Tag: inspiration

Life as it is

Karl Duffy1 Comment

Bolton 44

It would be great if life proceeded from one moment of perfect happiness to the next, but for most of us, this is not the case. So, just as Dante did, we must proceed by another path, the path through our personal hell, where we encounter moments of pain and feelings of loss and confusion. Given that this is so, you can either live in denial of the truth of your experience or obsess on your pains and disappointments. Or you can consciously accept, even embrace life not working out and trust that in doing so you will discover meaning in your life.

If you choose to consciously embrace pain and loss as your teachers, life itself is not disappointing; it is a series of moments to practice being with life as it is.

Philipp Moffitt, Living with Disappointment

Darkness and light

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File:Candle-flame-and-reflection.jpg

Today is the Christian feast of Candlemas,  which traditionally involved the blessing of candles for use in the home. It was a reminder that light will return, sustaining people around this midway point of winter, giving encouragement when the cold and darkness seemed to be never-ending.  It helped people to realise that darkness  and not-knowing are natural parts of the cycle of life and death, just as are periods of cold and lack of growth. Stepping into unknown territory  is necessary from time to time.

Life is a good teacher and a good friend. Things are always in transition if we could only realize it. Nothing ever sums itself up in the way that we would like to dream about. The spiritual journey involves going beyond hope and fear, stepping into unknown territory, continually moving forward. The most important aspect of being on the spiritual path may be to just keep moving. Usually, when we reach our limit, we  freeze in terror. Our bodies freeze and so do our minds. Rather than indulge or reject our experience, we can somehow let the energy of the emotion, the quality of what we’re feeling pierce us to the heart. This is a noble way to live. It’s the path of compassion – the path of cultivating human bravery and kindheartedness.

Pema Chodron.

Sunday Quote: Nowhere to go

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File:Beaumont bench.jpg

We have what we seek

it is there all the time

and if we give it time,

it will make itself known to us.

Thomas Merton

photo the mightyquill

Once we notice…

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File:Winter berries (1).jpg

The aspects of things that are most important for us

are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity.

And this means: we fail to be struck by what, once seen,

is most striking and most powerful.

Ludwig Wittgenstein, Philosophical Investigations

photo dave parker

Sunday quote: A Wide heart

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bali

But I always think that the best way to know God

is to love many things

Vincent van Gogh

with thanks to Nicolas for the photo

One hand at a time

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File:Guaricano-Bambini.JPG 

The word authentic comes from the Greek, authentes, which means bearing the mark of the hands. Doing small things with love is how we care for each other, one hand at a time. Doing small things with love releases our courage. And each small act we’re led to leads to more.  Doing small things with love is the atom of bravery.  I tell myself when afraid, “to be courageous, I don’t need to become my best self, I just need to open who I already am and courage will fill me”.

Mark Nepo

photo donpaolo