Namaste A Way of Life Part 2

[Anna]

Let's continue the Namaste A Way of Life thread here and thanks Annie for all your inspiration:

You can find Part 1 here:

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ml#post1102128

[indigo]

Namasté

I am continuing the thread with one of the many meanings of Namasté....a way of life, my thread is non-denominational.


An ancient Sanskrit Blessing meaning:-

"I honour the place
within you
where the entire
Universe resides.

I honour the place
within you
of Love, Light,
Truth and Peace.

I honour the place
within you,
where when you are
in that place in you
and I am in that place
in me; there is only
One of us."

"I honour the Divine within you"

[indigo]

As you can see I have already thanked myself in advance for the thread.....it was an accident LOL.

[indigo]

"I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things:-
a rainy day,
lost luggage,
and
tangled Christmas tree lights."

Maya Angelou

[indigo]

Oscar Wilde

A cynic is a man who knows
the price of everything
and the value of nothing.

[indigo]

Traditional Buddhist Blessing and Healing Chant

Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart's wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.

By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.

For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion, of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.

[indigo]

Kindness
Aesop wrote, "No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted." Every benevolent action blesses all humanity and returns to us.
Kind actions grow from kind thoughts and attitudes. When we see others as our equals and wish them well, it is easy to be kind. When we take responsibility for our own happiness, we can afford to be kind toward others.
Performing acts of kindness in our daily lives does not require money, power, or any special skills. It only requires "empathy" - the recognition of our humanity and the desire to make things a little easier for someone else. Thoughtfulness, helpfulness, compassion, understanding, and gentleness are the hallmarks of human kindness.
"I spread kindness in the world, and it returns to me, magnified."

[indigo]

Detachment
We will always be surrounded by other people and their problems. If we attach ourselves to them, we lose ourselves in the quicksand of co dependency. But we can learn to live in this world without sinking into that trap.
We can be kind and caring, and yet keep a healthy distance between ourselves and others. We can listen to others when they need to tell their story, but we don't have to have answers for them. We can let others make their own choices and live with the consequences without trying to save them.
We can do all this by staying focused on our own inner voice, our Higher Power, our spiritual path. We can avoid the quicksand by walking on the high ground of detachment.
"I let go of other people and their problems, with respect for my own inner guide and theirs."

[jimhere]

It being that time of year when everyone is talking of gratitude and holiday cheer, or in some circles of the difficulties they have with the season, this came to me:

Did you know the word holiday is rooted in the term "holy day"? When I practice the Presence of God (or practice these principles as a way of life), every day is a holiday. Because where I am God is.

[indigo]

I Have Learned
I've learned...
That if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
That even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
That silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
That life sometimes gives you a second chance.
That you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
That whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.
That there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
That every day you should reach out and touch someone.
That you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to you.
That no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.
That it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
That it's not what you have learned in your life but who you have in your life that counts.
That you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
That you shouldn't compare yourself to the best others can do but to the best you can do.
That it's not what happens to people that's important. It's what they do about it.
That you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
That no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.
That it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
That it's a lot easier to react then it is to think.
That you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
That you can keep going long after you think you can.
That we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
That learning to forgive takes practice.
That there are people who love you dearly, but just do not know how to show it.
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you are down will be the ones to help you get back up.
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you have celebrated.
That no matter how good a friend is, they are going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that.
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
Andy Rooney

[indigo]

We often feel miserable and our world seems upside-down because we believe that external things will work out exactly as we plan and expect them to.
–Lama Zopa Rinpoche

[indigo]

Day By Day
There is only one way life can be lived; day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute. Outside of science fiction, there is no way to travel backward or skip forward in time.
This arrangement is a very good one. Today is plenty for us to handle. If we concentrate on the decisions and responsibilities of this day, we can cope with whatever comes our way. But if our minds are full of regret over the past and worry about the future, we are too overwhelmed to deal with the present.
We all think about the future, making plans and looking forward to events. But when we waste time and energy in useless worrying, we miss all the opportunities today offers. The best way to create wonderful tomorrows is to live fully, one day at a time.
"Day by day, I move forward along the pathway of my life."

[indigo]

I f I had words they would become actions, and if I had words they would become ..................

[indigo]

For the WINGS....................oh!

[indigo]

I am hoping my PC does not send off today's message before I have finished it, LOL maybe my thread didn't want the verse so I 'll change today's.

Count Your Blessings
Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Love your neighbor as much as yourself.
Author Unknown

[indigo]

Responsible Speech
Before we speak, do we think about the effects our words might have on others? Gossip, rudeness, lying, and breaking confidences can easily slip into our daily speech. We may use words that trigger negative reactions in others. And when they are offended, we may think they are being unreasonable - we didn't mean any harm.
But regardless of our intentions, our words can harm, and we need to use them responsibly. In speech, we are responsible for respecting other people's feelings, integrity, and privacy. We are responsible for our own honesty and truthfulness.
Becoming sensitive to the power of our words doesn't mean we can never disagree with others or stand up for ourselves. It means taking the same responsibility for our speech as we do for all our other actions.
"I am responsible for using speech positively."

[indigo]

Toltec Wisdom

The Four Agreements
Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the Four Agreements offer a powerful code of conduct that can rapidly transform our lives and our work into a new experience of effectiveness, balance and self supporting behavior.

Everything we do is based on agreements we have made. In these agreements we tell ourselves who we are, what everyone else is, how to act, what is possible and what is impossible. What we have agreed to believe creates what we experience. When these agreements come from fear obstacles develop keeping us from realizing our greatest potential.


BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.


DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.


ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

Reprinted with Permission: " The Four Agreements"
By don Miguel Ruiz

[indigo]

Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a gift we can give another, but it is also one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. In releasing others, we too are released from our anger, blame, fear, and self-righteousness.
It may seem difficult to let go of judging, condemning, and retaliation until we realize that they only hurt ourselves. When we value peace, harmony, and happiness, we are ready to forgive.
Forgiveness doesn't require approval or affection, or ever seeing the person again. We just do it, inside our own minds and hearts. We just let go of our anger, fear, and judgments, wishing all good things for everyone. When we can do this, we will be free.
"I forgive everyone in my life."
unknown

[indigo]

A Little Walk Around Yourself
When you're criticizing others
And are finding here and there
A fault or two to speak of
Or a weakness you can't bear.
When you're blaming someone's weakness
Or accusing some of self...
It's time that you went out
To walk around yourself.
There are lots of human failures
In the average of us all.
And lots of grave shortcomings.
In the short ones and the tall.
But when we think of evils
Men should lay upon the shelves,
It's time we all went out
To take a walk around ourselves.
We need so often in this life
This balancing of scales.
This seeing how much in us wins,
And how much in us fails.
But before you judge another
Just to lay him on the shelf...
It would be a splendid plan
To take a walk around yourself.
Author Unknown

[indigo]

Empty Pages
One evening a young woman went alone to walk barefoot by the ocean after the sun had set. She stopped in her path and turned so she could see the footsteps she had left in the sand. But they had already been washed away by the waves. When she turned to continue her walk, she was startled by the presence of an old woman wrapped in a blanket who, out of nowhere, appeared sitting by a fire, slowly paging through the leaves of a leather-covered book.
She walked up to the woman and asked, "Where did you come from? I didn't see you here a moment ago. And how did you start this fire so quickly?" Her questions went unanswered but there instead met with a reply in a serene voice. "Sit with me, child. I have something to show you."
As the young woman sat down beside the fire, the mysterious stranger handed her the book. She curiously turned the pages one by one and was amazed to discover they contained the story of her whole life from the early days of childhood to the present. She then came to the page telling of her encounter with the old woman by the fire during her walk on the beach, but upon turning to the next page, she found it empty. She frantically began to turn the rest of the pages in the book, only to find that they too were all empty. In bewilderment, she looked to the old woman and pleaded with her to explain.
"Does this mean my life ends this night?"
"No, my child. It means tonight your life begins."
At that moment the old woman took the book into her own hands and began to tear out each of the pages that had words, throwing them one by one into the fire until all that was left were blank pages. She handed the book of empty pages to the young woman.
"You see," she said, "just as the waves washed away your footsteps in the sand, your past is forever gone, never to return. The only moment you ever truly possess is here and now. Each moment is the beginning of the rest of your life and is to be lived to the fullest, for you will not have a chance to live that moment a second time. Most important of all, each new day brings and opportunity to love - one that may never come to you again."
"As for your future, you are free to shape it as you wish, for it has not yet been written."
Then, as mysteriously as she had appeared, the old woman stood to walk away and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Author Unknown

[indigo]

A Start
Each day, I promise myself not to try to solve all my life problems at once - nor shall I expect you to do so.
Starting each day, I shall try to learn something new about me and about you and about the world I live in, so that I may continue to experience all things as if they had been newly born.
Starting each day, I shall remember to communicate my joy as well as my despair, so that we can know each other better.
Starting each day, I shall remind myself to really listen to you and to try to hear your point of view and to discover the least-threatening way of giving you mine, remembering that we are both growing and changing in a hundred different ways.
Starting each day, I shall remind myself that I am a human being and not demand perfection of you until I am perfect, so you're safe.
Starting each day, I shall try to be more aware of the beautiful things in our world -- I will look at the flowers, I'll look at the birds, I'll look at the children, I'll feel the cool breezes, I'll eat good food -- and I'll share these things with you.
Starting each day, I shall remind myself to reach out and touch you, gently, with my words, my eyes and with my fingers, because I don't want to miss feeling you.
Starting each day, I shall dedicate myself again to the process of being a lover -- and then see what happens.
You know, I'm really convinced that if you were to define love, the only word big enough to engulf it all would be "Life" -- LOVE IS LIFE -- in all its aspects...And if you miss love, you miss life! Please don't!
Leo Buscaglia

[indigo]

It's not enough to have lived. We should be determined to live for something. May I suggest that it be creating joy for others, sharing what we have for the betterment of personkind, bringing hope to the lost and love to the lonely.
Leo Buscaglia

[indigo]

If You Cannot, Make Certain You Do Not
If you cannot help someone, make certain that you do not knowingly hurt them.
If you cannot lift another up, make certain that you do not knowingly knock him down.
If you cannot offer your hand in peace, make certain that you do not raise your sword instead.
If you cannot love another, make certain that you do not hate.
If you cannot fill another's hunger or quench his thirst, make certain you do not take what little bread or water he has left from him.
If you cannot help another to carry his burden, make certain you do not add more weight to his present load.
If you cannot give to another, make certain that you do not rob him of what he has.
If you cannot respect another, make certain that you do not take his dignity away from him.
If you cannot add joy and happiness to another's life, make certain that you do not knowingly create sorrow and unhappiness.
If you cannot set another free, make certain you do not imprison him.
If you cannot help another in his understanding, make certain that you do not add confusion.
If you cannot bring light to another, make certain you do not create darkness.
Author Unknown

[indigo]

Motivation
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20.00 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20.00 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well,"? He replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the floor and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, you have all learned a valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.00
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
You are special - don't ever forget it!
"Never let yesterday's disappointments overshadow tomorrow's dreams."
Author Unknown

[indigo]

The Spirit of Love
An old man stood on a Virginia riverbank many years ago. He was waiting to cross the river and, since it was bitterly cold and there were no bridges, he would have to "catch a ride" to the other side.
After a lengthy wait he spotted a group of horsemen approaching.
He let the first one pass, then the second, third, fourth and fifth. One rider remained. As he drew abreast, the old man looked him in the eye and said, "Sir, would you give me a ride across the river?"
The rider immediately replied, "Certainly."
Once across the river, the old man slid to the ground. "Sir," the rider said before leaving. "I could not help but notice that you permitted all the other men to pass without asking for a ride. Then, when I drew abreast, you immediately asked me to carry you across. I am curious as to why you didn't ask them and you did ask me."
The old man quietly responded. "I looked into their eyes and could see no love and knew in my own heart it would be useless to ask for a ride. But, when I looked into your eyes, I saw compassion, love and the willingness to help. I knew you would be glad to give me a ride across the river."
The rider was touched. "I'm grateful for what you are saying," he said. "I appreciate it very much."
With that, Thomas Jefferson turned and rode off to the White House.