Extending the circle

Kenetha Stanton Quotes , ,

Extending the circle

“Extend the circle of ‘us’ to include as much of the world as you possibly can.” ~Rick Hanson

Violence, hatred, cruelty, and conflict are fueled by the illusion that there is a “them” separate from “us.” The only cure is embracing the radical truth that there is no “them.” There is only “us.”

In this election season of focusing on our differences even more than usual, the practice of extending our circle of “us” (even to those we disagree with) is a challenging and much-needed practice of peace.

 

Image adapted from one shared by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay

Knowing who I am

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Knowing who I am

“Wisdom is knowing I am nothing, love is knowing I am everything, and between the two my life flows.” ~Nisargadatta Maharaj

Sometimes knowing who we are and what our place is in the grand scheme of things means being able to balance ourselves gently in the paradox of two great truths that appear to be in conflict.

How do you stay balanced inside this paradox? Do you have a tendency to find yourself leaning out of the paradox in one direction over the other?

 

Image adapted from one shared by RÜŞTÜ BOZKUŞ from Pixabay

Befriending trouble

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Make trouble your friend

“Trouble creates a capacity to handle it…meet it as a friend, for you’ll see a lot of it and had better be on speaking terms with it.” ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

What would it mean for you to meet trouble as a friend—as something that will expand your capacity to problem solve and deal with challenges—instead of as an enemy there to defeat you?

Can you feel how much that changes things?

 

Image adapted from one shared by Wokandapix from Pixabay

Just to be is a blessing

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Just to be is a blessing

“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” ~Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

It’s so easy to spend our days doing and accomplishing and rushing from one task to the next in this busy world we living thinking that makes a full life, but there is holiness and so much blessing in stopping the busyness and just BEING.

Find a few moments in your day today to just BE.

 

Image adapted from one shared by Helena Cuerva from Pixabay

Which thoughts do you choose?

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“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” ~William James

How often I forget that I have the ability to choose my thoughts and to pick ones that are healthier for my mind and soul!

How often do you remember to invoke your ability to choose your thoughts? Which thoughts are you choosing now?

 

Image adapted from an image shared by No-longer-here from Pixabay