Journey ~

I’d remind myself of some of the lessons I have learned on this journey:

1.  Honor yourself first and above all. You are no good to anyone if you are no good to yourself.
2. You are the reason why you are not happy with your life. Period. Your life is based on a series of your own choices, no one else’s. You are not a victim; you are an empowered creator.
3. The definition of insanity is “doing the same thing, over and over and expecting a different outcome.” If you want your life to be different, make different choices.
4.  If you want to attract “better things” into your life, work on becoming a better person. You attract what you are.
5.  There is a delicate balance to the Universe. It always provides everything you need. Note that “need” and “want” are two very different things.
6.  Be kind, but don’t be a pushover. If it doesn’t feel true for you, chances are, it’s not. Then refer to lesson #1.
7. Your body is your vessel and a gift; it doesn’t deserve your abuse. There is a fine line between indulging a desire, and depending on it.
8. Forgive, forgive, forgive, but don’t forget. Start with yourself first.
9. Choose friends who share your enthusiasm for life and appreciate your strengths and weaknesses.Which brings me to one of my most important lessons…
10. Our strength lies in our vulnerability and our willingness to keep our hearts open in spite of all the painful blows that life throws at us. By allowing your heart to remain open you will not only learn faster and heal faster, but all those delicate and beautiful parts of yourself will begin to flourish.
    

Loneliness

“Loneliness is the human condition. Cultivate it. The way it tunnels into you allows your soul room to grow. Never expect to outgrow loneliness. Never hope to find people who will understand you, someone to fill that space. An intelligent, sensitive person is the exception, the very great exception. If you expect to find people who will understand you, you will grow murderous with disappointment. The best you’ll ever do is to understand yourself, know what it is that you want, and not let the cattle stand in your way.” ~ Janet Fitch

Devote Yourself ~

“If you devote yourself to God, then He in turn will continually stay with you, as an eternal candle flame stays with a wick, feeding off the overflow of wax; yet reshaping into something better.” ―

Evidence ~

“...eventually tides will be the only calendar you believe in…
And someone’s face, whom you love, will be as a star
Both intimate and ultimate,
And you will be heart-shaken and respectful.

And you will hear the air itself, like a beloved, whisper
Oh let me, for a while longer, enter the two
Beautiful bodies of your lungs...

Look, and look again.
This world is not just a little thrill for your eyes.

It’s more than bones.
It’s more than the delicate wrist with its personal pulse.
It’s more than the beating of a single heart.
It’s praising.
It’s giving until the giving feels like receiving.
You have a life- just imagine that!
You have this day, and maybe another, and maybe
Still another…

And I have become the child of the clouds, and of hope.
I have become the friend of the enemy, whoever that is.
I have become older and, cherishing what I have learned,
I have become younger.

And what do I risk to tell you this, which is all I know?
Love yourself. Then forget it. Then, love the world. ”
― Mary Oliver, Evidence: Poems

Acceptance ~

Allow yourself to just be at this time, a moment by moment acceptance of all that is taking place, a gentle willingness to just let what will be to be and surrender yourself. Let the feelings of peace and calm take over your mind and your heart and take a respite from the push me, pull you energy that has been dominant and allow yourself to float along the river of life and trust that this time of respite will take you exactly where you wanted to go to all along • Sharon Taphorn

Real Self

"How do you feel about yourself, do you find your life meaningful, fulfilled and rich? Or perhaps you are feeling unfulfilled, disappointed or resentful about your current life or circumstances? These uncomfortable feelings can be interpreted as your soul’s longing, a message from your spirit and higher self that can ultimately propel you forward onto a path to discovering your real self."-Leigh Probst (Maciej Grochala)

The Path ~

"Live now, enjoy Life now! Love now, for this now is the precious moment that is creating our lives. Each now is unique -- it won’t come back in time. In it we leave a footprint, and within that impression are the actions we leave behind. Each step we take, we leave a mark. The path is created by the steps a person takes while walking it." — Jacqueline Ripstein