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Inner compass
“Pay close attention to your inner compass. If you stop steering by your own compass, you’ll hit a rumble strip. Don’t panic. Just question your assumptions and you’ll be back on the road in no time.” ~Martha Beck We humans are creatures of habit. We often follow the traditional routes mapped out by others — and find safety and comfort in doing so. Likewise, as kids, we’re taught to respect “authority” in all its guises, including our parents, school teachers, pastors, priests, and police officers. We assumed they were always right, always acting on our behalf — and we were reprimanded for doubting or disobeying them. I like to think…
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Get out of jail free
“Why do you stay in prison, when the door is so wide open?” ~Rumi, Sufi poet Sometimes we create our own obstacles. We might cling to old myths and family roles, or make assumptions that aren’t based on responsible research or fact. We might box ourselves into categories — while doing the same to others. As the Sufi poet Rumi reminds us, we have the power to move past the limits we’ve created or imagined. We can challenge the rules that no longer apply to us. We can escape the prisons of our own making. How often do you trick yourself into thinking you don’t have the ability to achieve…
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When silence speaks volumes
“To say nothing is saying something. You must denounce things you are against, or one might believe that you support things you really do not.” ~Germany Kent As today’s quote suggests, silence can be misinterpreted. This got me thinking about a variety of complicated situations — including politics. (Don’t worry: I’m staying bipartisan here.) Recently, some friends and I agreed that when people refuse to discuss politics, we often assume that their beliefs and opinions don’t align with ours. Or maybe they don’t know us well enough to share their truth. Otherwise, they’d speak up, right? We could be wrong, of course. But speaking from experience, I’ve learned that others…
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Kindred spirits
“If it is true for you, it is true for someone else, and you are no longer alone.” ~Colson Whitehead If you enjoy watching sports, one of the thrills of cheering for a team is the sense of community you create with your fellow fans. For me, reading books, magazines, and newspaper articles is another way to feel connected to humanity. Whenever a piece of writing lifts my heart or gets me thinking, I believe the author and I are kindred spirits — and I feel validated. Likewise, being in touch with so many readers is the greatest reward I’ve received from writing my own newspaper columns and blog posts.…
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All your loves
“I am all the things I have ever loved.” ~Toni Morrison Each of us is a living collage of our passions, interests, and affections. The books we read, the films we favor, the clothing we choose, the art we make, the hobbies we enjoy, and the people we love — all of these tell the story of who we are. Take a moment to remember all the people and things you’ve ever loved, and how they’ve made you who you are today. ~CL
