A Poets View

O Attic shape!  Fair attitude! with brede
Of marble men and maidens overwrought,
With forest branches and the trodden weed;
Thou, silent form, dost tease us out of thought
As doth eternity: Cold Pastoral!
When old age shall this generation waste,
Thou shalt remain, in midst of other woe
Than ours, a friend to man, to whom thou say’st,
“Beauty is truth, truth beauty,” - that is all
Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know.

From the poem Ode On A Grecian Urn

John Keats (1795-1821)

Truth and beauty go hand in hand as long as you realize that inner beauty far outweighs the attraction of outer beauty.  Beauty is found everywhere, especially within the boundless area of nature.  I took a jaunt to the rose garden in Golden Gate Park the other day to find the flower’s stems beginning to grow.  The flowers are not yet in bloom yet there was something oddly beautiful about the stems springing from the ground. Why? It is the truth within the roots that we know will produce a beautiful rose.  

Truth lies within us.  Our truths and beliefs are what make us beautiful human beings.  That truth in all of us is what shines through to the surface and displays our beauty.  Now granted, there are many outwardly beautiful people around us.  When you can combine that outward beauty with inner truth it is a rare and special combination.

Our truth defines who we are.  If our truths are free and loving then our outer beauty will reflect our inner selves.  

Here are a few suggestions:

1. What inspires and directs you?  When do you feel most satisfied?  These are questions you need to ask of yourself in order to find your own inner truth.

2. Do not listen to opinions of others in regards to your truths.  If you feel inspired by doing something, something which is a passion, never let anyone discourage your inspirations.  Do what your heart feels.

3.  Let go of judgments. Everyone has their own inner truths which is a product of their authentic self.  Just as with you, judgments damage the spirit.

4. Try and see beauty in everything and everyone. Respect the truth of others and as a result you will see their inner beauty.  Take a walk in nature with it’s natural truth and each plant, tree, flower and leaf will become beautiful.

Born in Portland Maine on February 27, 1807, Longfellow was and still is one of the best loved poets of all time.  Henry was an active boy, sometimes quick tempered but always sensitive, impressionable and creative.  He loved song and dance but did not enjoy excitement.  He began school at 3 and by the time he was 8 he studied halfway through Latin grammar.  His Father’s extensive library of Shakespeare, Milton, Pope and Dryden, just to name a few, lent to his early curiosity of poetry and writing.

At the early age of 13 he penned and had his first poem published by the Portland Gazette titled “The Battle of Lovell’s Pond.” The poem was highly criticized at that time for being unsymmetrical and and unoriginal.  However Longfellow was not discouraged.  By age 15 he passed the exams for Bowdoin College and studied with well known writers to include Hawthorne.  Although his Father wanted Henry to study law he spent a year at Cambridge college in study of general literature.

His extensive travel and study of foreign language lent to his receiving a professorship at Cambridge and Bowdoin.  Throughout his life he wrote poetry and shared his love of words and language within the genre.  He was a champion of the down trodden and those less fortunate.  He lived his passion and as a result we are left with an exceptional anthology of his works to be savored and shared by generations to come.

He is my favorite poet.  I’ve read all of his works and can testify that I enjoy all of his writings.  I do have a few favorites such as The Day Is Done, The Arrow And The Song, Woods In Winter  and Hymn To The Night.  He was passionate about his work and it shows through each and every collection.  I celebrate his birthday today and everyday as he, through his poetry, allows me to display my creativity and share my love for this craft.  Happy Birthday Henry.

Based on Longfellow’s poem Evangeline, Mexican actress Dolores Del Rio gives an outstanding and passionate performance in this DVD aptly titled Evangeline.  It is heartwarming, passionate and will tug on the heartstrings.  It provides a riveting and action packed sequel to one of the best loved poems ever written.

The video above is a photo and text montage of Longfellow’s poem The Rainy Day.  Enjoy!

I have always been a very visual person and as such I really enjoy photography.  I am not a professional photographer but I love taking photos.

I normally shoot nature scenes though I gravitate towards anything that is unique and speaks to me in some way.  I don’t use photoshop for two reasons.  First, I like my photos to look real.  The only aspect of my Ulead Photo Software I use is focus.  Second,  I have absolutely no idea how to use photoshop.  My Ulead software is fast and easy.

The above photo I took during a Dale Chihuly exhibition at the DeYoung Museum in San Francisco.  It was a spectacular show and I was able to snap some great shots of his artwork.  You can view more of my photos at my website Nature Scapes photo album.

I bought the Aiptek DV5900 camera as shown above about three years ago from the Home Shopping Network.  I paid a little more than the price listed through the Buy Now link above.  What I liked about the camera is that is has so many features.  It is a digital camera, video camera, mp3 player, audio recorder and webcam.  It’s an all in one compact camera that can fit right in your purse.  It comes with batteries however I suggest that you buy rechargeable batteries.  I use this camera daily and took it on my trip to Hong Kong where I snapped over two hundred pictures and about a dozen videos all with the same batteries I had charged right before I left.  The pictures came out fantastic and can be viewed on my Hong Kong website at My Hong Kong Adventure.

It comes with the Ulead software for digital editing and also comes with the USB and Audio/Video cables.  With the audio/video cables, I am able to connect the camera to my DVR and record video from the camera to DVD disks.  I can then play them back on my DVD player or computer.  I really love this little camera and it takes fantastic pictures.  I just recently used it to photograph an entire store worth of merchandise to build a website.  It has yet to fail me.  I also like the fact that I can listen to my song list right on the camera’s mp3 mode.  I have everything I need in one neat little package.

Photo courtesy of www.kidjam.us

Blessed who unconcernedly find
Hours, days and years slide soft away
In health of body, peace of mind,
Quiet by day.

Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
from the poem Solitude

This poem exemplifies humility.  It is also one of my all time favorite poems.  I read this and it takes me on a journey of simplicity.  Living in a city as I do I long for the times when I can escape into nature.   I find it a necessity to breathe in the fresh sea air and walk among the trees on a daily basis.

Some may call this poem the life of a hermit.  It is not that at all but rather a lesson in putting your ego aside and as a result freeing yourself from the binds of praise.  Needing the acceptance of others, needing the applauds and accolades, which we all seek at one time or another is merely our egos needing that boost.  We think we need all this attention in order to feel good about ourselves, yet we have to realize we choose how we feel.  If we are constantly in need of praise we will never be happy.  Being happy is being at peace within and that only comes from living your authentic life and enjoying what you do for the sheer pleasure of living your passion.

Here are a few suggestions

1. Take time out of your day to simply be silent.  Walk through nature or play some music or just meditate.  We all need this daily in order to become refreshed.

2. Being in touch with nature is being in touch with our roots.  It is necessary to enjoy the peace and serenity that nature brings to our lives.

3. Exercise. Whether it be yoga, pilates or simply taking a walk it is the key to rejuvenation.

4. Give for the sake of giving.  Do not ask for praise or thanks.  You will be surprised how good you feel knowing you have helped someone.  On giving I want to make one more point.  I have a friend who commutes to work daily which takes about one hour and a half each way.  Each week she will leave a little early to go to an elderly friends home and do her laundry for her before going to work.  This is exactly what I mean by giving.  She doesn’t do it for thanks or applause but rather for the sheer joy of helping her friend. This is unconditional giving.

Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery, And today? Today is a gift, That’s why we call it the present.

Babatunde Olantunji

This quote says it all. Yesterday is past therefore there is no use in living there, tomorrow is a mystery and may not arrive at all so the only thing left to do is live in the present.  We all seem to live hurried lives with deadlines at work, not enough time in the day to do all we have to do however that is only a perception.  If we are living in the moment and not thinking about that clock ticking we would have no worries.

Just think what it would be like living without clocks or watches.  We are constantly looking at our watch thinking we have to hurry to get everything done.  If we didn’t have any timepieces we would not be worrying about that fact.  We would be living in the present moment without the hassle and stress.

We also despise aging.  We get botoxed, we get face lifts, we color our hair etc… We do this to look younger and fool ourselves into thinking that we are younger.  We all do it.  Yet, we don’t realize that time has simply leased our bodies.  The soul or spirit does not know time.  Our egos summon time.

We need to reach within and see the beauty that we hold inside not worrying about the outside.  By doing so time is no longer of the essence but merely a past and future.  Living in the now is a gift in which time does not exist.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Slow down and ignore the clock.  Do things at your own pace and you’ll be amazed at the fact that you will actually get more done.

2. Don’t become obsessed with your outer beauty.  Your inner beauty will shine through as long as you can reach within and find that peace and love within your soul.

3. For practical purposes, don’t wear a watch.  Try it for just one day and go about your day as you would any other day.  Believe me you’ll notice the difference.

“To discover joy is to return to a state of oneness with the universe”

Peggy Jenkins

Just as in the photo above we are all different colors, shapes and sizes yet in the grand scheme of the universe we are all connected and therefore all one.  Our ego tells us we are separated by our religions, lifestyles etc…  As a result, when we listen to our ego and separate ourselves from others based on outside sources, that is when problems arise.  

When we see people of different ethnic backgrounds as different from us we are making judgments based on the fact that they either do no look like us or live a different set of values and morals.   Wars as we all know are started because of these differences.  Yet we are no different from anyone else.  We are all a vital part of one universe connected by that universe.  Only when we begin to fully understand this premise is when we can peacefully live and coexist within this world.

Here are a few suggestions:

1. Stop seeing yourself as different from everyone else.  We are all connected by this universe and although we may be geographically apart, we are all one.

2. To understand we must stop judging others.  When we judge others for whatever reason, we are separating ourselves from the universe.  Judgment equals hate and hate breeds more hate.

3. Do not label people.  Labels are for our food products and merchandise.  Labeling people is just another form of judgment.

glitter-graphics.com

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

Although we all need to see justice prevail when we are wronged in some way, mercy and forgiveness can be a difficult task yet it is what is needed to heal.  The first reaction to someone who has hurt us or angered us in some way is revenge.  Revenge is born of hurt and fear.  When we indulge in revenge we are choosing hate over love.  When we choose hate we are hurting ourselves just as much as we hurt others if not more.  There is a deep ripple effect.  People make mistakes - we all do.  Think about it for a minute.  Whenever you make a mistake how do you feel?  Do you beat yourself up inside for making the mistake?  Do others make you feel terrible for making the mistake?  If you feel bad and if you’ve answered yes to those questions, you need to learn how to have mercy for yourself and others.  I know it’s not easy to do but it is needed in order to be happy and love yourself and others.

Here are a few suggestions

1. There are always two sides to any situation.  When you seek justice seek with mercy.  Understanding is the key to mercy and forgiveness.

2. Stop judging yourself and others.  We all have faults and we need to learn to accept them.

3. Do not hold on to grudges.  Holding on to grudges means storing that anger inside which inevitably causes stress, pain and so many other illnesses.  Forgive if not for the person who hurt you, but for yourself.

4. Let go and let God.  When you feel as if you cannot have mercy or forgive someone, turn it over to God, let it go and open your heart.

Photo courtesy of images.jeffer.multiply.com

all the things that truly matter —
beauty, love, creativity, joy, inner peace —
arise from beyond the mind

Eckhart Tolle

The mind is our own personal kingdom.  It is not made of substance yet it controls our entire being.  This is why it is important to posses a quiet mind.  Our minds consist of past conditioning and thoughts which race as if they were in the Indy 500 using our mind as the raceway.  

Have you ever experienced insomnia because you had all these racing thoughts cluttering your mind and as a result could not fall asleep?  It’s a horrible feeling especially when you realize that all of these thoughts are not allowing you to have peace of mind which is necessary for a happy and content life.  

We also have to understand that we control our thoughts.  So, when having all of these racers speed around in your mind you have to remember that you can control these thoughts.  Just put the brakes on and quiet that speedway.  How?

Here are a few suggestions.

1. Practice mind control on yourself.  When you are having depressing or angry thoughts try and change your way of thinking.  Looking at a situation in a different light can change your thoughts from negative to positive.

2. Your mind is your kingdom.  If you were a king would you want someone or something invading your kingdom?  Of course not.  So, you have to look at your mind as a sacred place that belongs only to you.  Negative thoughts do not belong there.

3. Remember that no outside source can make you unhappy or depressed.  You have the choice.  You are the only person who can enter your mind and clear the clutter. 

Every now and then go away,
have a little relaxation,
for when you come back to your work
your judgement will be surer:

Leonardo DaVinci (1452-1519)

For most of us we would think of Leonardo Da Vinci as a workaholic.  With all of his paintings and sculptures it is difficult to think of him being away from his art.  However he does make a good point here.

We all need balance in our lives.  Working constantly does nothing but cause stress and heartache.  When we are able to step away from what we are doing we can then return to our project or work and see things clearly.

There are so many people who work over eight hours a day, five days a week and spend weekends on errands, chores etc…  They virtually have no down time.  No time to relax and just be.  By doing so, they are at risk for many conditions to include stroke, heart attack and worse.

There are so many ways to relieve the stress and find time for yourself.  One is listening to meditative music.  It soothes the soul, relaxes the mind and relieves the stress.  The CD below is a beautiful example of what music can bring to your life.

Other stress reducers are taking vacations or something as simple as taking walks.  As long as you find that time to walk away from work, just for a little while, you will be amazed at the mindset once you return.  It will do you and your work a world of good.

Here are a few suggestions

1. Try to detach yourself from the result of your work.  Don’t work for the outcome but rather the joy of working or finishing a project.

2. Walk away from your work and do nothing.  You’ll be surprised how refreshed the mind will be once you’ve walked away.

3. Go and relax.  We all need down time in order to be productive.  Try and relax at least 20 minutes per day.

The greater danger for most of us
is not that our aim is too high
and we miss it,
but that it is too low and we reach it.

Michelangelo (1475 - 1564)

We have all succumbed to the negative thoughts that we cannot do something or we settle for less and reach our goals.  We are all creative beings and as such can reach for the stars and create what we want.  If hope in our dreams is lost, we have nothing.  We have given in to the negative racing thoughts and become dormant.

Whether or not you believe in miracles as divine intervention or you just believe in things happening for a reason, the fact is if we have hope and believe that we can achieve our dreams, it will happen.

A good example is Barack Obama.  When you listen to him speak with his “Yes We Can” mantra you can see that he truly believes in what he is saying.  He has that hope and knows that we can achieve our goals as a nation.  It’s that belief in yourself that will take you to a higher ground.

Basically what Michelangelo is saying is never settle for less and reach for the stars.

Here are a few suggestions

1. Refuse to listen to pessimists.  They will do nothing but point out our limitations and if you believe in those limitations that is what you will create - limits.

2. Always think big.  As an inherent creative being we can create what we want.  We can reach high and grab what we want.

3. Keep hope alive.  If you dream it - it will come. 

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I saw grief drinking a cup of sorrow and called out, “It tastes
sweet, does it not?”  “You’ve caught me,” grief answered, “and
you’ve ruined my business, how can I sell sorrow when you know
it’s a blessing?”

Jalaluddin Rumi (1207 -1273)

I have to admit that after reading and re-reading this passage I still cannot grasp and believe this message.  Basically what Rumi says is that when we experience a loss which causes grief that it is an opportunity to move to a higher level.

I just cannot grasp this concept.  I and many others have experienced the loss of a loved one and I fail to see how that is an opportunity or way to reach a higher self.  I understand that other negative experiences can be an opening for a new journey in life but death?  I just don’t see it.  I’ve read the teachings over and over and it escapes me.

I’ve read Wayne Dyer and Deepak Chopra on this subject and they basically say that while you are experiencing that sorrowful moment that you should stop and ask yourself “Why am I suffering over something I will eventually see as a blessing?”  I’m sorry but I don’t and have never seen death as a blessing.

I want to be able to understand and fully grasp this concept but I’m either not open to it or for some unknown reason stopping myself from embracing the teaching.

I’m just wondering how any of you feel about this?  Can anyone explain how grief is a blessing?

Photo courtesy of www.tvcrazy.net

The Munsters was one of my all time favorite shows.  I found this video of Herman Munster reciting beatnik poetry on YouTube and I had to share it with you.  He’s hilarious.  Enjoy!!!

There’s something about death that is comforting.
The thought that you could die tomorrow frees you to appreciate your life now.

Angelina Jolie

First let me say that I never thought I’d be quoting Angelina Jolie for this series.  Normally I will quote writers and philosophers however her quote struck a chord with me.

It is true that we don’t know when we will die.  If you live your life thinking this could be your last day on earth you will inevitably live each day to the fullest without even thinking about the past or future.  That is the true essence of living in the now.

We live the illusion that our past has somehow created the person we are today.  We blame our past on difficulties we experience through our lives.  The past is merely the past.  It has taught us lessons and therefore we have grown as a result of these teachings.  However it is gone.  Dwelling on the past will prohibit moving forward.

The future is something we plan for and dream about yet it is not now.  Dreaming and planning for the future takes away from our living in the moment.  Living in the moment is the path to our inner self and enlightenment.

While writing this post the song “Let’s Live For Today” by the Grass Roots popped into my head and is exactly what the now is all about.  So, I found them performing this song on YouTube back in the day.  Listen closely to the lyrics.

Here are a few suggestions

1. Live for today.  Shed your past and don’t allow yourself to blame your past for your current conditions.  We choose and create who we are.  The past has nothing to do with our current situations.

2.  Do not blame the past or daydream of the future.  Living anywhere other than in the present moment is a recipe for negativity.

3. Do not allow yourself to shed tears over past mistakes.  Mistakes are great teachers and should therefore be embraced.

Individuals seeking enlightenment
must connect with their inner guidance
for by doing so
they become a catalyst for world change.

Michael Teal

We think of enlightenment as an illusive goal we must achieve in order to have a fulfilling life.  However it is not a goal or something we should chase.  It is within us.  It is not outside of us.  It is within our consciousness lying dormant waiting to be born.  Enlightenment is merely inner peace.

We go through our daily lives with ritualistic activities consisting of work, chores and play.  We process these activities in our minds as our daily life.  It is in this processing that we can achieve enlightenment by realizing that we are what we think.  It’s all about attitude.  If we wake up in the morning saying to ourselves that we would rather be staying home than going to work, then that negative attitude will imbue our entire day.  If on the other hand we awaken and tell ourselves I am going to be the best I can be at work today, then that positive attitude will follow.

Becoming enlightened is not sitting and meditating and contemplating life but rather seeing our lives and the world around us in a positive new light.   To be enlightened is to rid yourself of the negativity that invades your life on a daily basis.  Ignore the racing thoughts, the negative perceptions.  Once we are at peace we are enlightened.

Here are a few suggestions to be enlightened.

1. Become aware of the times you are not a peace.  Who do you blame for these circumstances and how often do you fall into this negative trap?  Once you’ve become aware of these unenlightened moments you can begin to turn them around and find peace.

2. Rid yourself of the idea that enlightenment is something you can achieve in the future.  Enlightenment is in you.  When you process and see the world in a positive light enlightenment is born again within you.

3. Inner peace is the key to enlightenment.  As a result try and avoid people and situations which cause you to be stressful, annoyed and not at peace with yourself.

A cell phone these days is a necessity if for emergencies alone.  A while back before I had a cell phone I thought it wasn’t necessary at all.  I had friends telling me you need to have one even if you just use it for emergencies.  I didn’t listen until I had an emergency and found myself without a phone.  I was coming home late from work one evening waiting for a bus when someone followed me.  No matter where I walked or moved to get away from him he would follow and stand right next to me.  Long story short I found my way to a restaurant where the owners scared him off and I was able to get home.  That experience scared me into buying a cell phone.

I didn’t want any monthly contracts or bills.  I just wanted something I could add minutes to when needed and use it for emergencies.  I did much research and found Tracfone.  What I liked about it was the simplicity.  I ordered the phone online and it came with detailed instructions and everything I needed to get started.  

I did not have to sign any contracts, I don’t have monthly bills and I just add minutes online when I need them.  You can also buy minute cards at some retailers though I like doing it online.

This particular phone is very sleek and stylish and has all the bells and whistles you need these days.  These phones are also great for teenagers, I bought my nephew one  because there aren’t any monthly bills.  They cannot rack up any charges.  You simply buy the minutes when you need them.

I wanted to share this with you today because I think cell phones are important especially for emergencies so if you don’t have one check this out.

There are so many beautiful poems and songs written in celebration of Valentine’s Day.  The 19th Century poets in my opinion had a monopoly on love poetry.  However one of my favorite love poems is The Passionate Shepherd to His Love by Christopher Marlowe.  It is simple, descriptive, an excellent style and you could basically just feel the deep sentiment in the poet’s heart while reading the lines.  It’s the type of poem where the imagination comes to light and you feel as if you are in that setting.   Sometimes simplicity is the essence of beauty and I think this poem proves that point.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
Christopher Marlowe

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove
That valleys, groves, hills, and fields,
Woods or steepy mountain yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks,
By shallow rivers to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers, and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of th purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs:
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherds’ swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning:
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.

Here is a video I wanted to share with you in keeping with my last post Divinity Within Us. 

Men are disturbed not by things
that happen,
but by the opinion of things
that happen.

Epictetus (55-135)

When we think of divinity we think of God, the Holy Spirit, heaven and so on.  We apply the word to this Religious connotation.  However divinity is inherent within all of us.   Our soul or spirit is the divine.  God is everywhere and therefore occupies our spirit.  We have control over every situation and the key is to realize that we are not separate from the divine but rather one energy with the divine.

I know it’s a difficult premise to grasp.  We just need to think of ourselves as divine energies - one with spirit.  We are all connected by this divine energy because we all possess the same energy.

As a result of this energy we are in control of our spirit.  For example, if someone is mean to us in some way by demeaning us, yelling at us or abusing us we have the choice of how to handle the situation.  We normally would be defensive, angry, hurt, disappointed and resentful however by being so, we are choosing these feelings.  We could easily choose to ignore that behavior or try to understand the source of which it came and just let it go.  The bottom line is we choose our feelings, opinions and every emotion connected to us.  When we realize that God or the divine is within us our lives as a whole will become tranquil, peaceful and serene.  We choose whether or not to be happy.  It is not chosen for us.

Wisdom of the Ages by Wayne Dyer is my bible.  I bought it a couple of years ago while going through some traumatic times.  It has taught me so many life lessons through poetry, essays and thought provoking articles by reading and experiencing the wisdom of writers past and present.  Whenever I am experiencing troubling times, this book has been my savior.  

Here are a few suggestions for reaching the divine within you.

1. Remind yourself that you are not alone but rather connected to spirit.  By realizing and understanding this fact you will begin to respect and love yourself as well as others.

2. Be grateful for all you have and all you love.  Gratitude is of the utmost importance.  Be grateful for everything in your life.  A good way to accomplish this is to write a gratitude journal.  Even if all you do is make a list of the things you are grateful for on a daily basis, it will help you see yourself and the world in a new light.

3.  Stop blaming your life and circumstances on outside sources.  Remember we choose our responses to situations.  If you choose to be negative, you can never move forward.

Photo: Yours Truly - jodapoet - back in the day

Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.

Bruyere, Jean de La

This quote captures the essence of children.  They do not know of the past nor do they think of the future.  They are living in the present, here and now.  They know nothing of ego, judgement or hatred.  They experience things with a sense of wonderment.  That inquisitive nature is boundless and true.  They feel and see with their hearts.  Have you ever seen a child chasing birds?  Their inquisitive and playful nature allows them to be free of any constraints.  Many times while working outdoor gigs I have seen very young children who will come by, listen to the music for a minute or so then inherently start bouncing up and down or running in circles, dancing away to the music. Granted there are adults who would do that but far less often than children.  This facts tells me that our inner child is inherent.  We just need to be that child more often.

As adults we lose that sense of wonderment and playfulness.  Granted there are times when we play and enjoy ourselves, however these times feel as split seconds within the realm of time.  We play then it’s back to the old grind.  It does not have to be that way.  We need to learn to apply that sense of wonder and play to our daily lives.  

Here are a few suggestions.

1. Spend as much time as you can observing children.  You can go to a playground and just watch their actions and behavior.  Try and be more playful, inquisitive and loving in nature.

2. When you find yourself acting serious and somber stop and take a look inside.  Your inner being or self is where you find your inner child.  Reach in and bring your inner child to light. Only then can you really be happy.

3. Although it is inevitable that our bodies age, our authentic self stays young.  All we have to do is use are senses as a child would and experience the world in a new level of consciousness.

The Six Mistakes We Make.

1. Personal gain means crushing others.

2. We worry about things we cannot change or correct.

3. We think something is impossible because we cannot accomplish it.

4. Refusing to set aside trivial preferences.

5. Not reading or stimulating the mind.

6. Dictating that others should live as we do.

Let’s look at each one of these separately.

Personal gain comes from helping others and allowing them to triumph and realize their dreams.

Worrying about things we cannot change means becoming stagnant and not being able to move forward.  It causes undue stress and aggravation.  Learn to accept.

When we do not have confidence in ourself or others we fear we cannot accomplish something.  To build confidence in ourselves we need to love ourselves first and foremost.

It is inevitable in this life that we will have disagreements with others.  If we do not learn to compromise and put our trivial differences aside we can never triumph over our negative thoughts.

It is imperative that we learn to stimulate our minds.  There are many different ways to accomplish this however reading is the most practical and enjoyable.  Reading stimulates the mind and senses.

Never, ever, dictate to others how they should live or what they should be doing with their lives.  Why, because in the grand scheme of things, it causes wars as we are greatly aware.  In the smaller scheme of things ask yourself, would you like someone dictating your life?  Live and let live.

Triumph comes from living with a positive attitude and allowing others to shine.