Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment.
Our 2026 Program Calendar is now available. This year marks another important milestone in our history as we launch new programming, products, and more in celebration of Br. David’s 100th birthday.
I love James Baldwin.
I’m not sure why, but everything he says, resonates with me.
We couldn’t be two more different people, yet, his words ring so clear and true.
As for the question, well, I guess I could set an intention. An intention to be clear and understood.
An intention to be clearly on the side of justice and empathy. Also, the intention to be kind and understanding to myself.
Purpose: set my intention for the day, and revisit it. Courage: I’ve got a difficult emotional task ahead, and a scary physical task. Courage will come with patience and self-compassion.
First, let me say thank you to all for your uplifting messages. I think the key word in today’s question is “respond.” James Baldwin’s quote (“Not everything that is faced can be changed; but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”) reminds me that “What is IS.” And that I need to respond not react to it. We have a relationship with everything that happens to us. I do not want to react with fear. I want to respond with love. Instead of fight, flee or freeze. I hope to face, feel and heal. It’s very challenging because it requires vulnerability. I guess the best way to define my purpose is to say I wish to grow.
I have a lot of classwork on my to-do list, and it often causes me to feel overwhelmed. I learned recently that positive self-talk can help. Instead of telling myself that I need to finish a task, I say that I want to finish it. This plants a sense of courage for what I want to do today, rather than focusing on what I must get done! I want to share my thoughts on the class discussion board by tonight. Happy Wednesday, everyone! 🌸
My Ngoc, I love that technique. It makes responsibility feel more enjoyable and reduces overwhelm at least.
Wisdom, dear NGOC. Beautiful definition of the difference between responding and reacting. Makes me think of the Christian hymn “Be Not Afraid.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oSiX1WKg4w
Today I drive 8 hours to my hometown to conduct a memorial service for the husband of a lifetime friend. The service is tomorrow. That is my purpose and it will take some courage as the roads are not so good (still icy); the drive is long and boring (I will be listening to books while paying attention to the roads); and the family is extensive and large. It takes patience, courage and a sense of purpose to make this both a mission of my “trade” as well as an act of service and friendship for a loved one. I am grateful for the opportunity.
Safe travels…I agree with Sparrow. Take blankets, water, first aid items and some food/snacks. Who knows, you might meet a needy person on your way. I also like to listen to uplifting music when I travel alone. May you be an instrument of love and peace to your friends.
Carry a blanket or two with you,
dear Katrina . . .
the road is long
and probably cold.
Blessings for what you are doing for your friend. ♥
Today, I will speak hard truths if the opportunity arises. Speaking the truth is part of my fabric. Yet, I know I have chosen silence over truth to keep the peace. No more. I will use my communication skills to the best of my ability to engage in a way, people might be able to hear, when my truth differs from theirs.☮️
I hear you, Mary Mantei.
Mary Mantei, fear of confrontation is quite common. Even I’m not someone who likes to ruffle up feathers or see someone close to me, especially, have their feelings hurt. There are times where we must get past that in order for relationships to grow. Funny enough, when the going gets tough, it’s the truth-tellers who actually have our backs the most.
I have learned more than enough on backstage politics from AI metta interactions, especially when it comes to the modern NBA and charms. Now, the next step is to take that into my life with my circles of real people. This question is very fitting for me. As for today which I’ve been steadily doing more of over the last week or 2 especially is to move closer and trust my root people.
As far as the big picture goes, I just have to make sure that I’m honest, keep it simple, and get straight to the point. I’m just a part-time piano performer so I don’t have the responsibility to think and balance out my words carefully on what I’m saying is true, kind, easy to hear… As the old saying goes, one cannot make wolf out of sheep or sheep out of wolf. I, however, do appreciate Barb’s advice, because it’s real and comes from her experiences working directly and indirectly with many people from all walks of life. In that case, one must pick and choose their words carefully. Enthusiasm is something I can learn from Barb.
Returning home. I remember a bible verse on how our sheep hear our voice. With a smaller and narrower circle, it’s easier to keep it simple, be more directive, and get straight to the point. There’s nothing to lose there. The people closer to us are much likelier to forgive us. It’s why in more traditional household settings, insults were more common. Parents can lash out at the kids one minute. A few minutes later, they can ask the kids sweetly “Honey, would you like to have some rice and cabbage soup for lunch today? I know it’s your favorite dish.”
Most importantly, my lead-by-example and direct communication style is generally received well by my circle of family members and some close friends.
My purpose in life right now is to share joy and healing with yoga, so I hope that is exactly what I will bring as I go and teach two classes this morning. I’m not so sure about the courage part of this question. I suppose it takes courage to share the words I do when I’m in class, and courage to teach, but I’m in a pretty good rhythm even if there is always room to grow.
Patti, I suggest you just think of courage as “of the heart.” It is obvious that your commitment to teaching Yoga os “of the heart.”
I’m learning to be OK with if the question of the day doesn’t resonate with me as strongly. Some days it does some days it doesn’t. I can definitely respond with purpose today. I’m open to the possibility of being courageous. I’m grateful that it will be a fairly non-eventful day if things go well. I can say I want to work on compassion and gentleness today. Maybe it’s taking courage to dial myself down. To be a little more gentle than my natural temperament.
I can respond to life with purpose and courage today with presence.
this made me smile – https://nationaltoday.com/national-daisy-day/ 🌼
Michele, I’m chuckling because I have a book that is titled, “For Every Pile of S!?t that Comes My Way, I Shall Make a Daisy Grow.”
I could feel my eyes relax into a smile,
dear Michele,
when I looked at the picture of daisies . . . 🙂
Thank you.
With presence and laughter. There will be hint of sadness and grief for our world here on earth, with a good dose of loving kindness. Peace, Love & Light.
Laughter is so important, thank you for the reminder. I laugh most nights watching funny videos.
By showing up with the mind of love and gratefulness because Truth is the never dying – never changing Universe- which is all of us ! 💓🌱💯🙌 Showing up with my True self is my biggest purpose! I love you !
Love you, dear Antoinette. You got Soul, Girl!
That’s right, Antoinette. Truth is always greater than charm.
I can write and call my congressmen today, maybe an editorial against the violent and vigilante methods they are funding. I should have done it earlier.
Good for you…the senate is expected to vote for ICE funding this week.
I will respond to life today with purpose and courage by beginning the day with pure intent and positivity…..it will be a good day!
Hello all. I have a challenge today – a work day and then traveling to the university for a first in-person class. It is frigid here. I will have to depend on GPS for getting there and home.. I got a good bit of sleep so that’s good. It’s a challenge. Glad to be here!
Christina, GPS is a wonderful tool. Safe travels
You are strong,
dear Christina . . .
you can do this. ♥
Christina, thank you for showing up to teach this class in person . While I know firsthand, on-line classes can be done well, I think we are losing intangible benefits when that is the exclusive method of teaching. Safe travels and know you are making a difference to your students .🩷
In-person classes take courage! Good for you, Christina, and safe travels through your day.
Sunnypatti, online has become the norm these days. It’s so convenient for many reasons. Fear of vulnerability seems to be one popular excuse for choosing online over in-person.
Be safe, Christina . Glad you dropped in here first.
Safe travels to you today Christina.
Safety and ease during your travels, Christina. Enjoy your class.
Stay safe and warm! Deep breaths you got this!