Reflections
Recently, I’ve been within situations that have been difficult to maneuver individually, so I’ve looked outward for insights from my community. A smattering of good ideas were shared with me and I’d like to share thirty-five or forty of them here, so they can be appreciated as a group of focused thoughts by both you and me from time on from now.
They are slightly abridged in a sense that I have abbreviated people’s names, adjusted the format from the original Facebook platform, and some of the few that offered images are present both typed and in image form. They are included chronologically, as they were added by friends. I am grateful for all these additions.
Mantras for life, profound quotations, and wise advice for maintaining during rough days are invited.
I enjoy Zen Buddhist and stoic philosophical reading/discussions. There are a bunch on YouTube and audible.
– Aumelina D.
(Within a nice piece found per her recommendation that I found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMC_8BjG3Cc there was a fine quote from Huineng that I felt was worth bringing around again for you: “A finger points at the moon, but the moon is not at the tip of the finger. Words point at the truth, but the truth is not in words.”)
My go-to mantras:
Every day in every way, I am getting better and better.
Everything is always working out for me.
– Christin G.
When times are rough, one of my tricks is to create a 4-beat mantra. E.g., I’ll be okay. And I repeat while pressing thumb to pointer finger, then middle, ring, little. 4 beats, 4 fingers. And repeat. I make up the mantras depending on situation, and keep it for varying lengths of time. Feel free to call me to chat!!! Here for you Jim!! <3
– Ann McC.
I find comfort in asking myself what is the worst thing that can happen, answering that and then reminding myself that that is something I can handle. It’ll suck, but I will make it through.
When things are really bad and “one day at a time” seems too much I tell myself “one moment at a time” just get through this moment (whatever moment I’m in).
Hang in there, this too will pass <3 <3
– Elizabeth F.
I use them often enough, I put them on a note in my phone.
No matter what
Be here now
My life is mine
This too shall pass
Comparison kills
The next right thing
Context
Ebbs and flows
This will go well
Comparison is the thief of joy
“Res severa verum gaudium” Tru joy is a serious matter ~ Seneca
– Larisa A.
Always remember that you are where you are in your life because of decisions you have made. Don’t like your station in life? Make better decisions.
– Phil T.
Remind yourself that it’s a transition and it will have an end.
– Qathi H.
Invictus is my go-to:
Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
Ho charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
William Ernest Henley.
– Per Cathy M.
“If the moon doesn’t hit your face,
if the sun doesn’t shine on your window,
don’t look for the fault at the
sun or the moon
remove the curtains of your eyes.”
– Rumi per moi
Me too…
– Rhiannon H.
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain. – Dune
I modified it for my use:
I will not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. I will face my fear. I will let it pass over me and through me. And when it has gone, only I will remain.
Because at the point I need mantras, that’s a lot to remember.
– Ben H.
Don’t take things personally.
– Chris T.
I got through the most complex and frankly FU time in my life by striking this deal with myself: one hard thing a day. That hard thing might be as small as one phone call, one email, opening one letter, or writing one check. Just one thing, every day.
Sometimes I could do more than one thing and that was great, but the assignment was, one thing. After the one thing was done, I was free to do whatever I wanted: go back to bed, eat cake, read, watch Netflix, it didn’t matter as long as it wasn’t a hard thing. In about four months, that collection of hard things that broke me when I considered them in their totality, were all done and behind me.
– Melissa H.
~I do this, and it works. – Barak L.
Be like the Hummingbird: YouTube link to Wangari Maathai’s I will be a hummingbird.
– Steven A.
You are your ancestors’ victory!
– Elizabeth V.
This one always makes me feel better: Link to Ween’s “Kim Smoltz”
– Sid P.
“You were a dragon long before
he came around and said
you could fly
You will remain a dragon
long after he’s left”
~ Rupi Kaur
– “Julo” K.
“There is almost a sensual longing for communion with others who have a large vision. The immense fulfillment of the friendship between those engaged in furthering the evolution of consciousness has a quality impossible to describe.” Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
– Diana F.
“Malta” by Marc Rebillet,
– Dani K.
Time in Thyme
In a place far too clean.
We blew some shite up
and took down the KWEEN –
When I make art, I make money. No money no horny honey –
Are you HERE or There? –
Storms in my
My mynd and
Sadness in my <3
Add to Kart,
Proceed to checkout –
“They would’ve kept lying if you didn’t find out. Remember that.” Boca Recovery Center. –
It’s not what you know
Or who you know
It’s how you show up. – Safety DM
When I experience conflict that has no good result, I feel poins that don’t heal as quickly as I wish they would But healing is the focus and persistence is a strength I have, so Soldier on, I must.
All projects expected can expect slight delays. No explanation will be on this platform.
You salves, the music, the words, the reflections, images and insights, are all appreciated.
Stay strong friends, you inspire me.
Thank you.
Keep it going.~
– Moi
~~Daily, as bread or water, my mantra encompasses love and gratitude. But the outpouring of recognition and memories for my 73rd birthday has eclipsed that quotidian observance to warrant these special thanks: I am deeply honored and grateful for your thoughts and wishes. <3 ^
– Craig G.
This always has at least one line that comes to soothe my spirit when needed. Hopefully you will find goodness in it. Https://www.desiderata.com/desiderata.html
– Krista G.
The Way Out is In….
– Davee C.
This may sound a bit elitist, but it truly is not meant to be. At the times in my life when I felt everything was falling apart and I didn’t feel I could cope of fid my way out, I would say to myself, “I don’t live in a war zone, I have a roof over my head and food on the table, I have people you love and care about me. This is nothing in comparison to what some people have to deal with on a daily basis. I can do this.”
– Alix S.
For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction. – Cynthia Occelli.
– Lara F.
Thanks for coming to my space of reflection.
If you wish to have a few hours with a great priest from Shaolin Monastery, the link here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABZ7hwwtgN0 will take you there. Be well.