Tag Archives: travel

State of Grace

There are several definitions of grace, an obvious one being elegance or refinement in the physical state, particularly in movement. The woman in the picture (for me) personifies a certain physical grace. Her eyes are closed, seemingly in meditation, and I can easily imagine she might also fit another definition of grace. That is, “courteous goodwill.”

Courteous goodwill. This state of grace seems to be sadly falling by the wayside, as various factions in society bicker, squabble, and attack each other. It’s fine to have another point of view, but sometimes the behavior reminds me of children when they don’t get their way. There is also quite a lot of outright bullying going on, shaming and coercing others psychologically. Where is the grace in that?

Those who bully others to get their way are not service to others, even though they may use narrative to paint themselves as such. They are service to self. They simply want the world to be “their way”, because they believe they have all the answers. Well, in a world of 8 billion people, how can that be true? There are many viewpoints on this planet.

A state of grace comes from a place of allowance, that others might have another way of being. It also is rooted in a true caring about other people. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, grace flows from love. Achieving a state of grace in one’s self moves us to a real place of service to others.

Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Create, not Hate

We cannot always choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we react to them. We are witnessing an anger being expressed perhaps unprecedented globally. As the events external to us unfold, we are coming face-to-face with the shadow aspect of ourselves as individuals.

It is natural to have negative reactions to that which affects us and we do not agree with it. But, when we choose to hang on to those negative emotions, fanning the flame as it were, then we are doing harm not only to the external world, but also to ourselves. No one can “make us” feel anything. We are the autonomous ruler of our own thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

In any circumstance, if we choose to hate, then we must own the hate. It is never anyone else’s fault when we express our shadow or dark side. It is solely our own responsibility. This is a theme I see being played out in so many ways right now. Some people seem to be unable to take personal responsibility for themselves and their own actions.

Let’s choose Creation, not destruction. I fervently hope that we do not have to see ongoing, excessive hatred expressed and tearing the world to shreds, before people wake up and realize that humanity is walking a road with a forked tongue. The two forks in the road will become increasingly divergent, if we let it go that way.

Let’s work together so that the serpent does not win.

Inspirational Quotes:

“Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in the world, but has not solved one yet.” ~ Maya Angelou

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“I have decided to stick to love…Hate is too great a burden to bear.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

“All your life, you will be faced with a choice. You can choose love or hate…I choose love.” ~ Johnny Cash

“Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live!” ~ Bob Marley

Show Me the Magic

“Where is the magic?” This is a question I often asked myself while tramping along the same dirt road in Australia to get my daily exercise. I was feeling very lost, not geographically, but rather, internally. I was on a spirit quest.

There is magic, but one must be observant and intentional. The next step for me was, “Show me the magic.” When I passionately asked and intended to find the answer, it finally came. Surprise, surprise, the answer did not come by way of my cell phone or the internet. Nature showed me the way…

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Shakespeare’s Dictum

Straight from the pen of William Shakespeare some 400 years ago… Shakespeare might advise the same in these times.

What do you think?

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Adventure Call

Do you remember the last time you did anything that felt at least a little adventurous? I know, we are living through a time that is making us forget.

We must not forget. Our amazing souls did not come here to have one foot nailed to the ground and simply endure misery. Life is a challenge, yes. But it is also meant to feel joyful and feed our souls.

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