Not Choosing ...

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading."

Lao Tzu

Change is not always invited and unfortunately challenges us to face decayed thinking, prior to experiencing a sense of adventure. It does not have regard for our personal timetable and imposes its own cadence. Developing an attitude of trusting the path that is unfolding, we gain a gentle increase in confidence.

The change that occurs is often not of our choosing, creating a sense of loss and overwhelming vulnerability.  When we choose to stay the course, growth unfolds. Decluttered, we are reminded of what is important to us and new ways of using our energy to develop a new way of existing.

As we learn to set a balanced pace, we begin to notice opportunities and how they can be incorporated into our lives. With calm and creativity, change stirs growth preparing forward movement into a better existence. If we do not like the life we are living, go within and reconnect with inner guidance and new perspectives.

 

Minimizing Fear

"Mastering oneself makes you fearless."

Lao Tzu

Seeking mastery over one other is a false investment. Simple respect and understanding aught to be rendered to others, as one wishes this for himself or herself. Rather than seeking outside acceptance, deep dives within to discover personal strength and spiritual guidance is priceless and heightens the quality of life.

When we discover and enhance our skills, navigation forward has full force. There are no distractions from outside forces. Yes, we must be aware of our surroundings, both mental and physical, but not diverted by them. We can greet others along the way, but respect can be given to them without investing.

Disruption inevitably will come our way, but with awareness of our inner strengths, we know we will find our path forward. Cultivating constant rapport with our heart's desire, we will be less likely to lose our way. When we are fully aware of our intentions and master our skills to meet them, fear becomes minimized. 

 

Power Ignites

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  "If you are depressed you are living in the past,
  if you are anxious you are living in the future,
  if you are at peace, you are living in the present."
  Lao Tzu
  
  
  When I recognize that I have choice, a slip of power ignites.  If I can determine the difference between acting out old childish patterns or creating healthier scenarios, the power grows.
  
  
  There is little I can do about the pain I feel, but do I want to feed it with drama or strike upon something new?  The pain is still present, but it is modified.
  
  
  In this moment,  I can draw upon peace while minimizing both the past and the future.  Peace arrives abounding with love and compassion, cloaked in safety and protection.  Everything within is rekindled, confirming my power to face life from a healthier choice..
  
  
  
  

Mantra for Equilibrium

"I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience and compassion."

Lao Tzu

Th realms of spirituality are often lofty, other worldly, or cloaked in mystical language.  However, there are times we need a quick mantra to be used throughout our busy days.  Lao Tzu suggests the basic one of 'simplicity, patience and compassion".

Whether we are in a board room meeting, jammed traffic or long grocery line, we keep our equilibrium by repeating the three words of this mantra. It is easier to maintain a continuous flow when in all things we can be simple, patient, and kind.  

In place of racing to judgment or anger, we can calm our emotions and reactions by slowing down.  Back up a few steps for a less intense view.   Mentally extend patience for the person in front of you ... the slowest creature on this earth.  Instead of anger, we can extend kind thoughts to the driver who seemingly caused the wreck.  Reframe highly detailed plans with simple reframe which will produce the same result.  Remember, we always have choice!

 

Observe and Release

 

"How can you follow the course of your life

if you do not let it flow?"

Lao - Tzu

As a child, when distraught, I would stand at the back door window yearning to find answers.  As I grew older, I sought advice from experienced authors, but often the wisdom found was out of my reach.  In adulthood, I attempted to find a sense of self through my child rearing, career, and the gathering of women.

Exhausting resources outside of my lovely self,  the only place remaining was the inward journey.  Life became symbolized as water ... flowing, current, dams, and distributions.  As I am easily acclimated to water, this symbolism assisted me in learning to stop trying to control.  When I succeeded, I let go and was carried to realms unknown.

Flowing with the tide, it was easier to let go of distorted reality and to be cleansed.  From the middle of the water, I could see the shoreline without becoming too emotionally attached.  Personal lessons did pull me to shore, but I managed to observe and release, consistently get back in the flow.

Slow Paced Days

"I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion."

Lao-Tzu

During this time of COVID, our boundaries continue to shift.  We are more aware of excursions outside of our homes and the distance we maintain between others.  In one sense, our surroundings have simplified our opportunities for giving.

There tends to be a slower pace and when we find ourselves growing impatient, we can give smiles with our eyes or we can make gestures for one other to move in front of us.  We can quietly assist a person who is struggling in reaching, stepping or walking.  So simple and it costs nothing.

These opportunities will help us feel better as we remain isolated.  It seems more appropriate to spontaneously send a quick e-mail or message just to touch base.  The effort to reach  out can be so simplistic, and yet compassionate.  We will spontaneously brighten these slow paced days.