I am glad daylong for the gift of song,
For time and change and sorrow;
For the sunset wings and the world-end things
Which hang on the edge of to-morrow.
I am glad for my heart whose gates apart
Are the entrance-place of wonders,
Where dreams come in from the rush and din
Like sheep from the rains and thunders.
Source
James Allen in his book, “Every thought-seed sown or allowed to fall into the mind, and to take root there, produces its own, blossoming sooner or later into act, and bearing its own fruitage of opportunity and circumstance. Good thoughts bear good fruit, bad thoughts bad fruit. The outer world of circumstance shapes itself to the inner world of thought, and both pleasant and unpleasant external conditions are factors, which make for the ultimate good of the individual. As the reaper of his own harvest, man learns both by suffering and bliss.” P. 17
As a Man Thinketh is available online at gutenberg.org under the Harvard Classics.
NOTE: Has someone ever said something to you that struck a raw nerve? It’s happened to me many times. I can recall those times where I let that one comment dictate how I felt for the entire day. I neglected all the good that surrounded me. I neglected all the treasures and benefits in front of me waiting for me to pick them up. I now know that I can replace my negative thoughts with more positive thoughts. I now know that i do not have to let another’s negative comments affect the rest of my day. It’s not the person’s fault who made the comment. It’s my fault for letting my thoughts grab hold of it. We are the masters of our fate.
Folks who enjoy finding fault and criticizing other are seldom happy. Check out the angry talking heads on the political cable news channels. I think most forgot how to smile. The happier folks are those who don’t let anger dominate their lives. They recognize their own imperfections, avoid condemning others, and seek to discover peaceful and constructive ways to interact with all who pass through their life. I\
Who hasn’t felt stressed? I don’t see any hands. It happens. What if there were a simple technique we could use to quickly lower our stress level? I’d like that. Yesterday, a potential answer showed up on my YouTube selections. In the video, Professor Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist, provides a quick way to lower our stress level. Anyone can do it. Here’s the video.
Thoreau writes in “Walking,” “ I am alarmed when it happens that I have walked a mile into the woods bodily, without getting there in spirit. In my afternoon walk I would fain forget all my morning occupations and my obligations to society. But it sometimes happens that I cannot easily shake off the village. The thought of some work will run in my head and I am not where my body is—I am out of my senses.” P. 740
Walking is available online and gutenberg.org under the Harvard Classics.
NOTE: I can relate to what Thoreau is saying here. If I am beset with an issue, I can carry it with me and ruminate on it throughout an entire workout at the gym. I can carry it with me when i go to church and wonder when the church service is over what the sermon was all about. And, it’s happened to me when I go for a walk. If we can become aware of our issues or problems and set them aside on a metaphoric table before we commence going on with something else we will feel much better. Pope Francis referred to this as being awake. Am I awake to what I am feeling, thinking, and doing? If I am, it changes everything. I can make a decision that is more physically, emotionally, and spiritually healthy for me. Here’s hoping you can set aside your problems and challenges on your metaphoric table.
The faint shadow of the morning moon?
Nay, the snow falling on the earth.
The mist of blossoming flowers?
Nay, poetry smiling up the sky.
