Although most of us tend to think about adrenaline-laced adventures when we think about being fearless, I have found that this is a little bit misleading. Most of us could be coaxed to climb mountains, hike across ravines, or other challenging tasks with a bit of guidance and assurance that the proper equipment and emergency care would be available. For most of us, fear is a much more insidious opponent, one that keeps us in unhealthy relationships by threatening us with loneliness, or in unfulfilling jobs by threatening us with insecurity, or from realizing our full potential by threatening us with rejection. I genuinely feel that more people are afraid to simply speak their minds than afraid to hike Half Dome. Most of us are not lying awake at night because we lack the courage to para-sail, but because we lack the courage to change, love, leave, age, let go, or accept. We don't struggle because we lack the courage to swim with sharks, but because we lack the courage to be ourselves. Affirmation
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It seems to me that most periods of deep divisiveness within our country stem from competing ideas about ethics, morality and values. From our own deeply personal and internalized "rules" and expectations of behavior stem our worldviews. Perhaps no cognitive feat announces the arrival of true adulthood more than the stunning realization that the deeply ingrained ideas that we have about what renders an action right or wrong is not shared by the rest of the world, and perhaps not even by most of the rest of the world. To recognize the variance in humanity about what constitutes decent and appropriate or moral conduct is to truly appreciate the diversity of the human experience. Those things condoned as criminal by some societies are celebrated by others, and vice versa. Further, even among communities that generally share our views of ethics, difficulties arise constantly and in every facet of society: healthcare, business, law, politics, and even personal relationships. How should we live? Affirmation Today, I celebrate the inner compass that guides my actions for my highest good and that of humanity. I celebrate my ability to choose virtues that celebrate the best traits of humanity, while diminishing those that would do harm to myself or others. I celebrate my ability to recognize in all others the basic struggles inherent to the human condition, such as greed, jealousy, insecurity, anger, resentment, lust and irrational self interest. I forgive not only myself but all of humanity for its damaging traits, realizing that what we all experience personally also manifests globally in the form of struggle, war, displacement, destruction and harm. I vow to act in ways that promote love over hate, prosperity for all over prosperity for only few, freedom over confinement, respect for all living things over respect for only humans, education or ignorance, literacy over illiteracy, and true and authentic sight over voluntary blindness. I will strive to recognize the impact of my decisions on not only my immediate surroundings, but on my community, state, nation and world. I release myself from any idea that others must "lose" for me to "win," and instead turn my heart toward the discovery or development of mutually acceptable solutions. I release myself from the idea that others are inferior or less deserving of prosperity, happiness and peace than I because of their life circumstances, spiritual beliefs or ethical codes. Where my ethical beliefs clash with those of others, I ask of the Universe that the most authentic and loving belief emerge as the most valid.
Whether we like it or not, there come times when we all must buckle down and simply complete what requires completion, whether that is studying for an important exam, committing to the next round of radiation, or running the next five miles. At times like that, we can meet the limits of our inspiration or willpower. Things that are exciting at the beginning are often less so later on. Constraints on our behavior that seem manageable at first can seem challenging as time goes on. Thankfully, we don't have to rely only on our limited wells of inspiration or willpower. Instead, we can turn to discipline, a trait that can be honed and whose supply of endurance is nearly endless. Affirmation I recognize that my ability to reach my goals or accomplish important tasks is almost unlimited when I thoughtfully and consistently apply my efforts. Through this consistent action, I can wear through difficulties like water wears through stone. I release my need to take a sledgehammer to life, recognizing that life may only be asking that I continually, regularly, and mindfully show up with only a rock pick. I believe that discipline is something that I can hone over time with practice. I believe that I can show up again tomorrow. I believe that my small efforts are like tiny droplets of rain which will someday grow into a force profound enough to burst through whatever physical, emotional, financial or spiritual dam has built up in front of me.
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AuthorI was inspired to create this page in memory of a dear friend I lost to suicide. She inspired me all of the time with her writing, which she shared with the world as one of the earliest recognizable "bloggers." I'm saving this page for thirty-one days of little pick me ups, in the hope that they might help someone else somewhere lift themselves up when they are feeling low. Archives
December 2018
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