they are sexy, smart, funny, whatever it is that we find appealing. But very quickly, the focus of the relationship turns to whether we feel appreciated. If we don't feel appreciated, we don't feel loved.

It is common for those entering into a relationship to hold an idealized image of how a perfect partner is supposed to act. Perhaps a man is supposed to open car doors. Perhaps a woman is supposed to wear a certain kind of underwear. The internal dialog goes something like this, "Jim (or Sally) is a wonderful person and loves me. After we're together, he will change because he loves me so much. He will stop wanting to hang out with his friends, watch football games, whatever." How can anyone feel appreciated when their loved one is wishing or hoping for them to change.

The greatest roadblock to a great relationship is trying to force a partner to change through bribes or threats. This classic human tendency is lampooned in the long-running off-Broadway musical comedy "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change." It's funny to watch other people go through the cycle of searching for the perfect mate, believing they have found that person, and than gradually attempting to remold the supposedly perfect partner. Unfortunately, in real life, this pattern is a cause of immense suffering.

I Love You Just the Way You Are
The number one secret of a great relationship is accepting our partner EXACTLY as they are. We cause ourselves untold misery whenever we believe our loved ones to be imperfect and try to change them.

To create a great relationship, say and mean, "I love you just the way you are." No pretense. No hoping for change. No thought that it used to be better, or might get better. Follow through by living into that sentiment every day.

Falling into the trap of thinking, "I wish you were different" or "Please change." is no way to show your love. Happiness lies in this number one rule of great relationships: Love and accept your partner exactly the way they are.

Epictetus: We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character.


We can't control the impressions others form about us, and the effort to do so only debases our character.
- Epictetus

Monday, April 20, 2009

Let me bring peace into moments of chaos - jlh


Let me bring peace into moments of chaos.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

How often we have times that try our patience and our sanity. Our boss is having an angry day and makes unreasonable demands. The driver in the next lane gives us the finger. Our neighbor rants how if he ran the town, he would just kill off all the dogs and cats, and if he were president, he would just bomb all the SOBs. Our instinctive reaction is to get angry and fight back.

In times like that, pause, and consider how life looks to that other individual. Although they are acting belligerent, in truth they are very much afraid of life. In their reality, life is a dangerous and fearful undertaking, and their instinct is to respond aggressively to that perceived danger.

At such times, consider breathing deeply and slowly, and thinking compassionate thoughts about that person. If it fits your belief system, pray for the anger, pain, hatred, and fear to be washed from their souls. If it fits your belief system, have an intention for their well-being, and send them healing energy. Whatever your belief system, know that they are troubled and wish inner-peace for them.

I strongly recommend that you express your prayers and intentions silently. Saying openly to an angry person, "I pray for you to receive inner-peace." is almost certain to provoke an even angrier reaction.

By establishing a compassionate intention toward an angry person, you can then maintain your own inner peace as you interact with them.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

I create Today as a celebration of my life - jlh


Today. That is what exists. Today has reality. Today, we can laugh, cry, resent, regret, fear, love, plan, forgive, express gratitude, feel a myriad of other emotion, and undertake a virtually unlimited range of actions.

Yesterday is now only a memory, and tomorrow is only a dream (or a nightmare). Today (each Today) is the only day you ever have. Use it wisely.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Favorite Buddhist Quotes

I occasionally quote the Buddha and the Dalai Lama, and have found that this makes some of my readers uncomfortable. With apologies both to those who are well versed in Buddhist philosophy and to those who have been taught that Buddhism is a pagan affront to Christianity, I would like to present my two-minute overview of Buddhism.

Siddhattha Gotama, known as the Buddha, lived in India about 500 BC - at the time the second temple was being constructed in Jerusalem. He was a wise teacher, and is revered, but not worshiped, by those of the Buddhist philosophy. He was born into a wealthy family, but left home as a young man to seek insight into the nature of life. At first, he denied himself all earthly goods and pleasures, nearly starving himself. Then he came to the realization that possessions and comforts were not inherently evil and that asceticism (self-denial) was not a path to enlightenment or unity with Spirit. He discovered that the block to enlightenment is ATTACHMENT to the things of this world, rather than the things themselves. This great revelation is known as the Middle Way - living in moderation, without either gluttony or denial, and without attachment.

Buddhists believe that suffering is inherent in life, and that suffering is the result of attachment. Eliminate attachment to the things of this world, and you eliminate suffering.

Over the last 2500 years, Buddhism has spread and has developed variants. Some branches consider the Buddha to be what Catholics would call a "saint," but others do not. Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, is the current leader of the Tibetan branch of Buddhism. There are about 350 million Buddhists in the world today. I encourage you to read more about Buddhism.

Here are some of my favorite Buddhist quotes:

Hate is never conquered by hate,
Hate is only conquered by love.
- The Buddha

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
– The Buddha

You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger.
- the Buddha

Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.
– The Buddha

What we think, we become. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world.
- the Buddha

Your worst enemy cannot harm you as much as your own unguarded thoughts.
- The Buddha

Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.
- The Buddha

I teach one thing and one only:
that is, suffering and the end of suffering.
- The Buddha

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

The purpose of our lives is to be happy.
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

Through violence, you may 'solve' one problem, but you sow the seeds for another.
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.
- Thich Nhat Hanh

The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with. To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else's eyes.
- Pema Chodron

Be gentle first with yourself - if you wish to be gentle with others.
- Lama Yeshe

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Time, like life itself, has no inherent meaning.


Time, like life itself, has no inherent meaning. We give our own meaning to time as to life - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Is five minutes a short time or a long time? It's a short time if you're reading an engrossing novel, but it's forever if you are in excruciating physical pain or emotional distress. Your boss says he needs that report in twenty minutes. Does your blood pressure rise? Your heart race? How does a sense of urgency impact your life? What if you could redefine your relationship with time? What if you could meet life on your own terms?

Our instincts combine with our cultural habits to translate the demands that are made of us into stress. The instincts are a little harder, but the cultural habituation can be reversed with consciousness and focused questioning.

Whenever you feel stressed, start asking questions. Begin with, who is making the demand? Have you granted them the authority to make demands of you? What would be the consequences of declining the request or negotiating an extended deadline? Whatever you decide, always put yourself first. When you make the decision to accommodate others' demands, remember that you chose that path, and look for ways to enjoy the activity. When you decide to find an alternative, never feel guilty about your decision. It's your time and your life.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Joseph Campbell: The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.


The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. – Joseph Campbell

Fear of the unknown is our greatest fear. Many of us would enter a tiger's lair before we would enter a dark cave. While caution is a useful instinct, we lose many opportunities and much of the adventure of life if we fail to support the curious explorer within us.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Be the Melody in the Symphony of Your Life


Be the Melody in the Symphony of Your Life - Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Yes, it's your life. Yes, it is all about you. In the symphony of your life, you are the star. You write the melody and the lyrics. You are the soloist and the conductor. You are merely a bit player in other people's lives, but in your own life, you are the star.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Percy Bysshe Shelley: Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair


'Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
- Percy Bysshe Shelley

The works of man do not endure. Ancient Egypt thrived for thousands of years before its civilization was overthrown by outsiders. America, at less than 300 years, isn't even out of diapers. Security and happiness cannot come from physical things, whether cars, homes, or seemingly indestructible monuments of civilization. Lasting joy can only come from within and from connection with Spirit.

Vengeance: On the Unworkability of Vengeance

I find three major reasons to purge all thoughts and feelings of vengeance from my life:

1. It is abhorrent to the value systems I honor.

2. Lusting after vengeance raises my blood pressure, makes me physically and emotionally unhealthy, and causes my life to be dominated by suffering rather than joy.

3. It doesn't work. Whether personal or international, vengeance begets more vengeance in an unending cycle.

The Buddha says, "Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned." and "Hate is never conquered by hate, Hate is only conquered by love."

Jesus says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:38-39,43-44)

Ever heard of the Hatfield-McCoy feud? In the post-Civil War period, these families indulged in reciprocal murder in the hills of West Virginia and Kentucky. In several ways, the feud was typical of feuds throughout history. It began in a small way and escalated. Belief systems were involved (the families had been on opposite sides of the Civil War). Honor, land, and tangible property were at stake. Some say it began as an argument over a pig. One way in which it was not typical is that it was over in thirty years. Some of the world's great feuds have been fought continuously for over a thousand years.

The Hatfield-McCoy feud is a useful example because few if any people alive today have a vested interest in it. It is relatively easy to see that killing each other over a pig, small amounts of money, accusations of lying, a clandestine affair, and the like, is sheer foolishness. But what about the feuds in which we are personally involved - both interpersonal and international.

My first instinct whenever I have been injured is to seek revenge. I believe it's a human reaction that is as old as humanity itself. A business partner didn't repay a large loan to me. I wanted revenge. I was sued over something that wasn't my fault. I wanted revenge. Clearly the act of wanting revenge is counterproductive. Anger and hate are unpleasant emotions. In my quest to live a joyful life, anger and hate have no place.

But suppose I could succeed in my vengeance? Wouldn't I feel really good? Maybe briefly, but the elation would be short-lived. Achieving victory at the expense of someone else's suffering isn't my cup of tea. Moreover, the vengeance would escalate, because no one wants to feel a perceived dishonor. Since I have made the choice to stop my anger, hate, and vengeance, my life has been far happier and healthier.

Vengeance on an international scale is just a larger version of the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Anger, hatred, murder, revenge killing. Generation after generation murdering in an attempt to extract vengeance for the deeds of their ancestors. Where does it stop? Sometimes one side prevails militarily for a time. Then what? Perhaps the defeated party gains renewed strength and resumes the battle. If the weaker side remains subjugated, they develop the attitude and skills of a cornered ferret. They will fight to the death - house to house - as in Palestine today.

Do feuds ever end? Only when both sides shake hands, and agree that there is no winner, no loser, only people who have wearied of fighting and desire to live in peace. For many years, Northern Ireland was locked in a murderous and seemingly unending feud. The key to ending the feud was a shared commitment that peace was more important than vengeance. That is always the choice to be made. The organizers of an April 10, 2009 joint Protestant-Catholic commemoration of the Northern Ireland dead, comprised of members of the once-outlawed Sinn Fein as well as their once-avowed enemies, referred to, "the terrible, random nature of death in war and civil conflict." Some lessons have been learned, many more remain.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Love even those who hate you

You have heard that it was said,
'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
But I tell you: Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you.
- Matthew 5:43-44

Because the word "enemy" carries the connotation of mutual hatred, I prefer the wording, "Love even those who hate you." to "Love your enemies."

You have heard that it was said,
'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person.
If someone strikes you on the right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
- Matthew 5:38-39

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.


Hate is never conquered by hate,
Hate is only conquered by love.
- The Buddha


Rising above hatred has always been seen as a virtue by the wisest of each generation. 

Today, in the Middle East, there is much hatred. Consider praying for peace to enter the hearts of all those who are filled with anger, hate, and a compulsion for vengeance.

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Is today the day to find joy?

Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.
- Benjamin Franklin
Is today the day to find the joy that can never be found in criticism, condemnation, or complaint?

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Take Nothing On Authority


It may seem cynical to say, "Trust No One," but it can actually be a reassuring and positive thought. I am not presuming that others wish you harm. A few may and most don't, but that's not the issue here. For the purpose of this discussion, let's assume that everyone has honorable intentions, and is not doing anything self-serving. Let's further assume that they have your best interest at heart and are volunteering to help you with no consideration of benefit to themselves. This is a bit of a stretch, but it sets the stage for the real point.

In their most generous moments, people are attempting to provide you with what they think is best for you. That's a problem. Have you ever been happily curled up on the couch on a Saturday afternoon when there was a knock on your door and several cheerful and enthusiastic people offered to show you their way to achieve salvation? They sincerely believe that they know what is best for you. Apply this thought to everyone in your life from the life insurance salesman to your mother. Under the best of circumstances, they sincerely want to provide you with the advice that they believe will enable you to live the life that they think you should. Disregarding any doubts of their sincerity and ability, the question becomes whether you choose to live the life someone else wishes for you.

As I have said before, Conscious trust is one of the underpinnings of a great life. However, what I am asking you to consider today is the difference between trusting someone's intention, and trusting their ability to know what is best for you.

In the example above, I TRUST that the visitors at my door want the best for me (unless that trust is broken). What I don't trust is that they are a better judge of how I should live my life than I am.

Many of us have been conditioned to trust others' opinions more than our own, and I believe that sort of trust is excessive. This is especially true with regard to authority figures - doctors, lawyers, priests. I trust my doctor's intentions toward me, but I don't blindly follow his suggestions without checking other sources also. He was trained to prescribe a pill for everything, and does it with the best of intentions, but I often choose to trust God's quiet voice inside me rather than my doctor's medical advice.

It is impossible for anyone to advise you on anything without presuming that they know what you should want. For example, this article is prompted by my belief that you should want to make your own decisions about your life. But don't trust me on that, it's your life.

Don't decide who to trust, decide which ideas to trust.

Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.
– The Buddha

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

What lies beyond the veil?

Except for the saintly, all of us have doubts about what lies beyond the veil of death.

Some of us openly acknowledge that we have no idea what follows death. Others avow a firm belief, but harbor secret doubts. Very few have an unwavering belief in the exact nature of their destination.

Fear of the unknown is the greatest fear of humankind, and death is our greatest unknown. What to do? Acknowledging the doubts and the fears is a powerful beginning. It is liberating to say, "Yes, I don't know, and yes, I am afraid." Beyond that, the path to happiness lies in living in the moment - enjoying what you are doing today. You don't need a reason to be happy, just a choice.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

The World's 10 Most Inspiring Quotations

These ten inspiring quotations from diverse cultures and times represent the thread of enlightenment and compassion that has always run through the greatest among us. Click on each name to see more.

This above all, to thine own self be true.
- William Shakespeare

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.
- Confucius

Happiness depends upon ourselves.
- Aristotle

A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Lao Tsu

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
- Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama

All things share the same breath - the beast, the tree, the man... the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports.
- Chief Seattle

Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man.
- Rabindranath Tagore

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
St Francis of Assisi

There are no facts, only interpretations.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

There are only two ways to live your life.
One is as though nothing is a miracle.
The other is as though everything is a miracle.
- Albert Einstein

Clearly, this list is a personal selection. What quote tops your list of most inspiring? Please post your favorite quote as a comment.

Monday, April 6, 2009

Habits - Like Water to a Fish

As fish are unaware of water because they have never known anything else, so too, we are unaware of our habits until we discover alternatives.

While we may have some habits, like smoking, that we recognize as habits, we also have many habits of which we are completely unaware. Many of the opinions we hold are rooted in habitual thinking, rather than in careful analysis.

Consider making an on-going practice of questioning all your repetitive behaviors. Perhaps some of them are habits you would like to break.

You may wish to review Choose Your Habits, Choose Your Life.

Sunday, April 5, 2009

What's done is done - William Shakespeare


What's done is done - William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is talking about acceptance. The facts of the past can never be changed. What we can choose is how we view those facts and whether we allow them to corrupt our future. Whatever happened, you did the best you could, given the knowledge and abilities you had at the time. Tomorrow is a new day. Begin with a fresh outlook that does not project your past into your future.

Consider reviewing Visualize a kinder world

Saturday, April 4, 2009

UNITY - the eighth Point of Simply An Inspired Life


UNITY - the eighth Point of Simply An Inspired Life

I Am One With Spirit and All Creation - I give thanks for the unity of all creation and for everything that has brought me to this moment. I release my entire being to the gentle nurture of Spirit.

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing,
there is a field. I will meet you there. - Rumi

As we light a path for others, we naturally light our own way.
- mary anne radmacher

When the vast cathedral of our being becomes a sanctuary for all creation, we become the face of God.
- jonathan lockwood huie

Feel Unity with Spirit and All Creation
All things share the same breath the
beast, the tree, the man... the air
shares its spirit with all the life it supports.
- Chief Seattle

When I see Spirit in Everything, Peace is at hand.

UNITY ‐ we are all one ‐ the web of life.

You are never alone. Your Higher Power, whatever that means to
you, is a constant support ‐ never hesitate to ask for guidance and
blessing. Remember that Spirit knows better than you what is best
for you, so ask for comfort and affluence rather than the affections of
a particular person or a higher paying job. Whatever your
circumstances, and however often you may have felt rejected, there
are many people in this world who live in the tradition of the "Good
Samaritan." When troubles weigh upon you, do not hesitate to find
and rely upon these people ‐ they are far more numerous than you
think.

Know Unity With Spirit: There are as many ways to connect with
Spirit as there are people ‐ each of us has our own way to receive
strength and serenity from the Infinite. Your life will be happier if
you acknowledge that you are not alone, become open to that
presence, and create ritual to celebrate your connection. You may
feel your bond with Spirit at the Lord's Supper, in Songs of Praise, in
Calls to Prayer, in Meditation, while doing Yoga or Qigong, or while
walking in the woods. However you connect with Spirit, do it today.

My wish, today, for each of you is Joy, Honor, acceptance of diversity,
and Unity with Spirit and All Creation.

May your spirit soar throughout the vast cathedral of your being.
May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity.
May your heart sing sweet lullabies of timelessness.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Thursday, April 2, 2009

CELEBRATION - the seventh Point of Simply An Inspired Life



CELEBRATION - the seventh Point of Simply An Inspired Life
I Dance with a Light Heart - I play with life, laugh with life, dance lightly with life, and smile at the riddles of life, knowing that life's only true lessons are writ small in the margin.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. - Albert Einstein

Celebration has many different outfits but she always wears the same beautiful dancing shoes. - mar

The beauty does not live out there; the beauty's in my eyes. - jlh

Today is your day to dance lightly with life. It really is. today is your day to dance lightly with life, sing wild songs of adventure, invite rainbows & butterflies out to play, soar your spirit, and unfurl your joy.

Smile. Today would be a wonderful day not to take life so seriously. Today may end up the way you prefer ‐ and it may not. Happiness is not about being a winner ‐ it's about being gentle with life ‐ being gentle with yourself. Let life be a dance, and choose the kind of dance you want for today ‐ perhaps a gentle loving dance.

"Life is not supposed to be fair." ‐ jlh
There is a secret wisdom-of-the-ages that holds the key to breaking our cycle of self-imposed suffering. The secret wisdom is, "Life is not supposed to be fair."
v This is not sad news. This is GLORIOUS news! Life is not broken. Nothing is wrong. God has not failed, died, or gone on vacation. The world is working perfectly. We just misunderstood. Somewhere along the way, someone got the idea that life was "supposed" to be "fair," and all the trouble started ‐ expectation, disappointment, resentment, anger ‐ a whole cycle of suffering that began with the belief that life is "supposed" to be "fair."

If you still think that life is supposed to be fair, read National Geographic or watch Animal Planet. Humans are not exempt from the nature of life.

We admit to our children at a fairly young age that the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause are fairy tales. Why not prevent immeasurable suffering and confess to our children at that same age that life is not supposed to be fair?

Life is NOT "Supposed to be Fair": Know that there is no single way that life is "supposed" to be. Demanding that life meet our expectations is a sure fire recipe for a miserable existence. Life is a game with no rules. Life just happens to us regardless of our best intentions. Our only path to happiness lies in being open to receiving whatever life throws at us ‐ with Gratitude. Have NO Expectations of life.

Life is a constant opponent, and an overpowering adversary if attacked directly. The successful and happy ones dance lightly with life ‐ a parry here, a feint there ‐ always engaged, but never in the direct line of life's heaviest blows.

Dance Lightly With Life: Life does not have to be a serious undertaking. You will make mistakes, you will feel regrets, and eventually, you will die ‐ so what? Happiness comes from dancing lightly with life ‐ playing hopscotch on the river of life ‐ leaping gracefully from joy to joy while laughing at the threats of calamity ‐ even laughing hysterically at our human frailness when we do fall into the muddy torrent.

The moment you start seeing life as nonserious, a playfulness, all the burden on your heart disappears. All the fear of death, of life, of love everything disappears. - Osho

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Epictetus: We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how to respond to them.


We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how to respond to them.
- Epictetus (Greek ca. 55–ca. 135)
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