Mindfulness Monday – Hatred

What Wendy points out in her quotes is so true: we live in a world where hatred, rather than compassion, seems the norm. We don’t have to let it be thus — we can as a society, as Nelson Mandela states, live the prison of hatred behind.
I order to forgive a person, I had to let go of my hatred for him. I needed to do both. For otherwise, I would remain his prisoner.
Thank you, Wendy, during these unsettled times, showing how hatred is a prison and is only appeased by non-hatred, compassion.

Picnic with Ants

“Hatred is never appeased by hatred in this world.
By non-hatred alone is hatred appeased.
this is a law eternal.”

~ Buddha

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom,
I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind,
I’d still be in prison.”

~ Nelson Mandela

*photo by W. Holcombe.    Love everyone always.  xo

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Mindfulness Monday – Patience

Patience. Lao Tzu’s “Do you have patience to wait until your mud settles, and the water is clear?” What a wonderful definition of patience!
Yes, I need to learn to “adopt the pace of nature” because “my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety.”
Thanks Wendy for choosing three quotes about patience.

Picnic with Ants

“Adopt the pace of nature;
her secret is patience.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When I run after ehat I think I want,
my days are a furnace of stress and anxiety;
if I sit in my own place of patience,
what I need flows to me,
and without pain.”

~ Rumi

“Do you have patience to wait until your mud settles,
and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving until the right action arrives by itself?

~ Lao Tzu (Toa Te Ching)

*photo by W. Holcombe, all rights reserved.  Please do not use without permission.

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Mindfulness Monday – words I needed to hear

As is often the case, the words Wendy needs to hear are the ones I need to as well. As to becoming the emotion, guilty as charged. An easy slip, at times, when the feeling be it sadness, anger, grief, jealousy, rage, self-negativity overwhelms. Witness, allow, release — an important 3 word mantra.
Despite everything, she still grows, and I am very proud of her.

Picnic with Ants

“Feel the feeling but don’t become the emotion.
Witness it.
Allow it.
Release it.”

~ Crystal Andrus

“You’re so hard on yourself.
Take a moment. Sit back.
Marvel at your life:
at the grief that softened you,
at the hearache that wisened you,
at the suffering that strengthened you.
Despite everything, you still grow.
Be proud of this.”

~ unknown

*image by w. holcombe.  all rights reserved.

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Mindfulness Monday – Self Love

Self-love, so essential, yet for me, so hard to achieve. I try; some times, I get as far as self-like, and a touch of self-forgetfulness. I am aware of needing self-love to move forward. I will keep trying.
Have you achieved self-love? Please talk to me about it and the process to achieve. Wise words chosen by a wise woman. Thanks Wendy for Mindfulness Monday posts.

Picnic with Ants

“The first thing is to love yourself.
You cannot progress by self doubt and self hatred.
You can only progress by self love.”

~ Dipa Ma

“You can search throughout the entire universe
for someone who is more deserving
of your love and affection than you are yourself,
and that person is not to be found anywhere.
You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe,
deserve your love and affection”

~Buddha

**another photo by my friend Kara.  All rights reserved.  Please do not use.

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Mindfulness Monday – Laughter

Laughter is so important — a laugh brings joy into your life. Laugh at yourself — it helps too. A hug and a laugh can turn a gloomy day into a sun-shiny one.
As always, wise words from a wise woman. Thanks Wendy.

Picnic with Ants

“Live simply.
Dream big.
Be grateful.
Give love.
Laugh lots.”

~Paulo Coelho

“When you realize how perfect everything is,
you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.”

~Buddha

“The body heals with play,
the mind heals with laughter
and the spirit heals with joy.”

~ unknown

*photo by my friend Kara.

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Mindfulness Monday – Toni Bernhard

Wendy has chosen quotes from Toni Bernhard — an incredible and wise woman. Wendy’s art work illustrates that mindfulness can be colourful and full of imagery.

Picnic with Ants

“Without the bitterest cold that penetrates to the very bone,
how can plum blossoms send forth their fragrance all over the universe?”

~ Toni Bernhard, How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers

“Behind every stressful thought is the desire for things to be other than they are.”

~ Toni Bernhard

*artwork by Wendy Holcombe.  Do not use without permission.

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