Art Of Being

Some of my favourite " art of being human " quotes.

We must be the change we wish to see in the world.
- Gandhi

To do great work a man must be very idle as well as very industrious.

- Samuel Butler

Though we all have the fear and the seeds of anger within us, we must learn not to water those seeds and instead nourish our positive qualities — those of compassion, understanding, and loving kindness.

- Thich Nhat Hanh

 

Love all. Serve all. Help ever. Hurt never.

- Sathya Sai Baba

 

There are no guarantees.  From the viewpoint of fear, none are strong enough.  From the viewpoint of love, none are necessary.

- Emmanuel

 

The majority of us lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world.

There will most likely be no ticker-tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honour. But that does not lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people waiting for someone just like us to come along; people who will appreciate our compassion, our unique talents. Someone who will live a happier life merely because we took the time to share what we had to give. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have a potential to turn a life around. It's overwhelming to consider the continuous opportunities there are to make our love felt.
- Leo Buscaglia

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
- The Dalai Lama

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.
- William Shakespeare

Compassion for others begins with kindness to ourselves.
- Pema Chodron

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
- Leo Buscaglia

Giving connects two people, the giver and the receiver, and this connection gives birth to a new sense of belonging.
- Deepak Chopra

Interrelationship

You are me, and I am you.
Isn't it obvious that we "inter-are"?
You cultivate the flower in yourself,
so that I will be beautiful.
I transform the garbage in myself,
so that you will not have to suffer.

I support you;
you support me.
I am in this world to offer you peace;
you are in this world to bring me joy

- Thich Nhat Hanh

 

DESIDERATA

 

Go Placidly amid the noise and the haste

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself to others you may become vain and bitter,

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your career however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself, especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture the strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive God to be;

and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

 

Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

Art of Smiling Wisdom

Laughter is wonderful, healing medicine and a smile is the beginning of wisdom. This arty section is a work in progress .

 

1. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

 2. One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.....

 3. Atheism is a non-prophet organization.

4. If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes?

5. The main reason Santa is so jolly is because he knows where all the bad girls live.

6. I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.

7. What if there were no hypothetical questions?

8. If a deaf person swears, does his mother wash his hands with soap?

9. If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill himself, is it considered a hostage situation?

10. Is there another word for synonym?

11. Where do forest rangers go to "get away from it all?"

12. What do you do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant?

13. If a parsley farmer is sued, can they garnish his wages?

14. Would a fly without wings be called a walk?

15. Why do they lock gas station bathrooms? Are they afraid someone will clean them?

16. If a turtle doesn't have a shell, is he homeless or naked?

17. Can vegetarians eat animal crackers?

18. If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?
19. Why do they put Braille on the drive-through bank machines?

20. How do they get deer to cross the road only at those yellow road signs?

21. What was the best thing before sliced bread?

22. One nice thing about egotists: they don't talk about other people.

23. Does the Little Mermaid wear an algebra?

24. Do infants enjoy infancy as much as adults enjoy adultery?

25. How is it possible to have a civil war?

26. If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest drown, too?

27. If you ate both pasta and antipasto, would you still be hungry?

28. If you try to fail, and succeed, which have you done?

29. Whose cruel idea was it for the word "lisp" to have "S" in it?

30. Why are hemorrhoids called "hemorrhoids" instead of "assteroids"?

31. Why is it called tourist season if we can't shoot at them?

32. Why is there an expiration date on sour cream?

( Thanks Diann )

 

Conscious breathing is an important bridge

Thich Nhat Hanh, writes in " Peace Is Every Step"                                                                                        If you have lost your smile and yet are still capable of seeing that a dandelion is keeping it for you, the situation is not too bad. You still have enough mindfulness to see that the smile is there. You only need to breathe consciously one or two times and you will recover your smile. The dandelion is one member of your community of friends. It is there, quite faithful, keeping your smile for you. In fact, everything around you is keeping your smile for you. You don't need to feel isolated. You only have to open yourself to the support that is all around you, and in you. Like the friend who saw that her smile was being kept by the dandelion, you can breathe in awareness, and your smile will return. Conscious Breathing There are a number of breathing techniques you can use to make life vivid and more enjoyable. The first exercise is very simple. As you breathe in, you say to yourself, "Breathing in, I know that I am breathing in." And as you breathe out, say, "Breathing out, I know that I am breathing out." Just that. You recognize your in-breath as an in-breath and your out-breath as an out-breath. You don't even need to recite the whole sentence; you can use just two words: "In" and "Out." This technique can help you keep your mind on your breath. As you practice, your breath will become peaceful and gentle, and your mind and body will also become peaceful and gentle. This is not a difficult exercise. In just a few minutes you can realize the fruit of meditation. Breathing in and out is very important, and it is enjoyable. Our breathing is the link between our body and our mind. Sometimes our mind is thinking of one thing and our body is doing another, and mind and body are not unified. By concentrating on our breathing, "In" and "Out," we bring body and mind back together, and become whole again. Conscious breathing is an important bridge. To me, breathing is a joy that I cannot miss. Every day, I practice conscious breathing, and in my small meditation room, I have calligraphed this sentence: "Breathe, you are alive!" Just breathing and smiling can make us very happy, because when we breathe consciously we recover ourselves completely and encounter life in the present moment.

Art of Affirmations

Everything starts with a thought. Our thoughts create our reality.To a certain extent, we can choose our thoughts and in this way, we reframe the way we perceive reality. We have all done this over the years. We have 'programmed' ourselves with beliefs and thoughts and they served us well. But we change and our needs and circumstances change. So, are all of our old thoughts and programming relevant now? The good news is that we have the will to choose. When you are contemplating serious changes in your life, you could try working through Dr. Roberto Assagioli's 6 stages of The Act of Will : purpose, deliberation, decision , affirmation, planning , direction and execution. Affirmation is a pivotal stage in the act of willing once the stages of deliberation , choice and decision have been carried through. Spinoza said " The Will is the power of affirming or denying", and "power " here means two things: power in the sense of capacity and power as potency or energy.     To find out more about the Will , read : " THE ACT OF WILL " A Guide to Self- Actualisation and Self-Realisation  ~Roberto Assagioli. M.D.   Here are several affirmations in the form of a meditation that I find useful in raising consciousness , especially at the beginning of the day .     Raising Consciousness Affirmations   I align my mind and heart with all the intelligence and goodness of Spirit to realize the true abundance intended for me. I know in each moment I am free to choose I know my attitude completely shifts my reality. I know I am totally responsible for everything that happens in my life. My past is nothing more than the path I've left behind . What drives my life is the energy I generate in each of my present moments. Reflecting on the path of my past provides a treasure chest rich in wisdom. I release my doubts by knowing there is a valid reason for everything that happens. I realize I am always free to let go and observe my life. I let go of my regrets about the past and anxieties about the future. The closer I listen the more profound the Silence becomes. I know that my Highest Self is always present to elevate me to the real world beyond my senses. I know I can connect my mind to be One with the Divine Mind where there is peace in any moment. I know my self love is the gateway to all love. I know I am strengthened as I seek to make Truth my personal reality. I know that at the very essence of my Being the way of transforming my Life is through Love. My judgements prevent me from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances. I release my judgements to know what is real. I know I am already whole I need not chase after anything to be complete. I am aware I do not need to dominate anyone. To be spiritually awake I will live this day from my purest intentions for the highest good of all. to be continued ......

Thanks for visiting ... welcome back !

Works of art, chosen at random. I invite you to look and enjoy them;  feel, observe and notice what is happening in you as you look at these pictures.

Which pictures are you drawn to ?

Which do you not like ?

What is emerging in you ?

What are you aware of as you look at these pictures ?

What do you feel ?

What thoughts pass through your mind ?

What , if anything , would you like to say or express ?