True wealth

For in the true nature of things,

if we rightly consider,

every green tree is far more glorious

than if it were made of silver or gold

Martin Luther King

Threatened

The peace that we are looking for is not peace that crumbles as soon as there is difficulty or chaos. Whether we’re seeking inner peace or global peace or a combination of the two, the way to experience it is to build on the foundation of unconditional openness to all that arises.

Peace isn’t an experience free of challenges, free of rough and smooth, it’s an experience that’s expansive enough to include all that arises without feeling threatened.

Pema Chodron, Taking the Leap, Freeing Ourselves from Old Habits and Fears

Simple truth

No amount of anxiety

makes any difference

to anything that is going to happen

Alan Watts

Comparing

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

The beautiful flags

Keep your eyes open: God, his angels, are planting the beautiful flags we need to get home, to get others home.

Keep your vision clear, your heart open, and the hand outstretched.

Keep the beauty for only a second, then pass it on. Die with your heart full and your hands empty.

Tennessee Williams

Begin now

The first day of Spring yesterday was marked in Ireland with a fall of snow, heavy at times, but passing quickly.

Begin doing what you want to do now. We are not living in eternity.

We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake.

Marie Beynon Ray