I do action meditation and become one with the whole . I become one with the universe when the universe actually sends a message- a method to BECOME Truth I losen and do what god says . I don’t wait and ignore the message I take heart and Trus god 100% . Hello from the London center in Wimbledon!
When you are running for your life
it is hard to live by your principles.
To be truthful,
I didn’t veer far off the track
except in relation to harming myself.
Principles
were ingrained in me
from the very beginning of my life . . .
I learned the basics
even though I wasn’t mature enough
to know fully
what it meant to have true compassion,
deep forgiveness,
generosity of spirit,
or gracious surrender.
I knew to be kind to others,
welcoming to strangers,
honest with both my peers and superiors,
and to follow orders.
Some of these were very strict indeed,
and I found myself
judging what was right
and what was wrong,
sometimes shifting the marks on the ruler.
I justified my behavior
to get what I thought I wanted at the time,
and quickly outgrew my parents’ home.
But.
as I was later to discover,
I was applying my principles to others,
and sacrificing my health and my sanity
to the god of i-don’t-care . . .
got myself into a lot of trouble too,
as you well know.
I honor my principles now,
but include myself in the equation.
Being grateful for my life
has brought me to this place.
I’m pretty scrupulous about others,
and am sometimes hit or miss with myself,
but I”m doing the best that I can,
and I don’t begrudge myself my efforts
(too much). ♥
One thing I never begrudge is moisture from the sky, dear Sparrow. It is again, very dry here, can you tell by my wishful thinking? Thank you for this reflection.
I do my best to own my thoughts, feelings and actions. When I take responsibility for what’s flying around in my head/mind and heart, I can act with compassion instead of react with fear and judgement. Interesting that today, Richard Rohr speaks of the problem with “original sin” which is a concept I have not bought into for the last few years. Basically, since I embraced the practice of gratefulness!
Neither have I,
dear Carol Ann . . .
I don’t think
that ‘sin’
is what we’ve all been brought up to think.
I think
that sin is a sickness of a soul
which can be healed,
but not always is
in this lifetime. ♥
You are so right.
Unfortunately,
dear Charlie,
loving kindness
is sadly lacking in the world today.
We must all be role models and teachers
without arrogance or expectations.
First of all, knowing my core principles is part of living them. Maybe I look at how I’m living my life to see what my current core principles are (or at least my priorities) are. Is this truly in line with my core principles. Is this who I am in my heart and soul? Is it how I want to be known by me/God/and others? I think a lot of us go through life without ever giving a thought to our core principles – we’re too busy paying bills, making plans, pleasing others and ourselves. That said, my primary core principle is the great commandment – to love God, others and myself as I was first loved by God. Out of that comes integrity, generosity, empathy, compassion, honesty, and attention to and appreciation for all God’s creation. And to love my dog as much as she loves me.
I try to be the person I would want someone to be to/for me. When I miss the mark, I can immediately feel misalignment in my soul. At that point I do what I can to correct course and move forward.
How do I live according to my principles? That feels like a big question.
I believe in being honest, and try to do that by being authentic in my interactions with others. If my authentic thoughts would be hurtful to another person, (just because I think it, I don’t have to say it) I keep my mouth shut, or think of a way to say something that would not be hurtful.
Being authentic with myself means that I look past day to day issues, and consider what is it that I want for my life, and then act on my answers. I’m at a point right now, that it’s time to act on doing some things that I would like to do. My husband and I are like day and night when it comes to how we want to spend our time. Things I want to do often don’t interest him. So I have to be strong and push him a little rather than just letting it go, do these things by myself, or find a friend who would like to do a particular thing with me. A current example, is that I would like to go to a concert in Tampa which would involve an overnight stay of one or preferably two nights. I was just going to let it go, as I have many times, when I have wanted to go to out of town concerts or when I have wanted to do various things involving family, ( more on that another day🙂) I’m going to look into going to this concert with a friend and if that doesn’t work out, I will go by myself. (Once my husband realizes I am going by myself, he might go with me, but maybe not). I don’t have to miss out on things I want to do, just because they don’t interest my husband. I’m going to seriously look into going. This may not seem like a spiritual want on my part, but it is part of enjoying my life, and it is important to me.
Thank you for reading this, to all who have gotten this far. 🤯😇
A quote from one of my favorite teachers, Pema Chodron:
« When you get out of your comfort zone, it expands. When you stay inside your comfort zone, it contracts. ».
This is something,
dear Mary,
that I deal with in my marriage,
though on a different level.
There are times
when I have to consider whether to compromise,
give in,
or do something on my own.
Trying to find a balance
is the tricky part.
I wish you the best
in your intention. ♥
I know I am living
« according to my principles » by how I feel. My heart, mind, and body are great barometers. When my actions are out of alignment with my principles/values, I know it immediately. It’s like my energy dims or I feel less powerful, less open. Can you tell I haven’t landed on quite the right descriptor? I just know it isn’t right for me, so it’s up to me to make a change. ♥️
I try to see the person before me and treat them with kindness and grace ( sometimes I fail). I try to make healthy choices and take care of my body ( sometimes I fail). I try to show those I love my feelings through action and words. Sometimes I fail. I give myself love and grace and appreciation even during those moments I fail and try to take time to learn from those mistakes,
Deann, no one is exempt from disappointment. It’s human nature. Conversion to Christianity has made it easier to let go. I was raised buddhist and will always have buddhist relative members. Buddhism is good because the truth is spoken in a way that feels comfortable and acceptable. But however, Christianity has been great for me. The firm vibes align with me. Truth is truth. Having that firm direction helps me feel forgiven, let go, and learn. After all, if Adam and Eve fell short, then everyone else has fallen short of him, but he still loves and forgives us regardless.
Sparrow, I just took a read and scanned the room. The new ounced idea reduces being judgemental and hard on ourselves. Looking at that angle, it aligns with my sentiment on how there’s no failure in life.
Just like with anything, there’s more than one school of thought. I see things from multiple angles. Seeing the problem first helps me recognize that we’re all imperfect, walking each other home, and helps me forgive, let go, and move on. It feels easier to work on myself, because I’m not alone. As someone who values stability and protection, I’ve learned to see the negatives first then eventually move to the positives.
But anyways, I appreciate your enthusiasm. Thanks for expanding upon my view by providing more angles for me.
I’m flexible with a structured foundation. Branching out and looking for people with common ground makes it easier to accept others for who they are and build upon my core principles of integrity, faith, and autonomy. The 1st 2 give me structure. Integrity prevents me from pulling strings to get what I want.
My relationship with my root people runs hot and cold. Having faith helps. Based on my bible reading yesterday, it’s the ability to fully trust someone rather than getting what we want which is the modern definition. Wrestling with our faith in our root people is like wrestling with our faith in god, because god put these people in our lives for a reason. He feels that they’re best for us. This reminds me of the “Drowning Man” parable where god went great lengths from what I remember vaguely, sent a helicopter and an airplane just to rescue that drowning man. He refused. According to the correct definition being the bible reading, I still have a good amount of work to do in faith. It’s easy for me to become distant over incompatibility, especially in how I prefer to receive care and the way my root people care for me.
As we already know, I love autonomy. Individualism is my bread and butter having grown up in the US from childhood. This all points back to flexible structure.
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I do action meditation and become one with the whole . I become one with the universe when the universe actually sends a message- a method to BECOME Truth I losen and do what god says . I don’t wait and ignore the message I take heart and Trus god 100% . Hello from the London center in Wimbledon!
Antoinette, I’m totally with you. It all points back to obedience to the lord. He knows best. We don’t.
I choose kindness. You never know what someone might be going through.
Robin Ann, today’s quote, Tuesday, 3/10, aligns beautifully with your response.♥️
That is so true, Robin Ann. I have thought about that many times.
When you are running for your life
it is hard to live by your principles.
To be truthful,
I didn’t veer far off the track
except in relation to harming myself.
Principles
were ingrained in me
from the very beginning of my life . . .
I learned the basics
even though I wasn’t mature enough
to know fully
what it meant to have true compassion,
deep forgiveness,
generosity of spirit,
or gracious surrender.
I knew to be kind to others,
welcoming to strangers,
honest with both my peers and superiors,
and to follow orders.
Some of these were very strict indeed,
and I found myself
judging what was right
and what was wrong,
sometimes shifting the marks on the ruler.
I justified my behavior
to get what I thought I wanted at the time,
and quickly outgrew my parents’ home.
But.
as I was later to discover,
I was applying my principles to others,
and sacrificing my health and my sanity
to the god of i-don’t-care . . .
got myself into a lot of trouble too,
as you well know.
I honor my principles now,
but include myself in the equation.
Being grateful for my life
has brought me to this place.
I’m pretty scrupulous about others,
and am sometimes hit or miss with myself,
but I”m doing the best that I can,
and I don’t begrudge myself my efforts
(too much). ♥
Sparrow, you are the author of your principles, you are the equation. What an honor to be so.♥️
What I have learned from the Universe,
dear Mary,
is the author of my principles.
I have also learned
that I am not the last word. ♥
One thing I never begrudge is moisture from the sky, dear Sparrow. It is again, very dry here, can you tell by my wishful thinking? Thank you for this reflection.
Don’t begrudge your wishful thinking either,
dear Joseph . . .
my belief is
that EVERYTHING counts,
and that includes your wishful thinking. ♥
Namaste
I do my best to own my thoughts, feelings and actions. When I take responsibility for what’s flying around in my head/mind and heart, I can act with compassion instead of react with fear and judgement. Interesting that today, Richard Rohr speaks of the problem with “original sin” which is a concept I have not bought into for the last few years. Basically, since I embraced the practice of gratefulness!
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-about-original-sin/
Neither have I,
dear Carol Ann . . .
I don’t think
that ‘sin’
is what we’ve all been brought up to think.
I think
that sin is a sickness of a soul
which can be healed,
but not always is
in this lifetime. ♥
“original sin”, Another idea of the controlling dogma that is organized religion, in my way of thinking.
I keep it simple. Kindness is my guiding principle.
Everything else floes from there.
You are so right.
Unfortunately,
dear Charlie,
loving kindness
is sadly lacking in the world today.
We must all be role models and teachers
without arrogance or expectations.
Amen! dear Charlie
First of all, knowing my core principles is part of living them. Maybe I look at how I’m living my life to see what my current core principles are (or at least my priorities) are. Is this truly in line with my core principles. Is this who I am in my heart and soul? Is it how I want to be known by me/God/and others? I think a lot of us go through life without ever giving a thought to our core principles – we’re too busy paying bills, making plans, pleasing others and ourselves. That said, my primary core principle is the great commandment – to love God, others and myself as I was first loved by God. Out of that comes integrity, generosity, empathy, compassion, honesty, and attention to and appreciation for all God’s creation. And to love my dog as much as she loves me.
Love it, Katrina. Your answer is similar to mine but expanded. In the 10 commandments, the top 3 are reserved for him but 7 are for us.
I try to be the person I would want someone to be to/for me. When I miss the mark, I can immediately feel misalignment in my soul. At that point I do what I can to correct course and move forward.
Beautifully written, Jill.♥️
JoAnn, I’m the same way. I take such great pride in credibility. I can’t lead others if I can’t lead myself.
How do I live according to my principles? That feels like a big question.
I believe in being honest, and try to do that by being authentic in my interactions with others. If my authentic thoughts would be hurtful to another person, (just because I think it, I don’t have to say it) I keep my mouth shut, or think of a way to say something that would not be hurtful.
Being authentic with myself means that I look past day to day issues, and consider what is it that I want for my life, and then act on my answers. I’m at a point right now, that it’s time to act on doing some things that I would like to do. My husband and I are like day and night when it comes to how we want to spend our time. Things I want to do often don’t interest him. So I have to be strong and push him a little rather than just letting it go, do these things by myself, or find a friend who would like to do a particular thing with me. A current example, is that I would like to go to a concert in Tampa which would involve an overnight stay of one or preferably two nights. I was just going to let it go, as I have many times, when I have wanted to go to out of town concerts or when I have wanted to do various things involving family, ( more on that another day🙂) I’m going to look into going to this concert with a friend and if that doesn’t work out, I will go by myself. (Once my husband realizes I am going by myself, he might go with me, but maybe not). I don’t have to miss out on things I want to do, just because they don’t interest my husband. I’m going to seriously look into going. This may not seem like a spiritual want on my part, but it is part of enjoying my life, and it is important to me.
Thank you for reading this, to all who have gotten this far. 🤯😇
Self-actualized you will be, Mary.♥️
A quote from one of my favorite teachers, Pema Chodron:
« When you get out of your comfort zone, it expands. When you stay inside your comfort zone, it contracts. ».
Carry on, Mary.♥️
Great quote! Thanks, Mary.
I love Tampa’s Riverwalk – if you go check it out.
That’s good to know, Michele. Thank you!
Enjoying your life is a very spiritual part of life, Mary.
I agree, Joseph. Thank you!
This is something,
dear Mary,
that I deal with in my marriage,
though on a different level.
There are times
when I have to consider whether to compromise,
give in,
or do something on my own.
Trying to find a balance
is the tricky part.
I wish you the best
in your intention. ♥
I agree, Sparrow.
I can do things my husband’s way, compromise, or do things on my own.
It’s good to have choices. ♥️
Mary, I’m rooting for you! It’s not always easy to go alone but I think it is good to learn how to do so.
Thank you for the encouragement, Carol Ann. When I push myself a bit, I end up feeling more free.
I know I am living
« according to my principles » by how I feel. My heart, mind, and body are great barometers. When my actions are out of alignment with my principles/values, I know it immediately. It’s like my energy dims or I feel less powerful, less open. Can you tell I haven’t landed on quite the right descriptor? I just know it isn’t right for me, so it’s up to me to make a change. ♥️
You know when you know,
dear Mary . . .
I think that is the most important thing. ♥
I try to see the person before me and treat them with kindness and grace ( sometimes I fail). I try to make healthy choices and take care of my body ( sometimes I fail). I try to show those I love my feelings through action and words. Sometimes I fail. I give myself love and grace and appreciation even during those moments I fail and try to take time to learn from those mistakes,
Deann, I like to frame it . . . . six forward, four back . . . . five forward, three back. Slow goin’ but progress nonetheless.
Deann, no one is exempt from disappointment. It’s human nature. Conversion to Christianity has made it easier to let go. I was raised buddhist and will always have buddhist relative members. Buddhism is good because the truth is spoken in a way that feels comfortable and acceptable. But however, Christianity has been great for me. The firm vibes align with me. Truth is truth. Having that firm direction helps me feel forgiven, let go, and learn. After all, if Adam and Eve fell short, then everyone else has fallen short of him, but he still loves and forgives us regardless.
You might want to read the meditation that Carol Ann posted,
and find it helpful,
dear Loc . . .
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/what-about-original-sin/
Sparrow, I just took a read and scanned the room. The new ounced idea reduces being judgemental and hard on ourselves. Looking at that angle, it aligns with my sentiment on how there’s no failure in life.
Just like with anything, there’s more than one school of thought. I see things from multiple angles. Seeing the problem first helps me recognize that we’re all imperfect, walking each other home, and helps me forgive, let go, and move on. It feels easier to work on myself, because I’m not alone. As someone who values stability and protection, I’ve learned to see the negatives first then eventually move to the positives.
But anyways, I appreciate your enthusiasm. Thanks for expanding upon my view by providing more angles for me.
I’m happy,
dear Loc,
that the meditation
resonated with you. ♥
Be kind and compassionate. Respect others. Follow the Yamas & Niyamas. Shine my light brightly so that others will allow theirs to shine, too ✨
One day at a time. Focus on presence, positivity,kindness and always gratefulness.
Wishing everyone a good Monday:)
And a happy Monday to you, Michele. ☀️
I’m flexible with a structured foundation. Branching out and looking for people with common ground makes it easier to accept others for who they are and build upon my core principles of integrity, faith, and autonomy. The 1st 2 give me structure. Integrity prevents me from pulling strings to get what I want.
My relationship with my root people runs hot and cold. Having faith helps. Based on my bible reading yesterday, it’s the ability to fully trust someone rather than getting what we want which is the modern definition. Wrestling with our faith in our root people is like wrestling with our faith in god, because god put these people in our lives for a reason. He feels that they’re best for us. This reminds me of the “Drowning Man” parable where god went great lengths from what I remember vaguely, sent a helicopter and an airplane just to rescue that drowning man. He refused. According to the correct definition being the bible reading, I still have a good amount of work to do in faith. It’s easy for me to become distant over incompatibility, especially in how I prefer to receive care and the way my root people care for me.
As we already know, I love autonomy. Individualism is my bread and butter having grown up in the US from childhood. This all points back to flexible structure.
With Loving Kindness. Treat our home with respect. Being grateful for the gift of another day to witness ‘It’. Peace, Love & Light.
I live simply, give more, expect less and enjoy every moment.
EJP, you have shared this principle that guides your life a few times prior. It is always a good reminder. Thank you. ♥️