The Zen teacher Doris Zölls?
Clarity
I would love to be sure and clear about who I am. And at the same time not to confuse myself with my ego, which often seems so comfortable and convenient.
I see her clarity and, as a result, her love.
My Mother’s friend Nan who took me under her wing after my Mother died. She tells me my Mom asked her to keep an eye on me and my children and she certainly did. I admire her support, compassion, wisdom and truly her friendship over the years! 24 to be exact but I knew her also growing up and spending time with our families. She was my High School career counselor too. She has been such a blessing to me!
A dear friend and elder who is of humble, kind, honest and generous of heart, someone living up to these values and being an example of a human of clarity and integrity to all around, inspiring other kindred hearts including me in the sense of how the Little Prince (Saint Exupéry) would express it – “You can only see well with your heart”. Once a long time ago there was a terrible misdeed of mine which needed to be atoned by me. Nevertheless having been helped in this intention to do so, which is work in progress now, is pure generosity by this one and some other dear hearts full of unconditional love. May all blessings be with the ones concerned. After a long way of through painfully facing the related themes, of nevertheless having been supported even to overcoming deepseated fear and of resisting to accept, finally the only reply to it now is and will be deep gratefulness and to do my best to live up to these values also, wherever I am and whatever will be, taking responsibility and accept the consequences in life´s flow with a deep bow.
Like Loc, I need to go the NBA route with this one and say Stephen Curry 4 time NBA champion from the Golden State Warriors – who will also be playing with USA basketball at the Olympics in just a few weeks. His self confidence, discipline, focus, determination, kindness, and overall positivity are all qualities I’d like to embody.
i THINK THE QUOTE FROM THICH HANH says it all. “As long as we’re rejecting ourselves and causing harm to our bodies and minds, there’s no point in talking about loving and accepting others.” My monkey mind definitely needs more monitoring these days.
Here I am back out here because Richard Rohr’s daily meditation was so powerful and helpful for me. I had to share! If you are not comfortable with the word “God” just substitute the word Evolution.” https://cac.org/daily-meditations/evolving-faithfully/
My maternal grandmother. After my mother, her daughter, died at 38 she was my life line. Grandma’s resiliency, faith, and endurance are the qualities I want to embody.
That is a hard question. I don’t think you can admire someone if you do not truly know them. We look at SOME political folks…mostly from the past…and I think..wow they did a good job…Perhaps in many ways of politics they did..but what about their personal lives, their families, friends…were they really good people. Many folks are “star studded”…they see actors and actesses as “Great”…Mmmmm…then we have family members…my first thought is always my Mom…she was a wonderful woman and had a very hard life. It never got better for her. She never was able to just sit…she always worked…every single day of her life -since childhood. Yet…she was the most loving and wonderful Mom, I could imagine. There is so much of her that I hope is in me. Overall…I just want to love and be loved, to be kind to others, and honest. I just want to be a good person! I try..but often I fail..but I will continue that as long as I am able. The Saints…the martyrs…wow…all above whatever I could aspire to. So I just take them as an example of how some live a life worth living. I sure hope this makes some sense!! As always, I write and talk from my heart. Wishing all a Bright Sunday!
My grandma Mamie on my mother’s side. She was the epitome of kindness, lovingness, openness, and forgiveness. She didn’t let life fluster her too much and she trusted God more than anyone I’ve ever known. She was well loved because of her big heart. I miss her, but I know her spirit is still with me.
So many possibilities here, and I’ve landed on my dear Friend, Marie. She was one of my first Tai Chi teachers and we just clicked. Marie was smart, well read, exemplified frugal beauty in her life, and had her priorities straight. She travelled the world on a shoestring, even retiring early so she could do so. She appreciated all, yet suffered no fools. She appreciated herself as she aged, along with its difficulties. The last time I was with Marie, in her home, in the Canadian wilderness, we both knew it would be the last time we would be with one another. Yes, we were sad, but the over-riding feeling was one of deep appreciation for having known, and been with one another. Marie passed at 91, in her home, on a snowy wintry night, almost as if she had planned it. We shared winter as our favorite season. Stay open, say yes. 🩷
What a wonderful friend, Marie sounds like. I can picture in my mind…all you wrote about her. It seems it was a priviledge to have known her. Living and dying in her beloved home…a beautiful end to her life. Thank you for this.
If I could embody the qualities of someone… perhaps, something, I would choose flowers. I admire flowers because of their innocent nature. No matter how long they live – some living shorter lives than others, they still beautifully bloom and bring beauty to our lives. Lately, I’ve been thinking too much about my future, holding onto the hope of finding happiness in life. If one day my hope collapses, my life might collapse as well. So, I want to live like the flowers I admire – not worrying about the future, but simply being beautiful in the present.
My Ngoc, that’s a unique answer. They come in many: colors, shapes, and sizes. Nature is beautiful and innocent. This all reminds me of Shunryu Suzuki’s “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” where he has a chapter dedicated entirely on naturalism.
I had a professor of biology in college who taught genetics and evolution. He was a grey haired, slightly overweight man with a walrus type mustache. Of course he wore glasses and seemed to be towards the end of his career.
He was always upbeat if not happy, and soooo enthusiastic about his topic of study. There were no stupid questions, and he answered all with equnimity, praising all who participated and reaching out to those who seemed reluctant. His enthusiasm was most apparent when we went on a field trip to examine live snakes, salamanders and fish in the wilds of Ohio. To him everything was fun, amazing, interesting and worth studying.
So I sort of wish I had that quality of interest and enthusiasm, and also that I could treat all who I meet with similar interest and enthusiasm.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
The Zen teacher Doris Zölls?
Clarity
I would love to be sure and clear about who I am. And at the same time not to confuse myself with my ego, which often seems so comfortable and convenient.
I see her clarity and, as a result, her love.
I admire anyone who truly wants peace in our world & works to make peace a reality.
I admire people who speak truth. ✨
My Mother’s friend Nan who took me under her wing after my Mother died. She tells me my Mom asked her to keep an eye on me and my children and she certainly did. I admire her support, compassion, wisdom and truly her friendship over the years! 24 to be exact but I knew her also growing up and spending time with our families. She was my High School career counselor too. She has been such a blessing to me!
A dear friend and elder who is of humble, kind, honest and generous of heart, someone living up to these values and being an example of a human of clarity and integrity to all around, inspiring other kindred hearts including me in the sense of how the Little Prince (Saint Exupéry) would express it – “You can only see well with your heart”. Once a long time ago there was a terrible misdeed of mine which needed to be atoned by me. Nevertheless having been helped in this intention to do so, which is work in progress now, is pure generosity by this one and some other dear hearts full of unconditional love. May all blessings be with the ones concerned. After a long way of through painfully facing the related themes, of nevertheless having been supported even to overcoming deepseated fear and of resisting to accept, finally the only reply to it now is and will be deep gratefulness and to do my best to live up to these values also, wherever I am and whatever will be, taking responsibility and accept the consequences in life´s flow with a deep bow.
I added a link to my original post for today at 2:30 pm CDT…Highly recommend it!
Like Loc, I need to go the NBA route with this one and say Stephen Curry 4 time NBA champion from the Golden State Warriors – who will also be playing with USA basketball at the Olympics in just a few weeks. His self confidence, discipline, focus, determination, kindness, and overall positivity are all qualities I’d like to embody.
Yes, to Steph. Love #30.
Too bad the “Splash Brothers” are no more.☹️
Lauryn, Steph’s a great guy. That US olympic team is loaded. LeBron’s on it too.
Yes! Looking forward to watching Steph and LeBron playing competitively together on the same team.
i THINK THE QUOTE FROM THICH HANH says it all. “As long as we’re rejecting ourselves and causing harm to our bodies and minds, there’s no point in talking about loving and accepting others.” My monkey mind definitely needs more monitoring these days.
Here I am back out here because Richard Rohr’s daily meditation was so powerful and helpful for me. I had to share! If you are not comfortable with the word “God” just substitute the word Evolution.”
https://cac.org/daily-meditations/evolving-faithfully/
Thank you, Carol… a very meaningful reflection. God Bless You, my friend.
And yes, me too.
This one spoke to me today too.
Me, too.
The quality of putting people at ease in social situations.
My maternal grandmother. After my mother, her daughter, died at 38 she was my life line. Grandma’s resiliency, faith, and endurance are the qualities I want to embody.
That is a hard question. I don’t think you can admire someone if you do not truly know them. We look at SOME political folks…mostly from the past…and I think..wow they did a good job…Perhaps in many ways of politics they did..but what about their personal lives, their families, friends…were they really good people. Many folks are “star studded”…they see actors and actesses as “Great”…Mmmmm…then we have family members…my first thought is always my Mom…she was a wonderful woman and had a very hard life. It never got better for her. She never was able to just sit…she always worked…every single day of her life -since childhood. Yet…she was the most loving and wonderful Mom, I could imagine. There is so much of her that I hope is in me. Overall…I just want to love and be loved, to be kind to others, and honest. I just want to be a good person! I try..but often I fail..but I will continue that as long as I am able. The Saints…the martyrs…wow…all above whatever I could aspire to. So I just take them as an example of how some live a life worth living. I sure hope this makes some sense!! As always, I write and talk from my heart. Wishing all a Bright Sunday!
Amen! dear Nannette.
And isn’t writing a beautiful, helpful way to let your thoughts unfold and be shared. Thank you for your heartfelt words, Nannette.
The qualities I admire, are compassion
and kindness. And that would be so many
people that I have known and people I
have read about.
My grandma Mamie on my mother’s side. She was the epitome of kindness, lovingness, openness, and forgiveness. She didn’t let life fluster her too much and she trusted God more than anyone I’ve ever known. She was well loved because of her big heart. I miss her, but I know her spirit is still with me.
Sunnypatti, My grandma on my mother’s side was also named Mamie!!! She too was kind, loving & a gentle soul.
I can feel them both smiling down on us 🙂
So many possibilities here, and I’ve landed on my dear Friend, Marie. She was one of my first Tai Chi teachers and we just clicked. Marie was smart, well read, exemplified frugal beauty in her life, and had her priorities straight. She travelled the world on a shoestring, even retiring early so she could do so. She appreciated all, yet suffered no fools. She appreciated herself as she aged, along with its difficulties. The last time I was with Marie, in her home, in the Canadian wilderness, we both knew it would be the last time we would be with one another. Yes, we were sad, but the over-riding feeling was one of deep appreciation for having known, and been with one another. Marie passed at 91, in her home, on a snowy wintry night, almost as if she had planned it. We shared winter as our favorite season. Stay open, say yes. 🩷
Wish I could have known Marie! Thanks so much for sharing with such vulnerability and depth. Your posts are very helpful to me.
Likewise, Carol. You are most welcome.
What a wonderful friend, Marie sounds like. I can picture in my mind…all you wrote about her. It seems it was a priviledge to have known her. Living and dying in her beloved home…a beautiful end to her life. Thank you for this.
You are welcome, Nannette. Your recognition of her as a wonderful friend is spot on.
If I could embody the qualities of someone… perhaps, something, I would choose flowers. I admire flowers because of their innocent nature. No matter how long they live – some living shorter lives than others, they still beautifully bloom and bring beauty to our lives. Lately, I’ve been thinking too much about my future, holding onto the hope of finding happiness in life. If one day my hope collapses, my life might collapse as well. So, I want to live like the flowers I admire – not worrying about the future, but simply being beautiful in the present.
My Ngoc, that’s a unique answer. They come in many: colors, shapes, and sizes. Nature is beautiful and innocent. This all reminds me of Shunryu Suzuki’s “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” where he has a chapter dedicated entirely on naturalism.
I had a professor of biology in college who taught genetics and evolution. He was a grey haired, slightly overweight man with a walrus type mustache. Of course he wore glasses and seemed to be towards the end of his career.
He was always upbeat if not happy, and soooo enthusiastic about his topic of study. There were no stupid questions, and he answered all with equnimity, praising all who participated and reaching out to those who seemed reluctant. His enthusiasm was most apparent when we went on a field trip to examine live snakes, salamanders and fish in the wilds of Ohio. To him everything was fun, amazing, interesting and worth studying.
So I sort of wish I had that quality of interest and enthusiasm, and also that I could treat all who I meet with similar interest and enthusiasm.
To find one’s passion in life is a great gift.
John, Thanks…lot of food for thought here.