The Sacredness of Tears

Growing up, I was often told not to cry; that crying was a sign of weakness and men don’t cry. It is only in becoming a man that I have learned the truth about tears. Tears are sacred; tears can express the ultimate truth of you in a moment that no word could define.

Tears come in many forms and for various reasons. They are all sacred and unique. Tears can tell a story or heal an old wound. Just as you should never pass up the opportunity to learn and grow as a human being, you should never hold back the gift of sacred tears.

Thought for the Day- And the smile that is worth the praises of earth is the smile that shines through tears.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Thought on Love

Be in love...be crazy in love. Throw caution to the wind and give of yourself freely. Many people would consider this wreckless, dangerous, foolish, etc.

I would say, anyone who does not love fiercely, give all their heart, will never know the true potential of love.

We only get one shot at this. Life is too short not to be happy. I've been watching that show Bridezilla's, man that is crazy.

 Why would anyone treat another human being with such disregard? Further, why would someone allow themselves to be treated so badly?

I say love hard! Go for it! Not just with intimate relationships, but with all relationships. Love your brothers and sister, your nieces and nephews, your neighbors and co-workers. Life is what you make of it. I choose to love.

Thought for the Day- It is possible to live twenty-four hours a day in a state of love. Every movement, every glance, every thought, and every word can be infused with love.
Thich Nhat Hanh

Never Give up, No Matter What!

What is the one thing that defines success? What separates the winners in life from the “not so fortunate”? I’m sure there are multiple ways of answering these questions. But if I were to sum it up in one word I would say DRIVE!

We all have goals and dreams. We all want to achieve those goals and realize those dreams, but many of us never do. We start down the path to success only to be distracted by obstacles. Sometimes, those obstacles appear larger than life and we give up and say things like, “it wasn’t meant to be”, or ask questions like, “why does this always happen to me, why can’t I catch a break?”

The truth is, no one has ever failed who hasn’t given up. How bad do you want to achieve that goal? How motivated are you? Because I promise you, if you keep your eye on the prize and keep moving forward NO MATTER WHAT, you will get there!

Thought for the Day

Never give up; for even rivers someday wash dams away.
Arthur Golden

The Power of Laughter

Many people who know me would say that I joke a lot or I am not a very serious person. I guess they are right. I do laugh as often as possible, even in moments that others would find inappropriate like in a business meeting or public venues. Laughter is an expression of love and happiness. I feel good so I laugh.

More people should laugh and take things less serious. It not only lowers your blood pressure, but it’s fun and can create spontaneous happiness. It can also be contagious in which case, your laugh could go on to help someone; heal someone! Think about it…

 
Thought for the Day

All you need in the world is love and laughter. That's all anybody needs; to have love in one hand and laughter in the other.

August Wilson

Quick Thought for the Day

There are only 3 things that can make your dreams come true. They are your thoughts, your words, and your actions...think about it.

Anger

Anger is much like worrying, it serves no purpose. Yet it can be difficult to overcome. We have all worried just as we have all become angry. But can you recall the last time your worry or anger has been beneficial?

Thought for the day- There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.
Plato

Finish Strong

I went on youtube and typed in inspirational videos and I came across this

Watch "Best Motivational video ever" on YouTube

Accepting Happiness

I have seen many people have everything going for themselves only to self sabotage. Many of us are afraid of success. We may not realize it but we are.

Maybe we don't feel deserving or are afraid of change. Whatever the case, we cause ourselves much suffering.

In our most natural state we are divine. We are in harmony with everything that is. It is our thinking and perceptions that interfere with the connection to this natural state.

Thought for the day- Happiness is a continuation of happenings which are not resisted.
Deepak Chopra

Positive Perspectives

I haven't blogged in a while. I went through a rough patch there for awhile as we all do at one time or another. We get busy with work, school, kids, life and we can easily forget to take care of ourselves. I am in a really good place right now and am overwhelmed with feelings of gratitude.

What I've come to realize is that beauty is always around us. It constantly surrounds us. It's never the situation but rather our perceptions that determine the outcomes. A positive perception will always carry us further than having negative expectations. I find we generally receive what we expect to.

Thought for the day- When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at will begin to change.
Unknown

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)