Two Sides of Me

"At the center of your being, you have the answer;

you know who you are and you know what you want."

Lao Tzu

One part of me expands with the rhythm of life, bathing in sunshine and dreaming in starlight, while the other part of me attempts to hide in the shadows, minimizing my presence in the greater scheme of things. 

Whiplash occurs as I bounce back and forth between these two dynamics.  Being lost in nothingness stunts awareness and micromanaging disallows the flow of the Universe. Emotionally and physically, the cost of not being aligned takes a toll.  

These opposing parts can gently be brought together.  In the morning,  I ask myself 'what is the most important thing I wish to attract today?'    In the evening, I ask 'what was significant about this day?'  These two questions tend to increase meaning in my life and appreciation for what is already present.

 

Reconcile Within and the World Shifts

"I have just three things to teach:

simplicity, patience, compassion.

These are your greatest treasures.

Compassionate towards yourself,

you reconcile all beings in the world.

Lao Tzu

We are our own greatest enemy. Our judgments of what we do or forget to do are far greater than  what anyone else would say.  The constant criticism of who we are and who we think we should be chokes possibility to change.  People surrounding us appear to be unapproachable and disconnected.

We look at other people and perhaps wish we had his or her life, not realizing that they as well harbor judgment and criticism of themselves.  Our attention is wasted gazing at what we want to have. Our energy would be best used looking inside to find our own diamonds in the rough.

The amazing thing is that when we begin to treat our own selves with compassion, the entire world around us begins to shift as well.   We see other people as being much kinder and helpful with a deeper connection to all there is.  There is so much to be gained if we but reconcile with our lovely selves.

Multitude of Positive Aspects

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength,

while loving someone deeply gives you courage."

Lao Tzu

As we are loved by someone, we gain strength and confidence.  As we deeply love someone, we develop courage and endurance.  Unfortunately, we are not always the recipient of love nor do we necessarily have one to love as our own.  Fear may be the catalyst moving us forward in spite of this love less condition.

There are dark times in life when we are propelled by the determination to never go back.  We are rigid with our forward movement.  Inside of our complicated minds, we emotionally/mentally run with our feet briskly slapping the pavement.  We are racing on the inside, and paralyzed by the chaos/isolation on the outside.

When we can stand it no longer, our tears wash away the dark and we begin to hope once again.  Except this time, we initiate a love for our inner spirit.  Acceptance gently guides us to adjust our focus into seeing the multitude of positive aspects of our being.  This recognition of our inner self moves us to understanding the strength and courage we have had all along.