The real essence of good is found only within things under your own control.
If you keep this in mind, you won’t find yourself feeling jealous or lonely, pitifully comparing yourself and your accomplishments to others.
Epictetus, died 135 AD, Stoic philosopher, Enchiridion, Chapter 19
We are made, the scriptures of all religions assure us, in the image of God. Nothing can change that original goodness. Whatever mistakes we have made in the past, whatever problems we may have in the present, in every one of us this ‘uncreated spark in the soul’ remains untouched, ever pure, ever perfect. Even if we try with all our might to douse or hide it, it is always ready to set our personality ablaze with light.
Eknath Easwaran, Original Goodness
Some people think that it always takes time
for the mind to arrive in the space of silence.
How about simply dropping this idea,
simply feeling how you are sitting right now,
in contact with the ground and thus with the earth
in this earth contact that knows neither here nor there.
Simply letting yourself feel how you are sitting right now
in contact with the space above your head and thus with the sky
in this sky contact which knows neither yesterday not today.
Silvia Ostertag, It Takes No Time [extract]
Do the best you can until you know better.
Then when you know better
do better.
Maya Angelou
A new month begins….
We are daily forced to choose between depression and anxiety. Depression results from the wounding of the individuation imperative; anxiety results from moving forward into the unknown.
That path of anxiety is necessary because therein lies the hope of the person to more nearly become an individual. My analyst once said to me, “You must make your fears your agenda.” When we do take on that agenda, for all the anxiety engendered, we feel better because we know we are living in ‘bonne foi’ [good faith] with ourselves.
Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the perception that some things are more important to us than what we fear.
James Hollis, Jungian Analyst, Swamplands of the Soul: New Life in Dismal Places
The mysteries of time and the calendar: a Leap Year “extra” day
As time goes on, you’ll understand. What lasts, lasts; what doesn’t, doesn’t.
Time solves most things. And what time can’t solve, you have to solve yourself.
Haruki Murakami
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