In the details

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The secret of happiness

lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life,

and in elevating them to art.

William Morris, English Designer, 1834 – 1896

Once we notice…

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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

At its own pace

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The meaning of life is just to be alive.

It is so plain and so obvious and so simple.

And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves

Alan Watts, The Culture of Counter-Culture

photo brandon wiggins

Sunday Quote: Perspective

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Sometimes one waits too long for the perfect moment before snapping the picture.

You never realize that all you needed was to change perspective.

Miguel Syjuco, Illustrado, 2008 Man Asian Literary Prizewinner

Not sorting things into good and bad

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Each day we can encounter setbacks or difficulties, or simply things may happen which we did not expect. And sometimes they can reveal a lot,  if they stir up our own mixture of unresolved issues linked to our past.  Rather than regarding them as diversions or obstacles on the path, we are encouraged to see them as where we are called to go. The “bad” situation becomes something to be skillfully worked with:

A person who falls to the ground gets back up by using that ground.

To try to get up without relying on that ground would be impossible.

Chinul, 1158–1210,

Zen Master considered to be the most significant influence on the formation of Korean Zen

An open being

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The moment you start clinging to things, you have missed the target — you have missed. Because things are not the target, you, your innermost being, is the target — not a beautiful house, but a beautiful you; not much money, but a rich you; not many things, but an open being, available to millions of things.

Osho

photo taken in Dunmore West, Co Waterford.