Wounded

I wish I could tell you that I have it all together, that I know the answers and that there is not a war raging inside my head. I wish I could comfort you in all your times of need and tell you exactly what you need to here.

At one point or another, we will all be wounded; broken. In those dark moments of fear and sorrow, things can appear hopeless.

I have been there several times and am currently struggling through another cycle now. Though, a friend gave me a kind word today. He told me what I needed to hear. He told me that he to had been suffering and that things would be ok.

Being wounded is not a permanent state. It's not the amount of trauma or grief we have to deal with, it's the ability to realize the beauty in all things and to accept things for what they are.

Thought for the Day- Where there is great doubt, there will be great awakening; small doubt, small awakening, no doubt, no awakening.
Zen Saying

A Brush with Death

I don't know about you, but it's not often that I think about death. I don't dwell on it, it doesn't come up in conversation much; it's just not something that is thought about all to often for me.

Several weeks ago, I was sent to the hospital for heart palpitations. I kept feeling as if I were going to pass out or if all the blood was flowing out of my face. It was a scary feeling.

I am of course home now but still experiencing the heart palpitations on occasion. I go to see a cardiologist soon and hope to get the issue resolved.

At any rate, while I was in the hospital I began to think about death and life and my kids. I began to wonder if my life was worthy; if I truly appreciated the gift and lived to my truest potential. I know of course I am flawed as I am human but I think we are all capable of being better--of being more. We are all capable of living each day with gratitude in our hearts.

I am not ready to die yet. I accept that I am human and that death can come at any time; though my wish is to live on for a long time. I don't know how much longer I will live, but I know that however long it is will be appreciated.

Thought for the Day- As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
John F. Kennedy

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Lost in Thought

I've been feeling kind of off today. It's like not being able to shake a cold. I keep contemplating life and existence and the present and I know there's no destination but my feeble mind and ego I can't seem to convince.

I realize that everyday is of it's own. I also know that life is a gift to be appreciated and respected. Though, I can't help feeling a little somber today and can't quite put my finger on it.

Thought for the Day- Be true to yourself and don't be afraid to question anything. Live today as it is, let go of yesterday, and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Love Your Family

They say we can choose our friends, but we can't choose our family. Though, a family in my mind is not always made up of blood.

Growing up in the foster care system, I always longed for my family; or wondered what that even was.

I've come to realize, that family are the people in your life who will be there to hear your cries, to lend a shoulder and to share in laughter and the little joys in life.

To all my family, even those I have yet to meet: I love you. May your lives be filled with joy and may you bathe in the pleasures of knowing that you belong; that you are a part of something special, that you are family.

Thought for the Day- What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.
George Eliot

It Can't Always Snow

I awoke this past weekend with the intentions of hiking around mountains that are close to my house. The first day of spring has passed and I am anxious for adventure. Though, when I looked out my window I noticed it was snowing pretty good. I stepped outside and it was freezing!

I was immediately upset and disappointed that my plans were ruined. Then I realized...it can't snow all the time! Patience is a difficult lesson to master and even a tougher one to accept.

Thought for the Day- All human wisdom is summed up in two words-wait and hope.
Alexandre Dumas

Zen Enlightenment

If you are searching for the truth you will never find it. If you silence yourself, the truth will be revealed.

It is too easy to get caught up in thought and emotion. We will believe what we will and accept things based on our perceptions. But it is once we begin to doubt; that is when we truly begin to awaken.

Thought for the Day- Where there is great doubt, there will be great awakening; small doubt, small awakening, no doubt, no awakening.
- Zen Saying

The Best thing about Today

When we lay down at night, we assume we will awake the next morning. We don't consider the fact that today could be the last day.

Before I go to sleep, I try to look back at my day and evaluate. The best thing about today is our memories. We can always cherish memories. I try to think of how I was today, and if I should awake tomorrow, I will try to be better.

Thought for the Day- Today I will cherish, as if it were my last. And should I awake tomorrow, then I will be better than today.

Bring Peace and Be at Peace

The essence of Zen  is to be at peace, to be mindful and ever present. To go in search of something that does not exist is absurd. Zen is not a thing, it is a state of mind, a perception, it is everything and nothing.

Thought for the Day- The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there. 
-Robert M. Pirsig

Thoughts and Prayers go out to Japan

It is difficult to imagine a tragedy so great as what is going on in Japan right now. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and people of Japan.

My hopes are that in the aftermath of this great tragedy that the people of Japan can find sanctuary, can find peace within and that all humanity will reach out to help these people.

Thought for the Day- May the good in humanity shine through, and may all people come together to help our relatives suffering in Japan.

Zen Quote about Death

We know for sure that the physical body dies at some point. Though, what happens to the soul? I guess its human nature to survive thus we'd like to think that we keep going on--that there is some form of life after death.

This may be the case, and I hope it is, but how do we know?

Thought for the Day-
A samurai once asked Zen Master Hakuin where he would go after he died.
Hakuin answered "How am I supposed to know?"
"How do you know? You're a Zen master!" exclaimed the samurai.
"Yes, but not a dead one," Hakuin answered. -- Zen mondo

The Zen of Change

Everyday I read out of a book called, 'The Essence of Zen'. There are so many philosophical quotes and Thought for the Day type quotes--the one I have been reflecting on today is about living life to the fullest.

Its so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday dramma, stress and so forth. Having a good inspirational book to read everyday can be really helpful to remind you what a gift life truly is.

The following quote is out of the book 'The Essence of Zen'

Thought for the Day- The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear, for newer and richer experience.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

The Essence of Zen: An Anthology of Quotations (Pocket Positives)

Learning to Forgive

If you think back of all the fouls you have committed against others in life, you will begin to realize the gift of forgiveness.

It may be difficult to forgive those who have caused us great harm, though we are the only ones who will suffer from the weight we allow ourselves to carry. Don't be quick to anger, be quick to forgive.

Thought for the Day-

He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.

-George Herbert

Don't Forget to Brush Your Teeth

In trying to be a whole or balanced individual, sometimes we tend to overlook certain areas of our lives. I for instance made a goal of waking up 2 hours earlier than I normally do to have more time to pray and meditate. While this is a healthy habit to incorporate, I was not getting enough sleep and my health was suffering for it.

It can be difficult to find balance or to compromise, even with ourselves. We want wake up earlier to exercise but don't go to bed earlier to offset the loss in sleep.

To be in balance is to be considerate of all aspects of your life- physical, spiritual, mental and emotional. It is a constant challenge to stay in balance, but by making small adjustments and being mindful of thoughts, feelings, emotions- we are more adaptable and can begin to incorporate new ideas and ways of thinking into our lives.

Thought for the Day- Sit and be still. The grass grows all by itself- Zen Wisdom

Swing for the Fence

Never be afraid to chase your dreams. We were all told as children that we could become anything we want in life when we grow up. I think most of us believed that but lost our faith somewhere along the way.

Often we settle in life- settle for a job, settle for a mate- we don't analyze what we really want and then go after it.

As far as I know, we only get one shot at this, why not swing for the fences.

Thought for the Day- Hit the ball out of the park. Then you can take your time running around the bases- ??

Miracles in Life

Many of us look to the sky for a great message- expecting to have a divine spiritual experience or expecting to see 'the light' all the while missing the ant crawling across our leg.

Miracles are not something of divinity or something performed by man. Miracles are every breath and every waking thought.

Thought for the Day- There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.
-Albert Einstein

Letting go of Attachment

It seems funny that we strive so hard for certain things in life. We work all day to pay for a house that we live in in which we are never there because we are busy working to pay for the house.

It's almost backwards if you think about it. We work all our lives and then retire to enjoy the fruits of our labor. By the time we retire we are to tired to enjoy fruit, we are to busy going to the doctors and taking medications.

I don't know that there is any easy solution to this dilemma, I just find humor in the irony of it all.

Thought for the Day- The true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.
-Albert Einstein

Overcoming Adversity

We are all faced with challenges daily. We will continue to struggle in the midst of adversity.

Overcoming adversity is a one step process- keep moving forward. No matter what the obstacle, if you want the just reward, then you must persevere. You must continue putting one foot in front of the other.

It is easy to quit. Though it is not easy to accept the consequences of defeat. Yet there will and cannot be defeat if we continue to move forward.

Thought for the Day- I will Persist Until I Succeed
Og Mandino-The Greatest Salesman In the World

Never Lose Hope

When the bills become overwhelming- 48 hour electricity cut-off notices, low on food, no more diapers- or when things just don't seem to be lining up for you. These are the dark moments in life where it can seem almost impossible to see through the dark cloud to a brighter day.

Life is not always easy, and definitely harder for some. Despite the situation, we always have a choice. We may not like the outcome or be satisfied with our decision, but we always have a choice.

Hope is the one thing, amidst all situations in our lives that we can hold on to. It may seem grim but there is always hope.

Don't be afraid to have hope, to dream of something better- a better life. Miracles happen all the time, just look at a newborn baby and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Thought for the Day- Never lose hope, even in the darkest of moments

Zen is Doing the Dishes

It are those quiet moments in life when peace is ever present. Even doing a menial task such as the dishes can become a Zen moment.

When we reflect on the moments in life when we were most at peace, it is often overlooked without question those moments of true bliss that go overlooked that can only be found in the present.

Go do your dishes and you will know what I'm talking about.

Thought For the Day- Washing dishes is not only a Zen exercise, but you get the dishes clean too.
-Robert Allen

Don't Forget Yourself

I think we've all compromised ourselves at one time or another. Maybe you went along with the crowd or dressed a certain way or listened to a certain type of music.


We all want to be liked, to fit in; but at what cost? Is it worth losing ourselves in hopes of making friends or getting others to like us?


I think these type of things happen more specifically in adolescence; searching for acceptance or the right clique. It's too bad there wasn't a class that taught the coolness of being you.


You are the only 'You'. You are unique- there has never been another you nor will there ever be another you.


When you think about yourself in those terms...Man 'You' are pretty freakin cool, right?


If you've found that you lost yourself somewhere along the way or never really found 'You', spend sometime alone. Re-evaluate who you are and what it is you want out of life-what type of people you want to hang with-what type of clothes you want to wear. Don't be a people pleaser-f that, be your own 'You'.


Take time to enjoy you-you are a rockstar...even if no one else knows it.


Thought for the Day


We forfeit three-fourths of ourselves in order to be like other people.-Arthur Schopenhauer

The Present-Live There

Relish memories from the past; cherish them, but don't live there.
- Jason Hill

It's easy to get caught up in the past. Earlier tonight, my kids were rockin out to some Ton Loc on Youtube...man it took me back. Being a product of the 90's, that was right up my alley.

I started to think about my childhood and the innocence of a 12 year old boy. Those were good times; the best of times. Then it was time to eat dinner and I caught myself still reminiscing. There's nothing wrong with reminiscing, but sometimes we start down that path and end up regretting certain decisions or actions we chose.

Don't live in regret. Don't live in the past or the future. Living in either robs us of our truest gift...The Present- live there.

Serenity: Peace Within the Storm

"Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace within the storm"- unknown

When we accept things for what they are rather than go against the natural flow of things, then we can begin to realize true peace within our lives.

It's not about the situation, no matter; it's how we react. Be present in all that you do and you will find serenity.

Finding Courage

Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tommorrow."- Mary Anne Radmacher

We are often faced with difficult decisions; fearful of action or situation. True courage does not mean that fear is not present. It means moving forward in spite of fear.

I will Persist Until I Succeed

"If I Persist I will Succeed"-- An affirmation from 'The Greatest Salesman in the World' by Og Mandino

I'm sure this too has been said before or said somewhat different--the message is clear and is unwavering. Any task in life can  be accomplished with persistence. Any dream can be realized with effort.

In other words--Hard Work Pays Off!

Be Present in All You Do and You Will Know Peace

It's so easy to get caught up in our day-to-day lives-in the grind. We often take on 'roles'-employee, friend, companion-but do you ever stop to think about who you really are.

'You' are not any of these roles mentioned above-they are as stated, Roles. These are mere parts we play in life-our life, in the life of others.

Who we really are, at least from my perspective is something far more complex yet simple in nature as it is. What I mean is, we know we have the ability to think, feel, touch, taste, smell, hear and see. We have a physical form-the body- and then we have the inner us. Some may call this the spirit or devine energy. This is what I'm really getting at.

Sometimes we get caught up in our thoughts or worldly obsessions and forget to stop and just be; to take a look within and realize we are so much more than what we perceive-and to appreciate this truth...Something to think about.

Thought for the Day-  

The only way to end suffering is to accept suffering for what it is. The only way to accept anything is to be present. Be present in all you do and you will know peace.

You are not the Dancer, You are the Dance

Recently, I've been reading Eckart Tolle's 'A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose'. It's been an interesting and thought provoking read.

I've struggled in my life with anxiety and obsessive thoughts; this book has really helped me to examine my life and the way I perceive things to be. It's definitely put some things into perspective and helped me to realize some truths as well as be more appreciative- even in those dark moments.

So...Here is The Thought for the Day:

'In life, you are not the Dancer...You are the Dance'- from Eckart Tolle's 'A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose'