Eyes closed Content Is eyes open Freedom Joy independent Of scenery Is fulfillment In every step
I help busy people do inner work.
Eyes closed Content Is eyes open Freedom Joy independent Of scenery Is fulfillment In every step
The First Noble Truth: life is suffering.
The reality of life that we have to accept is that there will always be suffering present in some way/ shape/ form.
The Second Noble Truth: we can identify the causes of our suffering.
When your heart is broken or you’re diagnosed with a disease or illness, identifying the source of your suffering is relatively straightforward.
When we’re children, however, we tend to bury or distract ourselves from the pain because we don’t know how to properly manage it. And this behavior often carries over into adulthood.
It isn’t always obvious from where our pain originates. But, with patience, grace and care—we can identify our pain’s root causes.
The Third Noble Truth: we can put an end to our suffering and healing is possible.
Healing is possible.
The key is to mindfully sort through what’s outside of our control (what happened in our past) and to act on what’s within our control (our choices today).
The Fourth Noble Truth: there are paths to free us from suffering.
These paths are different for each of us. But, many of them contain the following:
And just like healing is possible, so is perpetual suffering.
If we don’t accept the second noble truth, we won’t reach the third. And without the third, we won’t reach the fourth.
Take your journey towards healing at your own pace—but, keep moving forward on the path. Think tortoise—not hare.
And transform your suffering into a new, better reality—one deliberate, brave choice at a time.
We all wear masks.
…It isn’t a bad strategy.
It’s when we don’t take our masks off that the strategy turns bad.
We need to give our “face” space to breathe.
My question for you is: are you giving your face enough space to breathe?
Fate is what results when life decides for you.
Legacy is what results when you decide your life.
What people say:
What I hear:
Don’t let upset people upset you.
Don’t let angry people anger you.
Don’t let frustrated people frustrate you.
Let your mind become a relentless filter that protects the purity of your thoughts from the unforgiving (oftentimes misunderstood) feelings of the world.
How to do this?
By understanding that:
Upset people are feeling upset for a reason.
Angry people would much rather not be angry.
Frustrated people have been trying their hardest and to no avail.
Once we stop taking things personally and understand that everybody is probably just doing the best they can, with what they have (and have been given), where they are—we can approach these interactions with compassion and curiosity instead.
And, if it becomes obvious that they are not interested in changing their state or getting any help from you—you move on.
No harm; no foul.
Their state is a reflection of them—your state is a reflection of you.
No need to get them twisted.
Acquire a sense of inner peace and you’ll save thousands of others.
When people are in times of conflict, even more important sometimes than words of advice or helpful actions is simply a peaceful presence.
A solid boulder that can slow the raging river. A brick house that can protect against the ravaging storm. A clear mind that can cut through the invasive fog.
See, a person who has acquired a sense of inner peace brings peace with them everywhere they go. Their impact is made constantly without any specific efforts on their part.
…And so it is for the person who carries conflict with them everywhere they go.
If we care about the impact we have on others, what we have to remember is the lesson that Maya Angelou so wisely shared: “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Which means: what people feel from our presence is where the real impact is made.
Focus less on always having to say or do exactly the right thing. A lot of times, the stress and anxiety produced by this desire becomes counterproductive to the very message we’re working so hard to get right.
Focus on being instead.
Being intentional. Being compassionate. Being mindful. Being grateful. Being calm.
Being at peace.
Our impact outward will ripple in proportion to the impact we’ve made on ourselves inward.