MUSINGS OF THE DAY - May 19, 2015

"I want you to be everything that's you, deep at the center of your being."

- Confucius - 

Knowing what's at the center of my being is a journey in and of itself, and for some, maybe a long journey without an arrival date. 

Have I arrived? Probably not, because it seems there are more things revealed about my inner person on a regular basis. An important aspect of my journey is to open to what is shown, instead of averting my eyes in fear.

I use to avert my eyes, to the point of denying myself the opportunity of not only coring to the center of my being but even of limiting my life experiences to some of the most painful. I wasn't willing to think outside the box I had placed myself in. I remained stuck in what I didn't want, in a way of living that was unfulfilling and boring.

Keeping my eyes open to what may emerge requires faith of some kind; faith that I will survive whatever comes into the light.

The light illuminates many things about myself, some that are in need of changing or getting rid of completely (if possible) and others that offer me freedom and a lightness of spirit that is indescribable. 

Honoring my writing, regardless of the results, is one of my freeing and spirit-altering truths. 

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Confucius was thought to have been in born in 551 BC in China, or what was known then as Zou, Lu. He left this world in 622 or 623 BC. He played many roles: "Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher."

MUSINGS OF THE DAY - May 3, 2015

"Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company,

 and reflection must finish him."

- John Locke -

As I rode my bicycle this morning to visit friends, my mind wandered over the past years of my life, reflecting on the ebbs and flows of change and resistance that life seems to generate. 

I've learned a few things over time, educated one could say (I still have the student loans to prove it). Valuable time indeed.

I have also basked in the illumination of various books too, reading and writing and contemplating what's written and what it means to me. I have been privileged to sit with others and expound on those readings and my life experiences, as well as listen to them offer themselves in light of what confounded me at the time.

All of these, education, reading, and good company, have supplemented my own personal reflection, and so doing have availed me the opportunity to succeed in my own life, especially when there was a time I believed there was no way to succeed.

Now, I'm not talking about money, that's all fine and well but it is not at the heart of what success means for me today. Success is living life to its fullest, to the best of my ability. I know how to stop and breathe. And laugh. And love another. And lend a helping hand. 

My gratitude abounds to those who snipped time out of their life schedules to partake in coffee-drinking and conversation. And all those darn books that populate my home with their brilliant spines.

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John Locke was born in Wrington, Somerset (England) on August 29, 1632 and left this world on October 28, 1704. An English physician and philosopher he was, "known as the 'Father of Classical Liberalism'." 

Locke attended the Westminister School (London) in 1647. He obtained his "bachelor's degree in 1656 and a master's degree in 1658" and "a bachelor of medicine in 1674."

Some of Locke's works are Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Two Treatises of Civil Government, and A Letter Concerning Toleration. His writings influenced some of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

MUSINGS FOR THE DAY - May 1, 2015

"When you're green you grow, when you're ripe you rot."

- Kermit the Frog - 

Being green says to me that I need to remain teachable to grow. That is always a challenge for me, because to grow means to change; the transition of changing from one thing to another is not always pleasant or confidence inspiring.

This reminds me of something a friend of mine says, "Be willing to grow where you're planted." That's definitely easier said than done. I don't always like where I'm planted, and I don't always like the prospect of having to grow there either.

I sure love the results of growth though.

I love the freedom I get when I practice humility, love, and compassion in my life. I love the result of having shown up and done what I could with where I was at. I love the release of stress and worry when I stop having to be right about everything all the time and remove my paws off of other people's lives and thoughts and ways of living; I don't have to give my stamp of approval for another to have worth or value, or to be wrong or right.

The freedom that growth brings is abundant. I can stand up for what I believe and practice those beliefs in my own life. I can use my voice, balanced with quiet when needed. I can have courage to try something new I wouldn't have done two years prior, to not be so afraid of the unknown. I can love greatly and give freely, because I don't have to attach my self-worth to material-matter or people.

Remaining teachable offers me pathways outside my normal behavioral patterns that lead me to a better way of living, which in turn opens the door to witnessing those about me, to know people as they are not the way I want them to be.

Today, I choose a green life, one full of branches of possibility, not because I expect I'll attain perfection but because my attempt is well worth my time. A certain amount of fumbling is guaranteed.

What do I have to lose?

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