Archive for November, 2006
Posted by JD on
November 30, 2006
“It is our basic right to be a happy person, happy family, and eventually a happy world. That should be our goal.”
– Dalai Lama
Little adjustments to our attitude and approach each day can create a major difference in our appreciation of life. On the surface, nothing changes. At the same time, absolutely everything does.
Use your awareness or your imagination to bring happiness to this moment. Find something to appreciate. Do this as often as you remember to do so, and your world will transform.
“ … we can no longer afford to throw away even one “unimportant” day by not noticing the wonder of it all. We have to be willing to discover and then appreciate the authentic moments of happiness available to all of us every day.”
– Sarah Ban Breathnach
Posted by JD on
November 30, 2006
Releasing Your Expectations
As we endeavor to find personal fulfillment and realize our individual ideals, we naturally form emotional attachments to those outcomes we hope will come to pass. These expectations can serve as a source of stability, allowing us to draft plans based on our visions of the future, but they can also limit our potential for happiness by blinding us to equally satisfying yet unexpected outcomes. Instead of taking pleasure in the surprising circumstances unfolding around us, we mourn for the anticipation left unfulfilled. When we think of letting go of our expectations, we may find ourselves at the mercy of a small inner voice that admonishes us to strive for specific goals, even if they continually elude us. However, the opposite of expectation is not pessimism. We can retain our optimism and free ourselves from the need to focus on specific probabilities by opening our hearts and minds to a wide variety of possible outcomes.
When we expect a situation, event, or confrontation to unfold in a certain way, it becomes more difficult to enjoy the surprises that have the potential to become profound blessings. Likewise, we may feel that we failed to meet our inner objectives because we were unable to bring about the desired results through our choices and actions. Consider, though, that we are all at the mercy of the universal flow, and our best intentions are often thwarted by fate. As you grow increasingly open to unforeseen outcomes, you will be more apt to look for and recognize the positive elements of your new circumstances. This receptivity to the unexpected can serve you well when you are called upon to compromise with others, your life plans seem to go awry, or the world moves forward in an unanticipated manner by granting you the flexibility to see the positive aspects of almost any outcome.
The further you distance yourself from your expectations, the more exhilarating your life will become. Though a situation in which you find yourself may not correspond to your initial wants, needs, or goals, ask yourself how you can make the most of it and then do your best to adapt. Your life’s journey will likely take many unpredicted and astonishing twists because you are willing to release your expectations.
DailyOM
Posted by JD on
November 28, 2006
From: Science and Health, Spirituality.com
“When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns.“
-Mary Baker Eddy
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
205:22
Posted by JD on
November 28, 2006
Notes from the Universe - TUT.com
Did you know that if you choose to be joyful enough, John-Derek, it’s physically impossible to get angry, fret, stew, or worry?
And that if you choose it often enough, it’s physically impossible to be broke, sick, lonely, or confused.
Oh yeah.
Some things really are impossible -
The Universe
Should have shared that one a long time ago, huh, John-Derek?
Posted by JD on
November 28, 2006
Notes from the Universe - TUT.com
Sometimes it’s easy to forget, John-Derek, that everyone’s just on their way home.
That you’re all truly the best of friends.
And that this whole crazy thing kind of started as a dare - to see who might love the deepest, no matter how lost the others became.
Gosh, how you’re missed.
The Universe
Well, it’s kind of like the Playboy mansion here, John-Derek, except the castle is bigger, the bunnies are real, and everyone knows your name. Now, where did you say you kept the Marmite?