heathervescent

On Enlightenment

“Enlightenment is not something you seek, it’s something you must simply remember.” - Erin Pavlina

Over and over and over. :)

DECIDERATA

DECIDERATA~ Max Ehrmann - 1952

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive God to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

On Being Better

“No matter how good you are, you’ll never be better than yourself.” – Mr Brian D via Bob Dylan

On Gen X

"I'm a Gen-Xer, I'm jaded about everything."
- the quotable heathervescent

On Mastery, Practice, Training

"At the heart of it, mastery is practice. Mastery is staying on the path"
 - George Leonard

My sometimes Sensai hit the nail on the head there. Here's another saying I like:

"When in times of high intensity, people don't rise to the occasion, they fall back to training."
I think that's from the Military.

To be

“What one can be, one MUST be.”
- Abraham Maslow

On Politics

"Political activism is seductive because it seems to offer the possibility that one can improve society, make things better, without going through the personal ordeal of rearranging one's perceptions and transforming one's self."
-Tom Robbins (via Rob Brezsny)

Happiness?

"And you may be reminded that whoever calls themself happy is completely in error… Just as those who say they are unhappy are quite mistaken too.”
- Paulo Lins (Author of CITY OF GOD)

From JS's site.

A Thought

"I am a blank canvas, and my life is the painting."
- the quotable heathervescent

On Desperation

"Desperation is the raw material of drastic change / dramatic acts. Only those who can leave behind everything they have ever believed in can hope to escape."
- William Burroughs