compassion

Thinking Out Loud: It’s Time To Delve Deep into Our Hearts

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Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection from William Faulkner’s Banquet Speech at the Nobel Banquet, December 10, 1950

“He must learn them again. He must teach himself that the basest of all things is to be afraid; and, teaching himself that, forget it forever, leaving no room in his workshop for anything but the old verities and truths of the heart, the old universal truths lacking which any story is ephemeral and doomed – love and honor and pity and pride and compassion and sacrifice. Until he does so, he labors under a curse. He writes not of love but of lust, of defeats in which nobody loses anything of value, of victories without hope and, worst of all, without pity or compassion. His griefs grieve on no universal bones, leaving no scars. He writes not of the heart but of the glands.” ~ William Faulkner

Note: William Faulkner won the Nobel prize for literature in 1949. In his speech, he is speaking to both young writers and to us some 70 plus years in advance. Faulkner challenges us to look into our hearts and rediscover the eternal truths residing there. He asks us to remember things like love, honor, pity, pride, compassion, and sacrifice. In a word, he asks us to rekindle our humanity. In rekindling our humanity, we can reflect on our relationships with ourself and with each other. Perhaps, it’s time to look into each of our hearts. And ask ourselves the following questions: Am I capable of compassion? Am I capable of loving unconditionally? Am I capable of providing hope and inspiration to others?

Speak for Honesty, Truth, and Compassion

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So, never be afraid. Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion, against injustice and lying and greed. . . . as individuals, men and women, you will change the earth.

William Faulkner

Today’s Inspiring Photo: Be a Light in the Darkness

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Thinking Out Loud ~ We Each Have a Part to Play

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Creating Meaning in Our Lives

Saint-Exupéry writes in The Little Prince of the Little Prince visiting another planet, this planet was the smallest of all the planets with a lamppost and lamplighter. The Little Prince said:

“Perhaps this man is foolish. However, he is less foolish than the king, than the vainglorious, than the businessman, and then the drinker. At least his work has meaning. When he lights his lamp, it is as if he gave birth to one more star, or to a flower. When he blows out his lamp off, it puts the flower, a star to sleep. It is a very beautiful occupation. It truly is useful since it is beautiful. . . . He is the only one that does not seem ridiculous to me. It is, perhaps, because he takes care of things other than himself.”

NOTE: Forgetting about ourselves and caring more about others creates meaning in our lives. It seems so simple that connecting with others is the pathway to living a full, happy, and meaningful life. We don’t live in silos, we live in communities and communities are made-up of people who are meant to help each other and build the community so it will prosper and thrive. We each have a part to play no matter how big or small in building our community.

Feel Good Tip of the Day ~ Practice Self Compassion

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I read an article in Huff Post titled, “The One Thing Therapists Say Harms Your Happiness Most.” It is a wonderful article describing how we often sabotage our own happiness. The authors give this advice:

“Shame, guilt and worry are the most common disruptors of happiness, just in what I see in working with people,” said Tamika Lewis, the clinical director and founder of WOC Therapy in California. When you’re experiencing one of these feelings, you’re holding yourself hostage to past life experiences or worrying about the future, she said. “So we’re not in the present moment, and that really disrupts … that contentment and joy.” Practicing self-compassion is one way to combat these feelings, Lewis noted. She said it’s also important to have grace for yourself and practice mindfulness so you stay in the present moment.

Additionally, Lewis said she talks a lot about the Hawaiian practice of ho’oponopono with her clients. “It’s four phrases, simply saying, ‘I’m sorry, please forgive me, thank you, I love you,’” she explained. Lewis encourages folks to close their eyes and recite this mantra four times.“They really hit all these areas; the guilt, the shame, all of that. And then the love as a reminder of self-love, and sometimes it could help too to even do this in the mirror as you’re looking at yourself,” Lewis explained.

Poem of the Day ~ Courage

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Courage

Sri Chinmoy

To speak ill of the world
Needs courage,  
But fortunately or unfortunately
Everybody has that courage.  
To love the world  
As one’s own,  
Very own,  
Needs courage.  
Unfortunately, most of us are wanting
In that courage.
The courage of the heart,
The courage of the soul
We badly need,  
And not the courage  
Of the unruly,  
Aggressive,  
Impure,  
Demanding vital.

 

Source

Inspiring Quote for Today ~ Do You Have a Story?

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“Everything is held together with stories. That is all that is holding us together, stories and compassion.”

Barry Lopez

Feel Good Tip of the Day ~ Let it Slide

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When I was a young guy in the army, I did something I shouldn’t have done. A sergeant caught me. He could have got me into trouble, instead, he chewed me out (did he ever). I was grateful he let it slide. I never made the mistake again. I learned a valuable lesson, We all need a break now and then. Extending a merciful hand often pays much greater dividends than a slap. 

Inspiring Quote of the Day ~ Compassion Begins By Looking Inside

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“The more you know yourself, the more patience you have for what you see in others.”

Erik Erikson

Power Thought of the Day ~ Choose Your Friends Wisely

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“I learned long ago, never to wrestle with a pig. You get dirty, and besides, the pig likes it.”

George Bernard Shaw
NOTE: No matter how right we may be, there are those who refuse to recognize anything other than their own thoughts. Better to leave them alone and to hang out with people who are filled with hope, optimism, and overflow with compassion and kindness. 

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