Quotes

Certain quotes can honestly sustain me though hard times. They sometimes become a mantra for me to get through something. They can inspire me to get up and DO something about the world I live in to change it for the better. From time to time, I will post quotes that I feel inspired by.
Today I came across one that rings true to me.

"As I grow to understand life less and less, I learn to love it more and more."
~Jules Renard.

How do I reflect on this? I've experienced the feeling of knowing less and less as I age. I love to learn. I don't worry so much about the little things as much as I used to, and in letting that go, I've found myself. This has allowed me to appreciate the world around me more, and also to love with an open heart.

"Be the change you want to see in the world"
and
"Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it."
~Mahatma Gandhi

These statements inspire me to do the things I hold myself back from doing because I feel it wouldn't make a difference. I can think on these things and find that I know in my heart that if I do nothing, I am only contributing to the deterioration of the planet. We've all got it in us to make some sort of difference, to help and support one another, to inspire each other to make changes, and to be better people. I have deep admiration for Mahatma Gandhi.

Seven Swardsmen at the Door

I was very inspired by this story. I'm posting it because it's a good reminder of what we are all capable of by channeling our energy for good instead of being paralyzed by fear.
~Jamie

"Reverend Njoya of Kenya is a pro-democracy advocate in a dictatorial run government.
The Government was very unhappy with Reverend Njoya's teachings and preachings, and so they sent seven armed assailants to assassinate him during the night. The Swards-men sliced off his fingers and slashed open his belly, and the Reverend Njoya chuckled the whole time. As he lay on the floor, certain he was dying, he began to give his treasures away to his attackers: to one, his favorite bible; to another, his library, and so on.
How could this be? How could anyone not respond with sheer terror and life-preserving aggression to such brutality?!
So, the Reverend Njoya was asked this. "How were you not overcome by fear?"
Before answering, Reverend Njoya paused for only a moment while sitting in his cushioned arm chair. His face remained calm ans sweet as he responded, "Fear is an energy that comes from inside us, not outside. It's neutral. So we can channel it into fear, paranoia, or euphoria, whetever we choose." The Reverend crouched on the floor. "When a lion sees prey or predator, it senses fear first. But instead of lunging blindly in defense or in attack, it recoils." The Reverend moved back, leaning on his left leg and crouching lower. "The lion pauses a moment, targets his energies. then he springs.
"We can do the same. We can harness our would-be fears, harmonize our energies, and channel them into courage." His whole body, his whole life, seemed to tell us, "Yes, this is possible." Reverend Njoya's response - that of generosity in the face of brutality - so moved his assailants that it was they who rushed him to the hospital, where doctors saved him. His ability to rechannel the energy of his fear saved his life. "

~Jeffery Perkins, You have the Power: Choosing Courage in a Culture of Fear (New York: Penguin Group, 2004) 22-25.

Woah, new blog...

Ah, a fresh blog space. What on earth should I use this for?! Podcast stuff? Rants and raves? News feeds? Research?! Ah, the list goes on and on.