JULY

FEAR

Don't let yourself be paralyzed by fear, which prevents
so many people from living out their dreams.

Mark Fisher



Fear kills more people than death.

General George Patton



The only thing that stands between a man and what
he wants from life is often merely the will to try
it and the faith to believe that it is possible.

Richard M. DeVos

Growth

Your lower nature will drive you toward
accomplishing things and attaining recognition in
the world. 

Your higher nature will direct you into and through
experiences that enlighten and nurture your being
by utilizing everything that you do or that happens
to you in the world as a means of learning and
growing.

- John Morton
(From: The Blessings Already Are)

Creativity

"What is the highest act a person can perform?"

"Sitting in meditation."

But the Master himself was rarely seen to sit in meditation. He was ceaselessly engaged in housework and fieldwork, in meeting people and writing books. He even took up the bookkeeping chores of the monastery.

"Why, then, do you spend all your time in work?"

"When one works, one need not cease to sit in meditation."

Anthony de Mello, SJ



MORSEL:
Whoever seeks God . . . has already found God.

Disappearance

To a disciple who strained after Enlightenment till he became physically weak the Master said, "A ray of light can be grasped -- but not with your hands. Enlightenment can be attained -- but not by your efforts."

The puzzled disciple said, "But did you not tell me to strive to become empty? That is what I am attempting to do."

"So now you are full of effort to be empty!" said the Master through his laughter.


Anthony de Mello, SJ



MORSEL:
Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.
-Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Surrender

"What is the highest act a person can perform?"

"Sitting in meditation."

"Wouldn't that lead to inaction?"

"It IS inaction.

"Is action, then, inferior?"

"Inaction gives life to actions. Without it they are dead."


Anthony de Mello, SJ

MORSEL:
Happiness held is the seed; Happiness shared is the flower.

The Truth About Failure

Failure doesn't mean you are a failure...
...it does mean you haven't succeeded yet.

Failure doesn't mean you have accomplished nothing...
...it does mean you have learned something.

Failure doesn't mean you have been a fool...
...it does mean you had a lot of faith.

Failure doesn't mean you have been disgraced...
...it does mean you were willing to try.

Failure doesn't mean you don't have it...
it does mean you have to do something in a different way

Failure doesn't mean you are inferior...
...it does mean you are not perfect.

Failure doesn't mean you've wasted your life...
...it does mean you've a reason to start afresh.

Failure doesn't mean you should give up...
...it does mean you should try harder.

Failure doesn't mean you'll never make it...
...it does mean it will take a little longer.


Failure doesn't mean God has abandoned you...
...it does mean God has a better idea!

NOTE: "Failure only counts when it's the last time you're going to try"

Pay Attention

Part of what is true is watching where you are
going, paying attention to the conditions, focusing
on what is important, and choosing to cooperate
with what is working while staying clear of what is
not working for you.  Be sure to catch the learning
and change of consciousness in this moment of
convergence.

- John Morton

Opportunity

"Too often the opportunity knocks, but by the time you push back the chain, push back the bolt, unhook the locks and shut off the burglar alarm, it's too late."

-- Rita Coolidge

Expectations

Too many times you expect people to do what you
think they are supposed to do. 

Then when they don't do it that way, you get upset. 
You've placed them on a pedestal.  You've said,
"You have to do it this way because I expect you
to."  That's not an enviable position to place anyone
in or to be placed in. 

When people try to put me on a pedestal, I get right
back off again because I just don't have time to keep
my shoes shined their way.  I'm too busy working. 
And when I'm working, I sometimes don't have
time to do what another person wants or expects.

- John-Roger
(From: The Way Out Book)

The Invitation

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
For your dreams, for the adventures of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are separating your moon.
I want to know if you have touched the center of your own sorrow.
If you have been opened by life's betrayals,
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
Without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy, mine or your own,
If you can dance with wildness
And let ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes
Without cautioning us to be careful, to be realistic,
Or to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling me is true.
I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself.
If you can bear the accusations of betrayal and to betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore trustworthy.
I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day
And if you can source your life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
And still stand on the edge of the lake
And shout to the silver of the moon, "YES!"

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have.
I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair,
Weary and bruised to the bone, And do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.
I want to know what sustains you from inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
And if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

 by Oriah Mountain Dreamer, Native American Elder

TAKING OUT THE TRASH

I just finished taking out the garbage and I must say that the
house smells so much nicer now. In the humid heat of Summer an overflowing trash can will soon begin to take on a life of its
own.  It is not a good life either.  It is rather one filled with
disgusting, noxious odors and rotting, decaying filth.  Happily, though, it is a simple matter to take the garbage out the door
and to the trash bin.

Sometimes our own lives can start to resemble a trash can. 
Sometimes we collect so much anger, resentment, and negativity that we start to stink as well.  The longer we hold on to these things the worst the smell gets too.  Our lives literally become garbage cans full of the rot and decay of anger, hate, fear, pain, and depression.  Looking at the garbage doesn't make it go away either.  Analyzing it and sorting through it doesn't make it any less disgusting.  In order to get rid of the garbage in your life you have to tie up the bag and toss it out.

It is as simple as it sounds too.  Just take those negative thoughts out of your mind and those negative feelings out of your heart.  Forgive yourself for your past mistakes and know that God forgives you too.  Forgive others as well and send them your love.  Begin to choose love and joy again in what you think, feel, and do.  Begin to share that love and joy with others and to help them in any way you can.
 Before long you will realize that the trash you have been
holding inside you is gone and all that is left is peace, joy,
happiness, love, and oneness with God.

Remember then to take out your trash often.  Remember to keep your life and your soul clean of the garbage that negativity brings. 
Life was meant to be a garden of love and joy not a dump.
                      
Joseph J. Mazzella

NEGATIVITY

Anger will never disappear so long as thoughts of resentment
are cherished in the mind. Anger will disappear just as soon
as thoughts of resentment are forgotten.

Buddha



Anger blows out the lamp of the mind.

Robert Ingersoll



Put love first. Entertain thoughts that give life.
And when a thought or resentment, or hurt, or fear
comes your way, have another thought that is more
powerful -- a thought that is love.

Mary Manin Morrissey

HOW TO ATTRACT FANTASTIC PEOPLE 

I remember asking my Dad, when I was 16, how I could become charming.
I must admit that my motives were hormonally inspired at the time, but what he said to me has effected my life and relationships ever since. He looked at me and said, " Son, you become charming by making another person feel better about themselves when they are in your company." What wisdom!

With my Dad's wisdom ringing in my ears I offer you a few suggestions on how to do just that- make someone feel better about themselves when in your company.

* Be alert for any chance to praise another.

* Be fun to be with.

* Be genuinely concerned about what's going on in the life of
  the other.

* Suspend your agenda in the interest of the other's.

* Encourage and affirm your friend at every opportunity.

* Listen twice as much as you talk.

* Give genuine compliments, frequently.

* Accept the person as they are and not as you want them to be.

* Ask questions and listen to their answers. There is a difference  between prying and being interested.

* Be enthusiastic.

* Be a friend without conditions.

There is nothing more flattering or rare than the undivided attention of another.

It is more important to be interested than interesting.

Mike Moore

PRAISE

Everyone has an invisible sign hanging from their neck
saying, "Make me feel important." Never forget this
message when working with people.

Mary Kay



Appreciative words are the most powerful force for
good on earth!

George W. Crane



When life seems just a dreary grind; and things seem
fated to annoy; say something nice to someone else and
watch the world light up with joy.

Unknown

True to Yourself

Talents are those things that are creative and have
Spirit in them. 

Your scheming and conniving come out of your
lower self, and they have negativity and the Kal
power in them.

Don't kid yourself.  Once you've lied to yourself,
you can lie to the rest of the world with great ease. 

But you won't be able to live with yourself because
you won't know who is lying to you, since if you lie
to yourself, you'll surely think others will, also.

- John-Roger
(From:  Forgiveness, The Key to the Kingdom)