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(501-600).< /p>
501.
Finding
Your
Pinn acle
Mountain
Meditation
Throughout
history,
humank ind
has
stood
in
awe
of
mountains.
The
strength
< p>and
sturdiness
evident
in< /p>
the
rocky
crags
and
smooth
slopes
of
peaks
aro und
the
globe
have
fro
m
time
immemorial
inspired
creativity
and
kindled
courage.
Mountains
have
been
v
enerated
by
many
cultures,
which
worshipped
great
summits< /p>
as
gods
and
sacred
b eings.
In
their
looming
< p>presence,humanity
has
seen
power,
steadfastness,
and
re solve.
Yet
you
needn’t
live
near
a
mountain
to p>
tap
into
this
vast
en ergy
of
commanding
grandeur.
Conversely,
since
mountains
are
as
unique
in
form p>
as
human
beings,
your
locale
may
exist
under
< p>theunwavering
gaze
of
a
small
mountain
without
yo ur
knowing
it.
As
you
< p>practice
mountain
meditation,
the
power
that
lurks
i n
the
heart
of
all
m ountains
will
flow
into
while
their
essential
< p>beautyreminds
you
that
you,
too,
are
a
creature p>
of
the
earth.
If
there
are
mountains
in
you r
area,
plan
to
spend
< p>sometime
enjoying
the
p eaceful
embrace
of
Mother
Nature,
which
can
be
a
potent
meditation
aid.
Li kewise,
grasping
a
rock
stone
in
your
hand
will
enable
you
to
eas ily
tap
into
earth
energy.
If
you
are
prevented<
/p>
by
circumstance
from
visit ing
a
mountain,
however,
b egin
by
visualizing
yourself
at
the
base
of
a
towering
summit.
Holding
a p>
rock
can
be
helpful
t o
tune
into
mountain
e nergy.
You
may
find
yourse lf
picturing
a
steep
and p>
majestic
snowcapped
peak
or
a
lush,
tree-covered
mass
that
rises
gently
fro m
the
earth.
Sit
or
imagine
yourself
sitting
at< /p>
the
mountain’s
base
and
spend
a
few
minutes
si mply
coexisting
with
it.
W hen
you
feel
tranquil,
express
your
intention
to
commune
with
your
mountain
< p>andask
to
receive
i ts
energy.
Project
your
co nsciousness
onto
the
mountain’s< /p>
peak,
and
look
down
upon
the
flatlands
over
< p>whichit
stands
guard.
S end
light
to
the
flora
and
fauna
that
call
the
mountain
home.
You
ma y
discover
that
you
feel p>
wonderfully
immense
and
unshakable
as
you
delve
d eeper
into
the
meditation.
Finally,
ask
the
mountain p>
to
serve
as
a
guide p>
and
give
it
your
sinc erest
gratitude.
If
you
have
literally
visited
a
plateau
or
summit,
pass
t ime
with
the
mountain
by p>
camping,
hiking,
or
pic nicking
upon
it.
Or,
if
your
journey
has
been
a
spiritual
one,
use
your< /p>
imagination
to
survey
the
sights,
sounds,
and
sc ents
of
your
mountain.
As< /p>
your
explorations
progress,< /p>
you
will
become
ever
more
grounded,
growing
graduall y
into
your
personal
p ower.
When
you
are
finishe d
meditating
with
mountain
energy,
give
thanks
to
this
strong
and
powerful
energy
for
sharing
time
w ith
you.
502.
Owning
Y our
Tendencies
Understanding
All
Sides
Whenever
we
examine
our
lives,
we
exa mine
them
from
a
particula r
side
or
angle.
Most
< p>of
us
tend
to
favor< /p>
one
side
over
the
ot hers.
For
example,
we
may< /p>
tend
to
look
at
thin gs
from
an
emotional
p erspective
rather
than
a
f inancial
perspective,
or
we
< p>mayprefer
to
think
in
terms
of
details
rather
than
the
big
picture,
or
vice
versa.
To
a
certain
degree,
this
is
p>
not
a
problem,
and
th ese
tendencies
add
color
t o
our
individual
personalities.< /p>
However,
they
can
also
make
us
one-sided,
blind< /p>
to
the
many
other
wa ys
of
looking
at
our
situation.
Even
if
we
have
decided
that
we
are< /p>
most
happy
when
we
f ocus
on
one
particular
sid e
of
things,
it
is
always
worth
exploring
the
other
sides.
When
we
d o,
we
become
well
roun
ded,
more
understanding
of
other
viewpoints,
and
even
< p>moresolid
in
our
own. p>
Perhaps
you
are
a
person
who
tends
to
see p>
your
life
in
terms
of
your
spiritual
well-being.
< p>As
a
result,
other
c oncerns
such
as
financial
comfort
or
social
standing
may
not
be
prominent
in
your
mind
as
you
make
decisions.
However,
taking< /p>
just
a
moment
to
consider
those
angles
will
< p>helpyou
in
several
ways .
One,
it
will
enable
< p>youto
see
more
clea
rly
what
your
priorities
a re
and
how
they
influence< /p>
your
life
situation.
Two,< /p>
it
will
enhance
your p>
sense
of
confidence,
becaus e
you
will
see
your
situation
from
all
sides,
even
as
you
choose
one .
And
three,
it
will
help
you
communicate
with
others
about
who
you
are
and
what
you
are
doing,
because
you
will
c ome
from
a
place
of
understanding
that
your
own< /p>
biases
and
tendencies
are< /p>
unique
as
are
theirs.
< p>Most
of
us
instinctively p>
come
at
things
from
a
particular
angle,
and
in< /p>
many
cases
this
is
< br>the
right
way
for
us. p>
Still,
understanding
the
ot her
angles
only
strengthens
< p>us.When
we
look
at< /p>
our
lives
from
all
s ides,
we
shed
light
on
the
big
picture,
giving
ourselves
access
to
many
points
of
view
and
hig hlighting
more
clearly
the
one
we
have
chosen
to
take.
503.
Where
You
< p>NeedTo
Be
Timing
Ca n
Be
Everything
Since
human
timetables
quite
often
do
not
correspond
with
universal
timetables,
it’s
c
ommon
for
people
to
feel p>
that
life
is
progressing
too
slowly
or
too
quic kly.
We
draft
carefully
plans
only
to
f ind
that
they
fall
into
place
when
we
least
ex pect.
Or,
conversely,
we
are
thrust
into
roles
w e
believe
we
are
not
prepared
for
and
wonder
h ow
we
will
survive
the
demands
imposed
upon
us p>
by
unfamiliar
circumstances.
< p>Whendelays
in
our
p rogress
kindle
pangs
of
di sappointment
within
us
or
the
pace
of
life
seems
overwhelming,
peace
can
b e
found
in
the
simple
< p>factthat
we
are
exactly
where
we
need
to
at
this
moment.
E
very
person
fulfills
their
purpose
when
the
time
is< /p>
right.
If
you
have
f ast-tracked
to
success,
you< /p>
may
become
deeply
frustrat ed
if
you
discover
you
can
no
longer
satisfy
y our
desires
as
quickly
as
you
might
like.
Yet
the
delays
that
disappoint p>
you
may
be
laying
the
foundation
for
future
accomplishments
that
you
have p>
not
yet
conceived.
Or
the
universe
may
have
plans
for
you
that
differ
from
the
worldly
aspirati ons
you
have
pursued
up
until
this
point.
What p>
you
deem
a
postponement
of
progress
may
actually
< p>representan
auspicious
op portunity
to
prepare
for
w hat
is
yet
to
come.
If,
however,
you
feel
as p>
though
the
universe
is< /p>
pushing
you
forward
at
too
fast
a
clip,
you
may
be
unwittingly
resisting
your
destiny.
Your
un ease
regarding
the
speed
o f
your
progress
could
be p>
a
sign
that
you
n
eed
to
cultivate
awareness
within
yourself
and
learn
to
move
with
the
flow
of
fate
rather
than
against
it.
The
universe
puts
nothing
in
your
path< /p>
that
you
are
incapable
of
handling,
so
you
can
rest
assured
that
you
are
ready
to
grow
i nto
your
new
situation.
You
may
feel
compelled
t o
judge
your
personal
succ ess
using
your
age,
your p>
professional
position,
your p>
level
of
education,
or
< p>theaccomplishments
of
your
peers
as
a
yardstick.
Yet
we
all
enjoy
the p>
major
milestones
in
our
lives
at
the
appropriate
< p>time—somerealize
their
dr eams
as
youngsters
while
o thers
flourish
only
in
old
age.
If
you
take
pr ide
in
your
many
accom plishments
and
make
the
mo st
of
every
circumstance
i n
which
you
find
yours
elf,
your
time
will
come.< /p>
504.
Power
in
Honesty< /p>
Staying
True
To
Your p>
Word
Promises
are
easil y
made.
Keeping
them
often
proves
more
difficult
bec ause
when
we
are
press
ured
to
strive
always
for< /p>
perfection,
we
find
it
simpler
to
agree
to
und ertake
impossible
tasks
than
to
say
no.
Likewise,
< p>thereis
an
infinite
arr ay
of
circumstances
that
< br>conspire
to
goad
us
int o
telling
falsehoods,
even
when
we
hold
a
great
< p>reverencefor
truth.
When<
/p>
you
endeavor
to
consistent ly
keep
your
word,
however ,
you
protect
your
reputat ion
and
promote
yourself
as
someone
who
can
be p>
trusted
to
be
unfailingly p>
truthful.
Though
your
h onesty
may
not
always
ende ar
you
to
others—for
there
will
always
be
those
< p>who
fear
the
truth—you
can
nonetheless
be
certain
that
your
integrity
is
never
tarnished
by
the
patina
of
deceit.
Since
frankness
and
sincerity
form
the
basis
of
all
life-e nriching
relationships,
your
word
is
one
of
your
most
precious
and
powerful
< p>possessions.
When
we
promi se
more
than
we
can
deliver,
hide
from
the
con sequences
of
our
actions
< br>through
falsehoods,
or
deny p>
our
true
selves
to
ot hers,
we
hurt
those
who
were
counting
on
us
< p>byproving
that
their
fa ith
was
wrongly
given.
We< /p>
are
also
hurt
by
the
lies
we
tell
and
promises
we
break.
I ntegrity
is
the
foundation
of
civilization,
allowing
peopl e
to
live,
work,
and p>
play
side
by
side
wit hout
fear
or
apprehension.
As
you
cultivate
honesty
within
yourself,
you
will
find
that
your
honor
a nd
reliability
put
people
at
ease.
Others
will
f eel
comfortable
seeking
out
< p>yourfriendship
and
collaborat ing
with
you
on
projects p>
of
great
importance,
ce rtain
that
their
positive
expectations
will
be
met.
If
you
do
catch
yourse
lf
in
a
lie,
ask
you rself
what
you
wanted
to p>
hide
and
why
you
felt
you
couldn’t
be
truth
ful.
And
if
life’s
surpris es
prevent
you
from
keepin g
your
word,
simply
admit< /p>
your
error
apologetically
and
make
amends
quickly.
Since
the
path
of
t ruth
frequently
represents
the p>
more
difficult
journey,
emb arking
upon
it
builds
character.
You
can
harness
the
power
of
your
word
when
you
do
your
best< /p>
to
live
a
life
o f
honesty
and
understand
w hat
motivates
dishonesty.
In
keeping
your
agreements
a
nd
embodying
sincerity,
you
< p>provethat
you
are
worth y
of
trust
and
perceive
values
as
something
to p>
be
incorporated
into
your p>
daily
existence.
505.
S oulful
Voyages
Travel
Sensit ivity
The
journeys
we
take
are
often
as
exhausti ng
as
they
are
exhilaratin g.
The
thrill
we
feel
< p>as
we
travel
to
a
new
environment
may
be
undercut
by
our
sensitivity
to
change,
strange
surrou
ndings,
and
forced
shifts
in
our
usual
habits.
Air,< /p>
road,
and
sea
travel
can
be
extremely
taxing,
and
many
people
find
s leeping
soundly
in
a
stran ge
bed
exceedingly
difficult
.
There
are,
however,
nume rous
ways
of
taking
the
stress
out
of
both
sho rt
voyages
and
lengthy
sojourns.
Since
much
of
t he
comfort
we
feel
in
< p>ourday-to-day
lives
stems
from
the
fact
that
we
enjoy
the
regularity
of
routine,
adapting
your
ty pical
customs
to
correspond< /p>
with
your
travel
schedule< /p>
can
alleviate
the
unease p>
you
experience
while
aw
ay
from
your
home.
Likewis e,
when
you
ground
yoursel f
by
honoring
the
rituals< /p>
that
are
a
part
of
your
daily
life,
you’ll
no
longer
feel
like
you’re
out
of
your
elemen t.
If
you
find
yoursel f
disconcerted
by
the
fore ignness
of
your
surroundings
when
traveling,
packing
a
few
reassuring
items
from
your
home
in
your
l uggage
can
help
you
stay p>
balanced.
Photographs
of
< p>lovedones,
a
favorite
t ea
or
snack,
soft
slippers ,
or
even
your
own
pillow
can
soothe
the
r igors
associated
with
travel
by
plane,
car,
train,
a nd
ship
while
en
route .
Holding
a
crystal,
gemst one,
talisman,
or
medicine
bag
in
your
hand
duri
ng
particularly
stressful
period s
of
travel
can
help
you
stay
relaxed
and
aler t.
Items
imbued
with
h ealing
or
calming
energy
c an
help
you
destress
once< /p>
you
reach
your
destina
tion.
As
you
unpack
your p>
travel
altar,
light
a
stick
of
sweet-smelling
incense ,
or
bask
in
the
glow
of
a
meditation
cand le,
you’ll
gradually
begin
to
feel
more
grounded
and
serene
in
your
new
location.
During
the
cou rse
of
your
journey,
try p>
not
to
forget
to
indu lge
in
those
activities
th at
center
you
and
sust ain
your
emotional
equilibrium.< /p>
If
you
tend
to
sleep
and
wake
at
the
same
time
each
day,
maint aining
that
schedule
will
ensure
you
stay
strong
and
healthy.
Taking
time
out
of
your
voyage
agenda< /p>
to
write
in
a
journa l,
meditate,
do
yoga,
or p>
walk
can
help
you
reconnect
with
yourself
in
< p>analien
setting.
However
< p>yourestore
your
tranquili
ty,
your
conscious
choice
to
surround
yourself
with
comforting
possessions
and
f
ocus
on
your
well-being
wi ll
make
traveling
a
joy. p>
506.
Head
In
The
Clouds
Cloud
Meditation
When
people
use
the
phrase
in
the
clouds,
the y
usually
refer
to
a
mental
state
that
appears
p>
to
be
drifting
rather
than
concentrating.
For
this
reason,
putting
our
heads
in
the
clouds
can
be
a
wonderful
meditation
tool.
Whether
puffy
and
wh ite
or
tinted
with
the
colors
of
dawn
and
dusk
or
shades
of
gray,
those
vaporous
sky
dwellers< /p>
can
remind
us
of
so
many
things
about
life
and
about
ourselves.
For
this
meditation,
we
ca n
find
a
physical
place
to
relax
and
look
upwa rd,
or
we
can
look
to
the
skies
from
withi n
our
imaginations.
Directing
our
thoughts
to
the
en dless
of
expanse
of
sk y
that
clouds
inhabit,
we< /p>
feel
our
souls
expand
< p>toreach
beyond
any
seem ing
limitations.
Following
t he
clouds,
we
are
free
to
unleash
our
imaginations.< /p>
We
may
choose
to
merely
drift
along
with
t hem
for
a
time,
enjoying p>
their
distanced
perspective
on
the
world.
Or
we p>
can
look
for
messages
in
their
fantastical
shapes,
or
feel
the
joy
of
bounding
between
their
im mense
billowy
puffiness.
However
we
interact
with
them,
we
do
so
from
a
peaceful
place.
Clouds
drift
above
the
hustle
of
the
world
below,
knowing
they
belong
to
another
realm
that
cannot
be
affe cted
by
its
frenzy,
remind ing
us
that
peace
is p>
always
available
to
us.
By
directing
our
vision
beyond
the
ordinary,
clouds
also
remind
us
of
t he
illusion
of
appearances.
< p>Whileappearing
to
be
so lid,
their
vapor
and
m
ist
appear
like
cotton
bal ls
from
below,
giving
litt le
indication
of
the
heigh ts
they
reach.
Sometimes
they
may
cast
shadows,
leaving
us
in
shade,
but p>
like
life’s
difficulties
cl ouds
change
shape
and
move
onward,
revealing
the
shining
sun,
twinkling
stars, p>
and
blue
sky
that
are
behind
them.
When
a
ray
of
light
breaks
through
the
clouds,
their
dramatic
filtering
only
makes
the
light
more
beauti ful
by
contrast,
just
as p>
we
can
shine
more
bri ghtly
in
the
midst
of
< p>life’s
challenges.
When
we
allow
clouds
to
offer
us
a
welcome
respite,
t hey
help
us
visit
the
< p>realm
of
illusion
to
see
the
truth
beyond.
507.
Whole-Self
Well-Being
How
the
Body
Clears
Energy
Whole-self
well-being
is, p>
in
part,
the
result
o f
a
harmonious
flow
of
energy
between
our
physic
al
and
mental
selves.
When
this
flow
is
thrown
out
of
balance
for
any
reason,
the
body
and
mind
react
to
one
anoth er
rather
than
act
coopera tively.
Ongoing
stress,
sadness,
anxiety,
excitement,
and
fear
can
overwhelm
the
cerebral
self,
causing
traumati c
energy
to
be
channel ed
into
the
body.
The
< p>bodythen
responds
by
ta king
steps
to
organically
dispel
the
energy
that
has
burdened
it
and
expre ssing
it
by
means
of
physical
symptoms
such
as p>
illness,
fatigue,
or
diseas e.
In
some
cases,
these
symptoms
can
simply
be
allowed
to
run
their
natural
course
and
recovery
< p>willcome
about
naturally.
In
most
instances,
howeve
r,
health
and
wellness
can
only
be
restored
by
a
dual
course
of
treatmen t
that
acknowledges
both
the
physical
manifestations
o f
energy
clearing
and
the< /p>
underlying
emotional
causes.
Many
of
the
ailments< /p>
we
experience
over
the
course
of
our
lives
can
be
indicative
of
the
< p>body’s
attempts
to
process
intellectual
and
emotional
< p>energy.Swollen
glands,
for
example,
can
signal
that
you
are
going
through
a
period
of
emotional
c leansing.
Even
something
as< /p>
simple
as
a
pimple
c an
indicate
that
your
body
is
ridding
itself
of
< p>toxinsand
old
energy.
In
Chinese
medicine,
intense< /p>
emotions
are
held
in
the
body’s
organs
as
a
matter
of
course.
Grief< /p>
lurks
in
the
lungs,
anger
inhabits
the
liver,
fretfulness
lingers
in
the
p>
heart,
worry
is
held
in
the
stomach,
and
the
kidneys
harbor
fright.
Parti cular
illnesses
and
symptoms
represent
the
body’s
atte mpts
to
clear
emotional
en ergy.
Coughs
or
bronchitis
p>
can
signify
that
the
physical
self
is
clearing
away
grief
while
a
loss
of
appetite
may
signal p>
that
worry
is
being
a ctively
addressed.
When
you< /p>
feel
ill
or
imbalanced,
treating
your
whole
self
rather
than
treating
the
< p>physical
self
alone
can
empower
you
to
determine
the
root
cause
of
sickn ess.
Since
you
understand
that
your
physical
symptoms< /p>
may
be
an
expression
of
emotional
discomfort,
yo
u
can
establish
a
balanced
treatment
regimen
to
ensu re
that
you
quickly
recove r
your
good
health.
508.
The
Strength
of
Com passion
Coming
at
Conflict p>
with
an
Open
Heart
Conflict
is
an
unavoidable
part
of
our
lives
becau se
our
beliefs
and
modes p>
of
being
often
contrast
powerfully
with
those
of< /p>
our
loved
ones,
acquaintan ces,
and
associates.
Yet
f or
all
the
grief
disag reements
can
cause,
we
can
learn
much
from
them.
The
manner
in
which
we
handle
ourselves
when
confronted
with
anger
or
a rgument
demonstrates
our
ove
rall
level
of
patience
and
the
quality
of
our
energetic
states.
To
resolve
conflict,
no
matter
how p>
exasperating
the
disagreement
at
hand,
we
should
appr oach
our
adversary
with
open
heart
laden
with
compassion.
Judgments
and
blame
must
be
cast
aside< /p>
and
replaced
with
mutu al
respect.
Conflict
is
fr equently
motivated
by
unspoken p>
needs
that
are
masked
p>
by
confrontational
attitudes
< p>oraggressive
behavior.
When p>
we
come
at
conflict
< br>with
love
and
acceptance
< p>inour
hearts,
we
empowe r
ourselves
to
discover
a< /p>
means
to
attaining
col lective
resolution.
The
key< /p>
to
finding
the
wisdom
< p>concealedin
conflict
is
to
ask
yourself
why
you p>
clash
with
a
particular
person
or
situation.
Your
inner
self
or
the
u niverse
may
be
trying
to p>
point
you
to
a
sp ecific
life
lesson,
so
try
to
keep
your
ears
a nd
eyes
open.
Once
you
have
explored
the
interna l
and
external
roots
of
your
disagreement,
make
a
conscious
effort
to
release< /p>
any
anger
or
resentmen t
you
feel.
As
you
d o
so,
the
energy
between p>
you
and
your
adversary<
/p>
with
change
perceptibly,
e ven
if
they
are
still
< p>operatingfrom
a
more
li mited
energy
state.
Consider
that
each
of
you
li kely
has
compelling
reasons
< p>forthinking
and
feeling
p>
as
you
do,
and
accept
that
you
have
no
po wer
to
change
your
adversa ry’s
mind.
This
can
he lp
you
approach
your
disag reement
rationally,
with
a
steady
voice
and
a
wi
llingness
to
compromise.
If<
/p>
you
listen
thoughtfully
an d
with
an
empathetic
ear p>
during
conflict,
you
can
transform
clashes
into
o pportunities
to
compromise.
Exam ine
your
thoughts
and
feel ings
carefully.
You
may
< p>discoverstubbornness
within
y ourself
that
is
causing
re sistance
or
that
you
are p>
unwittingly
feeding
yourself< /p>
negative
messages
about
yo ur
adversary.
As
your
part
in
disagreements
becomes
gradually
more
clear,
each p>
new
conflict
becomes
anothe r
chance
to
further
ho ne
your
empathy,
compassion,
and
tolerance.
509.
Links
That
Last
Creating
Co mmunity
Since
the
modern
Western
lifestyle
can
isolate
us
from
one
another,
< p>itis
often
difficult
to
forge
meaningful
connection s.
Self-protection
and
mistrust< /p>
prevent
us
from
reaching p>
out
to
neighbors
and
peers,
and
we
consequently p>
feel
like
we
don’t
tr uly
belong
anywhere.
Yet
creating
community
can
be
as
simple
as
reaching
o ut
within
our
own
neighbor hoods.
To
form
the
bon ds
that
eventually
solidify
< p>intolong-lasting
friendships,
we
must
first
be
will
ing
to
rise
above
the
< p>wallsof
suspicion
and
d oubt
dividing
us
from
the< /p>
individuals
who
inhabit
< p>ourneighborhood,
block,
or
our
building.
We
are
t aught
from
childhood
to
fear
those
we
do
not
know,
but
community
is
as
much
a
part
of
su rvival
as
safety.
When
we
take
a
proactive
appro ach,
we
can
harmoniously
u nite
our
neighbors
and
bui ld
a
network
of
suppor t
that
contributes
to
the< /p>
well-being
of
all
involved .
Your
overtures
of
co mmunity
needn’t
be
complicated.< /p>
If
you
are
new
to
your
neighborhood,
sending
letters
of
introduction
to
your
closest
neighbors
can p>
ensure
that
their
curio sity
about
you
is
partly p>
satisfied.
Consider
telling
them
a
bit
about
yourself
and
how
you
plan
< p>topositively
contribute
to
your
locale,
even
if
i t
is
something
as
stra
ightforward
as
planting
attracti ve
flowers
in
your
window< /p>
boxes.
Or
if
others
have
recently
moved
in
nearby,
schedule
some
time
< p>towelcome
them
to
the p>
area.
By
doing
so,
you
can
calm
any
misgivi ngs
they
have
while
demons trating
that
your
neighborhood p>
is
a
nice
place
t o
live.
It
is
much
e asier
to
meet
people
while
outdoors,
so
try
to
take
frequent
strolls
or
sit
on
your
stoop
or p>
porch
if
you
have
one .
Say
hello
to
people
< p>whopass
by,
and
you
will
likely
get
to
know
your
neighbors
speedily.
And
one
of
the
easiest
ways
to
build
a
sense
of
community
is
to< /p>
organize
neighborhood
projects p>
and
events
that
bring
people
together
in
service< /p>
or
in
fun.
Even
if
you
have
little
in
< p>commonwith
your
neighbors,
your
proximity
to
one
another
can
offer
a
wo nderful
opportunity
to
pursue
new
friendships
and
working< /p>
relationships.
You
may
not
see
eye
to
eye
on
matters
of
spirituality,
< p>politics,or
lifestyle
issues,
but
each
of
you
understands
that
community
help s
people
feel
connected.
A s
you
grow
to
know
< br>and
then
to
like
one
another,
the
city
or
t own
where
you
reside
will< /p>
truly
become
your
home
.
510.
One
Way
To
< p>FindOut
You
Never
K now
Until
You
Try
When
contemplating
whether
to
do
something
or
not,
a
plucky
voice
in
our
hea ds
may
say,
never
know
until
you
try.
Thi s
is
time-honored
wisdom
t hat
encourages
us
to
b
e
game
rather
than
to
< p>holdback.
It
reminds
us
that
it
is
only
thr ough
experience
that
we
learn
about
this
world
a nd
ourselves.
Even
if
we p>
regret
the
outcome,
we
< p>havelearned
something,
an d
the
newfound
knowledge
i s
almost
always
worth
it.< /p>
This
wisdom
can
be
applied
to
situations
both
large
and
small.
From
crossing
the
Atlantic
on
a
boat
to
trying
Ethiop ian
food,
there’s
only
one
way
to
find
out
wha t
it’s
like.
We
have
p>
all
had
experiences
where p>
we
tried
something
we
didn’t
think
we’d
like
an d
fell
in
love.
We
may
have
found
ourselves
< p>stuckwith
nothing
to
re ad
but
a
book,
only
to
kick-start
a
lifel ong
passion
for
Victorian
literature.
We
may
have
de cided
that
sailing
was
not
for
us
until
we
fell
in
love
with
someone
with
a
boat.
On
the
other
hand,
we
may
try
tofu
only
to
learn
that
it
is
truly
no t
for
us.
In
this
ca se,
we
gain
greater
self-< /p>
knowledge
from
the
exp erience.
And
yet,
we
might
still
remain
open
to
< p>tryingit
prepared
in
different
way.
The
rig ht
marinade
might
make
you
a
convert—you’ll
never
kn ow
if
you
don’t
try
it.
It
is
often
sa id
that
at
the
end
o f
our
lives
we
are
m ore
likely
to
regret
the p>
things
we
did
not
do
than
the
things
we
did.
As
an
exercise
to< /p>
test
your
own
willingness< /p>
to
discover
through
do ing,
try
making
a
list
of
things
you
regret
no t
having
done.
You
may
begin
to
notice
patterns< /p>
such
as
a
failure
to
say
what
you
really
think
at
key
moments
or p>
closed-
mindedness
to
c ertain
types
of
activities.
< p>Justbeing
aware
of
the< /p>
opportunities
you
missed
might
encourage
you
not
to
miss
them
again.
There ’s
only
one
way
to
f ind
out.
511.
Digging
Deep
for
Healing
Rooting
Down
For
many
people,
apprehension
manifests
itself
in
the
physical
self
as p>
a
potent
feeling
of
< br>heaviness
or
nausea
situated< /p>
in
the
depths
of
the
lower
abdomen.
And
it
is
there,
at
the
se
at
of
the
second
or
sacral
chakra,
that
we
mus t
lovingly
and
deliberately
< p>confrontthe
anxiety.
By p>
rooting
down
into
the
deepest
physical
reaches
of
ourselves,
we
can
cleanse
ourselves
of
unease
and p>
replenish
the
space
it
< p>hasleft
behind
with
tra nquil
awareness.
Much
of
what
we
encounter
in
ou r
daily
lives
has
the
< p>potentialto
awaken
feelings p>
of
nervousness
within
u s
or
make
us
question
< p>whetherwe
are
truly
in< /p>
control
of
our
lives.
< p>When
you
establish
a
den
of
peace
within
your< /p>
core,
you
empower
yourself
to
act
rather
than
react
in
distressing
situati ons.
Your
balanced
second
chakra
helps
you
respond
< br>productively
to
the
turmoil p>
around
you
while
your
inwardly
directed
attention
ste adies
you.
There
are
many
ways
to
restore
yo ur
strength
and
clear
nega tive
energy
from
your
core .
To
ground
yourself
a nd
regain
your
emotional
e quilibrium,
concentrate
on
the p>
second
chakra,
picturing
< p>itas
a
funnel
of
vivid
orange
light.
Reach
down
toward
that
light
wit h
your
awareness
and
c hannel
your
breath
into
th e
space
it
occupies.
As
you
balance
the
chakra,<
/p>
you
will
become
more
adaptive
and
thus
better
able
to
stand
strong
when< /p>
faced
with
rapidly
cha nging
conditions.
You
can
channel
healing
energy
into
< p>yourcore
by
visualizing
p>
the
area
below
your
b elly
button
as
an
open
space
into
which
you
ch annel
white,
loving
light. p>
Like
light
and
air,
s ound
can
be
a
wonderful
tool
that
helps
you
fi nd
your
center.
Your
v oice,
when
drawn
from
your
core
in
the
form
of
a
deep
roar
or
loud
shout,
can
be
the
vehicle
upon
which
your
anxiety
is
conveyed
into
the
ether.
Take
a
low
< p>stance,
much
like
a
football
player,
root
your
feet
into
the
earth,
and< /p>
then
roar
like
a
lio n.
Really
feel
it
in p>
your
belly.
It
may
so und
silly,
but
chances
are
you
will
feel
much
less
anxious
and
much
more
grounded
into
your
bo dy.
A
situation
that
s eems
hopeless
when
viewed
from
a
perspective
colored
by
fear
may
become
ea sily
manageable
when
approached< /p>
with
a
serene
heart
and
mind.
As
you
root
< p>down
into
your
core,
you’ll
discover
that
the
trepidation
and
helplessness
you
feel
within
you
is
not
invincible.
Rather,
it p>
will
respond
readily
to
your
efforts
to
eradicate
it,
leaving
you
feeling p>
peaceful
and
capable
of
calmly
handling
any
challengi ng
circumstances
that
arise.
512.
Living
Potential
Sharing
Your
Gift
with
< p>Others
The
gifts
we
are
born
with
and
those
that
we
work
to
develo p
throughout
our
lives
var y
in
form
and
function .
Some
we
find
use
f or
every
day
while
others< /p>
are
only
useful
in
< br>specific
circumstances.
Yet
m any
times
we
overlook
oppo rtunities
to
share
our
uni que
gifts
with
others.
It
may
be
fear
of
c riticism
that
holds
us
bac k
or
the
paralyzing
weight
of
uncertainty.
Ultimately,
we
doubt
that
our
i nnate
talents
and
practiced
< p>skillscan
truly
add
value
to
others’
lives.
B ut
it
is
the
world
a s
a
whole
that
benefits
when
we
willingly
share
< p>our
gifts.
Whether
you
have
been
blessed
with
the
ability
to
awaken
beau tiful
emotions
in
others
through
art
or
industry,
< p>oryour
aptitudes
transmit
more
practical
advantages,
yo ur
gifts
are
a
part
of
who
you
are.
As
you
make
use
of
those p>
gifts
as
best
you
can ,
be
assured
that
your
contribution
to
worldly
w ell-being
will
not
be
over looked.
Your
personal
power< /p>
is
defined
in
part
b y
your
gifts.
To
use
your
talents
is
to
de
monstrate
to
the
world
tha t
you
understand
yourself
and
are
truly
attuned
to p>
your
capabilities.
Your
earthly
existence
provides
you< /p>
with
ample
opportunity
to< /p>
explore
your
purpose,
to
utilize
your
skills
in< /p>
a
life-affirming
way,
and< /p>
to
positively
touch
the
lives
of
others
while
doing
so.
Yet
you
may< /p>
feel
that
your
gifts
are
not
as
valuable
or
worthy
of
attention
as p>
those
of
others
and
t hus
hide
them
away.
Howeve r,
every
gift
lying
dorman t
in
your
soul
has
the
potential
to
fill
a
void
in
someone
else’s
life.
Just
as
your
exi stence
is
made
richer
by
the
love,
support,
frie ndship,
aid,
and
compassion
< p>ofothers,
so,
too,
can< /p>
you
add
richness
to
their
lives.
Your
natural
ability
to
soothe
hurt,
< p>inspirecompassion,
bake,
dance,
knit,
organize,
or
think
outside
the
box
can< /p>
be
a
boon
to
someone
in
need.
As
you
embrace
your
gifts
and
al low
their
light
to
shine,< /p>
you
will
discover
that
more
and
more
opportuniti es
to
make
use
of
th em
arise.
This
is
because< /p>
your
gifts
are
a
cha nnel
through
which
the
universe
operates.
By
simply
doing
what
you
are
goo d
at
and
also
love
< br>to
do,
you
make
a
positive
difference.
The
recogn ition
you
receive
for
your
efforts
will
pale
in< /p>
comparison
to
the
satisfac tion
you
feel
when
fulfill ing
your
innate
potential.
513.
Sharing
Peace
Stra
ngers
in
Our
Sanctuary
When
we
have
created
a
sanctuary
in
our
home,
it
can
be
jarring
to
< p>havethe
outside
world
come
in.
It
is
easy
to
share
our
space
with
those
we
know
well,
but
often
strangers
are
asked
in
as
household
h elp,
contractors,
or
technicians
that
help
us
make
o ur
homes
more
comfortable. p>
Acquaintances
of
our
spouse s
or
children
also
bring p>
something
new
and
diffe rent
into
our
space.
If
we
resist
their
presence,
treating
it
as
an
intr usion,
we
restrict
the
free
flow
of
energy
and p>
may
miss
the
gift
the y
bring.
Instead,
we
can p>
choose
to
treat
their p>
energy
as
an
exchange
of
gifts
as
well
as
an
exercise
in
acceptance.
< p>Before
their
arrival,
we p>
can
prepare
by
envisioning< /p>
light
surrounding
our
bodi es
and
radiating
outward
from
the
core
of
our
homes.
We
may
want
to< /p>
create
a
calm
and
welcoming
environment
by
playi ng
meditation
music
or
lig hting
incense.
We
can
remo ve
tension
for
all
inv olved
by
putting
away
our< /p>
valuables.
Then
when
they< /p>
arrive,
we
claim
our
p>
boundaries
by
guiding
them< /p>
through
their
visit—asking
them
to
remove
their
shoe s,
offering
coasters
or
< p>aplace
to
set
down
< p>toolboxes,
and
indicating
by
example
to
speak
softly
or
not
use
harsh p>
language.
If
something
stil l
causes
stress,
we
can
remember
that
what
begin s
as
an
irritation
to
< p>anoyster
becomes
a
pear l.
After
they
depart,
we p>
can
burn
sage
and
clear
our
space
if
we
like
but
not
without
fi rst
finding
the
pearl.
Finally,
remember
that
we
learn
about
life
by
relat ing
with
others.
People
ma y
have
been
sent
to
our
homes
because
we
i gnored
some
of
the
univers e’s
messengers
outside.
Our
< p>homes
need
not
be
a< /p>
way
to
keep
people
o ut
but
can
be
the
pl ace
where
we
are
ourselves
while
accepting
and
a llowing
other’s
choices.
When
we
share
the
joy
of
our
homes,
we
radiate
our
light
rather
than
hide
it
behind
closed
door s.
The
more
we
do
th is,
the
more
the
outsi de
world
can
become
like p>
the
sanctuary
we’ve
created
inside.
514.
Honoring
Life
Changes
The
Wisdom
of
Fear
Anything
worth
doing
will
always
have
some
fear
attached
to
it.
For
example,
having
a
baby,
getting
married,
ch anging
careers—all
of
these
< p>lifechanges
can
bring
u p
deep
fears.
It
helps
to
remember
that
this
type
of
fear
is
good. p>
It
is
your
way
of
questioning
whether
you
r eally
want
the
new
life
these
changes
will
bring.
It
is
also
a
potent
reminder
that
releasing
and
grieving
the
past
is p>
a
necessary
part
of
m oving
into
the
new.
Fe
ar
has
a
way
of
thro wing
us
off
balance,
makin g
us
feel
uncertain
and
insecure,
but
it
is
not
meant
to
discourage
us.
Its
purpose
is
to
< p>notifyus
that
we
are
at
the
edge
of
our
comfort
zone,
poised
in p>
between
the
old
life
and
a
new
one.
Whenever
we
face
our
fear,
we
overcome
an
inner
obsta cle
and
move
into
new
< p>andlife-enhancing
territory,
both
inside
and
out.
T he
more
we
learn
to
respect
and
even
welcome
f ear,
the
more
we
will
< p>be
able
to
hear
its< /p>
wisdom,
wisdom
that
will p>
let
us
know
that
the< /p>
time
has
come
to
mov e
forward,
or
not.
Whi le
comfort
with
fear
is
a
contradiction
in
terms,
we
can
learn
to
ho
nor
our
fear,
recognizing
its
arrival,
listening
to
its
intelligence,
and
respecting
it
as
a
harbinger
of
transformation.
Indeed,
it
informs
us
that
the
change
we
are
contemplating
is
significant,
enabling
us
to
approach
it
with
the
proper
reverence.
You
might
wish
to
converse
with
your
fear,
plumbing
its
depths
for
a
greate r
understanding
of
the
change
you
are
making.
Yo u
could
do
this
by
s itting
quietly
in
meditation
and
listening
or
by
journaling.
Writing
down
whatev er
comes
up—your
worries,
your
sadness,
your
excitemen t,
your
hopes—is
a
great p>
way
to
learn
about
yourself
through
the
vehicle p>
of
fear
and
to
rememb er
that
fear
almost
always
comes
alongside
anything
worth
doing
in
your
li fe.
515.
Consulting
Heart
and
Mind
Making
Choices< /p>
from
a
Place
of
Bala nce
Each
of
the
myriad
decisions
we
make
every p>
day
has
the
potential
to
have
a
deep
impact
on
our
lives.
Some
choices
touch
us
to
our
very
cores,
awakening
poigna nt
feelings
within
us.
Others
seem
at
first
to p>
be
simple
but
prove
t o
be
confusingly
complex.
We
make
the
best
decis ions
when
we
approach
the< /p>
decision-making
process
from
a
balanced
emotional
and< /p>
intellectual
foundation.
When
we
have
achieved
equilibrium
in
our
hearts
and
in
our
minds,
we
can
clearly
see
both
sides
of
an
issue
or
alternativ e.
Likewise,
we
can
ac cept
compromise
as
a
natur al
fact
of
life.
Instead p>
of
relying
solely
on
our
feelings
or
our
ra tionality,
we
utilize
both
in
equal
measure,
empowering
ourselves
to
come
to
a
life-affirming
and
balanced
conclusion.
Balance
within< /p>
and
balance
without
go
hand
in
hand.
When
you< /p>
are
called
upon
to
< br>choose
between
two
or
m ore
options,
whether
they
are
attractive
or
distasteful, p>
you
should
understand
a ll
you
can
about
the
choice
ahead
of
you
befor e
moving
forward.
If
y
ou
do
not
come
to
th e
decision
from
a
place
of
balance,
you
risk
m aking
choices
that
are
irrational
and
overly
emotional
or
are
wholly
logical
and
don’t
take
your
fee lings
into
account.
In
bringing
your
thoughts
and
< p>emotionstogether
during
the p>
decision-making
process,
you< /p>
ensure
that
you
are
taking
everything
possible
into< /p>
account
before
moving
forward.
Nothing
is
left
u p
to
chance,
and
you
have
ample
opportunity
to
determine
which
options
are
in
accordance
with
your p>
values.
Though
some
maj or
decisions
may
oblige
yo u
to
act
and
react
q uickly,
most
will
allow
you
an
abundance
of
time
in
which
to
mull
ov er
your
choices.
If
you
doubt
your
ability
to
approach
your
options
in
a
balanced
fashion,
take
< p>anextended
time-out
before
responding
to
the
decisi on.
This
will
give
you
the
interlude
you
need
to
make
certain
that
y
our
thoughts
and
feelings
are
in
equilibrium.
As
you
practice
achieving
balance,
you
will
ultimately
reach
a
state
of
mind
in< /p>
which
you
can
easily
make
decisions
that
honor
every
aspect
of
the
s elf.
516.
Shifting
with
< p>Nature’sEnergy
Change
of< /p>
Season
In
today’s
worl d,
office
jobs
and
superma rkets
have
made
it
possibl e
to
work
and
provide
< p>for
ourselves
and
our
< p>familiesregardless
of
nature’ s
cycles.
While
most
of
us
no
longer
depend
on
nature’s
seasons p>
for
our
livelihood,
our
bodies’
clocks
still
know
deep
down
that
a
ch ange
of
season
means
a
change
in
us
too.
If
we
don’t
acknowledge
this, p>
we
may
feel
out
o f
sync,
as
though
we
have
lost
our
natural
rhy thm.
These
days,
autumn
is
more
likely
to
bring< /p>
thoughts
of
going
back
to
school
than
harvesting,
but
in
both
cases,
the
chill
in
the
air
< p>tellsus
it’s
time
to
move
inside
and
prepare
< p>forthe
future.
We
c an
consciously
celebrate
the
change
of
season
and
sh ift
our
own
energy
by
< p>setting
some
time
aside
to
make
the
same
chang es
we
see
in
nature.
We
can
change
colors
like
the
falling
leaves
an d
wilting
blooms
by
puttin g
away
our
bright
summer p>
colors
and
filling
our< /p>
wardrobes
and
living
areas
with
warm
golds,
reds,
and
browns.
While
plants
concentrate
their
energy
deep
in
their
roots
and
seeds,
we
can
retreat
to
quieter,
indoor
pursuits,
nurturing
the
seeds
of
new
endeavors,
which
need
quiet
concentration
to
g row.
We
can
stoke
our
< p>innerfires
with
our
fav orite
coffee,
tea,
cider,
or
cocoa
while
savoring
< p>therich,
hot
comfort
fo ods
that
the
season
brings
in
an
array
of
fall
colors:
potatoes,
apple
pies,
pumpkin,
squash,
and
corn.
As
animals
begin
growing
their
winter
coats< /p>
and
preparing
their
dens p>
for
hibernation,
we
can
dust
off
our
favorite
< br>sweaters
and
jackets
and
< p>bringblankets
out
of
st orage,
creating
coziness
with
throw
rugs
and
heavier p>
drapes.
We
can
also
l ight
candles
or
fireplaces
to
bring
a
remnant
of
summer’s
fiery
glow
indoo rs.
By
making
a
consci ous
celebration
of
the
cha nge,
we
usher
in
the
new
season
in
a
way
that
allows
us
to
go< /p>
with
the
flow,
not
f ight
against
it.
We
sync p>
ourselves
up
with
the
rhythm
of
nature
and
the
universe
and
let
it
carry
us
forward,
nurturing< /p>
us
as
we
prepare
for
our
future.
517.
Self-Determination
Using
Your
< p>Power
Our
lives
are
defined
by
the
decisions
w e
make
each
day.
When
< p>wechoose
one
option
over
another,
whether
we
are
selecting
a
restaurant
or
considering
a
cross-country< /p>
move,
we
shape
our
lives.
The
decision-making
pr ocess
can
be
empowering,
a llowing
us
to
enjoy
th e
benefits
of
self-determination .
Yet
it
can
also
be
a
source
of
anxiety
because
decisions
force
us< /p>
to
face
the
possibility
of
dissatisfaction
and
inner
conflict.
As
a
result,
many
of
us
opt
to< /p>
avoid
making
decisions
by< /p>
allowing
others
to
make
them
for
us.
We
co
nsequently
turn
our
power
over
to
spouses,
relatives,
< p>friends,and
colleagues,
grant ing
them
the
stewardship
of
our
lives
that
is
ours
by
right.
Though
the
decisions
we
must
make
are
often
difficult,
we
grow
more
self-sufficient
and
secure
each
time
we
trust
ourselves
enough
< p>tochoose.
Ultimately,
onl y
you
can
know
how
t he
options
before
you
will
impact
your
daily
life
and
your
long-term
well- being.
Within
you
lies
the
power
to
competently
weig h
the
advantages
and
d isadvantages
of
each
selection.< /p>
Even
if
you
feel
inc apable
of
making
a
dec
ision,
your
inner
wisdom
a nd
your
intuitive
mind
wil l
give
you
sound
counsel p>
if
you
have
faith
in
yourself.
Try
to
come< /p>
to
your
own
conclusions
before
seeking
the
guidance< /p>
of
others,
and
even
then,
treat
their
suggestion s
as
supplementary
information p>
rather
than
votes
to
be
tallied.
Before
making
your
choice,
release
your
fear
of
wrong
decisions.
Perceived
mistakes
can
le ad
you
down
wonderful
and< /p>
unexpected
paths
that
expo se
you
to
life-changing
< p>insights.If
you
can
let
go
of
the
notion
th at
certain
choices
are
utt erly
right
while
others
< p>areentirely
wrong,
you
will
be
less
tempted
to
invite
others
to
take
the
reigns
of
your
des tiny.
When
your
choices
< p>areyour
own,
you
will p>
be
more
likely
to
acc ept
and
be
satisfied
with< /p>
the
outcome
of
those p>
choices.
Your
decisions
wil l
be
a
pure
reflection
of
your
desires,
your
creativity,
your
awareness,
a nd
your
power.
Since
you p>
understand
that
you
must
live
with
and
take
responsibility
for
your
decisio ns,
you
will
likely
exerci se
great
care
when
com
ing
to
conclusions.
As
you
learn
to
make
informed
and
autonomous
choices,
you< /p>
will
gain
the
freedom< /p>
to
consciously
direct
the< /p>
flow
of
your
life
wi thout
interference.
518.
Liv ing
with
It
People
Who
Don't
Get
It
You
be
someone
who
under stands
the
true
nature
of< /p>
reality,
perceiving
deeply
that
we
all
emanate
f rom
the
same
source,
that< /p>
we
are
all
essentially
one,
and
that
we
are
here
on
earth
to
l ove
one
another.
To
unders tand
this
is
to
be
a wakened
to
the
true
nature
of
the
self,
and
< p>itis
a
blessing.
Nevert heless,
people
who
just
do n’t
get
it
are
seemingly p>
everywhere
and,
often,
in
positions
of
power.
It< /p>
can
be
frustrating
and
painful
to
watch
them
behave
unconsciously.
We
all< /p>
encounter
individuals
of
t his
bent
in
our
families,< /p>
at
work,
and
in
all
areas
of
public
life.< /p>
It
is
easy
to
find p>
ourselves
feeling
intolerant
< p>ofthese
people,
wishing p>
we
could
be
free
of p>
them
even
though
we
k now
that
separation
from
< br>them
is
an
illusion.
It
helps
sometimes
to
th ink
of
us
all
as
dif ferent
parts
of
one
psyche .
Just
as
within
our
own
hearts
and
minds
we
have
dark
places
that p>
need
healing,
the
heart
and
mind
of
the
wor
ld
has
its
dark
places.
The
health
of
the
whol e
organism
depends
upon
th e
relative
health
of
t he
individuals
within
it.
We
increase
harmony
when
w e
hold
onto
the
light,
not
allowing
it
to
be
darkened
by
judgment,
a nger,
and
fear
about
those
who
behave
unconsciously.
p>
It’s
easier
to
accomplish p>
this
if
we
don’t
focu s
on
the
negative
qualitie s
of
individuals
and
i nstead
focus
on
how
increa sing
our
own
light
will
increase
the
light
of
the
overall
picture.
Whe
n
dealing
with
people
who< /p>
seem
very
unconscious,
it< /p>
helps
to
remember
that
every
one
must
find
their
own
way
to
awakenin g
and
that
the
experiences
they
are
having
are
an
essential
part
of
their
process.
Holding
them
< p>inthe
light
of
our
< p>ownenergy
may
be
the
best
way
to
awaken
theirs.
At
the
same
time,
we
are
inspired
by
their
example
to
look
within
and
shed
light
on p>
our
own
unconscious
places,
sacrificing
the
urge
to p>
judge
and
surrendering
instead
to
humble
self-inquiry.< /p>
519.
Fear
of
Losing
What
We
Have
Seeing
Fearful
Delusions
O
ne
of
humanity’s
biggest
f ears
is
losing
what
we
have.
It
is
healthy
whe n
fear
of
loss
helps
p>
us
take
steps
to
prot ect
what
we
have
worked
hard
to
attain,
but
it
is
unhealthy
to
conti
nue
to
fear
something
we p>
can
do
nothing
about.
We
need
to
remember
that< /p>
focusing
our
energy
on
fear
can
actually
create< /p>
what
scares
us,
and
holding
tightly
to
what
we
have
keeps
us
from
participating
in
the
univers al
flow
of
abundance
and p>
instead
creates
stagnation.
p>
Since
we
can
only
rea lly
control
our
thoughts
a nd
our
responses,
gaining
proper
perspective
may
be
key
to
conquering
such
fears.
The
letters
of
the
word
can
be
us ed
to
stand
for
Evi dence
Appearing
Real.
Fears<
/p>
of
being
separated
from
something
or
someone
we
< p>feelwe
need
for
our
security
or
happiness
com es
from
a
delusion—a
disto rted
way
of
understanding
ourselves
and
the
world
us.
When
we
under stand
that
possessions
are
only
representations
of
the
energy
at
work
in
o ur
lives,
we
can
shift
our
attention
to
the
ri ght
and
proper
place.
We p>
can
stop
fearing
loss p>
of
money
or
success
b ecause
when
we
understand
how
it
is
created,
we<
/p>
can
always
create
more.
We
can
stop
fearing
lo ss
of
possessions
when
we< /p>
realize
that
they
are< /p>
not
the
source
of
ou r
joy
or
well-being
but
only
icing
on
our
cake s.
And
when
we
underst and
the
energy
of
love,
we
need
not
hold
anyon e
too
close
for
fear
of
losing
them
for
we
know
that
love
does
not
diminish
when
it
is p>
given
or
shared
but
e xpands
beyond
boundaries
of< /p>
time
or
space.
By
our
light
on
ou r
fears,
they
are
revealed
as
mere
shadows
that
< p>disappearin
the
presence< /p>
of
mind
and
spirit.
We
can
choose
instead
to p>
direct
our
thoughts
and
creative
power
toward
thi ngs
of
true
value—love,
ab undance,
peace,
passion,
and
joy.
These
are
energies
p>
that
are
always
available p>
to
us
when
we
place p>
ourselves
confidently
in
th e
universal
flow
of
ab undance.
520.
Putting
Yourse lf
First
Daily
Self-Care
We
have
all
heard
t he
instructions
of
an
airl ine
attendant
reminding
us
to
put
on
our
own
< br>oxygen
mask
before
we
h elp
anyone
else
with
their s.
This
advice
is
often
cited
as
a
metaphor
self-care
because
it
so
accurately
expresses
why
it
is
important.
It
see ms
to
say,
ironically,
that
if
you
can’t
take
care
of
yourself
for
y ourself,
do
it
for
others.
Few
situations
in
our
daily
lives
mimic
the
wake-up
call
of
an
airp lane
emergency,
so
it’s
ea sy
to
keep
putting
sel f-care
off—easy,
that
is,
until
we
get
sick,
overwhe lmed,
or
exhausted,
and
don’t
have
the
energy
to
care
for
the
people
who
count
on
us.
That’s
when
we
realiz e
we
haven’t
been
getting< /p>
the
oxygen
we
need
t o
sustain
ourselves.
We
be gin
to
understand
that
taking
care
of
ourselves
is
neither
selfish
nor
ind ulgent;
it’s
just
plain
practical.
Putting
yourself
< p>firstmeans
that
it
may< /p>
be
necessary
to
say
no
to
someone
else
in
< p>orderto
say
yes
to< /p>
yourself.
For
many
of
< p>us,there
is
always
some thing
we
feel
we
could
be
doing
for
someone
< p>else,and
it
helps
to
remember
the
oxygen
metaphor .
You
can
even
encoura
ge
yourself
by
saying
am
caring
for
myself
so
that
I
am
better
ab le
to
care
for
others<
/p>
or
some
other
mantra
that
will
encourage
you.
It
also
helps
to
remember< /p>
that
self-
care
doesn’ t
have
to
be
composed
< p>ofmassively
time-consuming
ac ts.
In
fact,
the
best
< p>prescription
for
taking
ca re
of
yourself
is
probably
small,
daily
rituals;
for
example,
taking
one
h alf-hour
for
yourself
at
t he
beginning
and
end
of
the
day
to
meditate,
j ournal,
or
just
be.
Yo u
might
also
transform
the
occasional
daily
shower
o r
bath
into
a
half- hour
self-pampering
session.
Whatever
you
decide,
making
some
small
gesture
where< /p>
you
put
yourself
first
every
day
will
pay
off
in
spades
for
you
< p>andthe
ones
you
love. p>
The
oxygen
you
need
i s
all
around
you;
some times
you
just
need
to
be
reminded
to
breathe.
521.
Supporting
and
Inspiri ng
True
Leadership
When<
/p>
we
call
someone
a
le ader,
what
we
sometimes
me an
is
that
they
are
the
best
in
their
part icular
field;
they
are
ins piring
because
of
how
much
they
accomplish.
To
be
highly
accomplished
is
i mpressive,
but
that
isn’t
what
leadership
is
about.
True
leaders
are
not
j ust
high
achievers;
they
a lso
support
the
people
aro und
them
to
achieve,
and,< /p>
in
certain
cases,
to p>
become
leaders
themselves.
In
other
words,
true
leade rs
do
not
create
a
< br>static
group
of
followers.
Rather,
they
create
an
environment
in
which
everyone p>
can
develop
their
poten tial.
True
leaders
don’t
g et
so
caught
up
in
t he
forward
thrust
of
their
own
energy
that
they< /p>
forget
about
others
or
the
larger
environment.
They< /p>
set
an
example
with
their
actions,
and
they
< p>alsosupport
others
to
a ct.
This
is
why
true
leadership
is
so
rare.
Not
everybody
is
cut
out
to
be
a
leader,
but
most
of
us
have
the
potential
to
serve
in
a
leadership
role
at< /p>
some
point
in
our
li ves.
When
doing
so,
we
might
want
to
be
inspir ed
by
the
highest
mani festation
of
leadership,
remembe ring
that
we
are
meant
to
forward
not
only
ourselves
but
a
whole
env ironment—an
ideal,
a
plan,
the
people
around
us.
Whi le
this
won’t
be
easy,
it
is
the
true
mean ing
of
the
job,
and
we
can
trust
that
we
are
capable
of
it.
Ot herwise,
we
probably
wouldn’t
find
ourselves
in
the
position
to
lead.
It’s
also
possible
that
we
hav e
determined
that
our
gift s
are
best
applied
in
< p>asecondary
position,
supp orting
the
efforts
of
a
leader
whose
vision
we
admire.
In
this
case,
we< /p>
can
ensure
that
our
energy
is
best
applied
by
holding
the
person
for
whom
we
work
to
a p>
high
standard
of
leader ship.
In
this
way,
we
< p>takeresponsibility
for
our
own
gifts
by
guaranteein
g
that
they
will
be
appreciated
and
developed
in
a
way
that
best
serves< /p>
the
whole.
522.
Go ing
through
the
Opening
Contracting
before
Expanding
< br>Sometimes
our
lives
contract< /p>
before
they
expand.
We
may
be
working
hard
on< /p>
ourselves
spiritually,
doing
good
in
the
world,
following
our
dreams,
and
wondering
why
we
are
s
till
facing
constrictions
of
all
kinds—financial,
emotional,
physical.
Perhaps
we
even
feel
as
if
we’ve
lo st
our
spirituality
and
ar e
stuck
in
a
dark
ro om
with
no
windows.
We
may
be
confused
and
discouraged
by
what
appears
to
be
a
lack
of
p rogress.
But
sometimes
this< /p>
is
the
way
things
wo rk.
Like
a
caterpillar
tha t
confines
itself
to
a
tiny
cocoon
before
it
grows
wings
and
flies,
we
are
experiencing
the
da rkness
before
the
dawn.
When
things
feel
tight,
it’s
easy
to
panic
or
< p>wantto
act
in
some
< p>wayto
ease
the
feeling< /p>
of
constriction.
We
mi ght
also
spin
our
wheels p>
mentally,
trying
to
underst and
why
things
are
the
way
they
are.
However,
there
is
nothing
we
ne ed
to
do
at
this
tim e
other
than
to
be
< br>patient
and
persevering.
We p>
can
cling
to
the
awar eness
that
we
are
processi ng
the
shift
from
one< /p>
stage
to
another,
and
< p>themore
we
surrender
to
the
experience,
the
more< /p>
quickly
we
will
move p>
through
the
tightness
into< /p>
the
opening
on
the
o ther
side.
Just
like
a
baby
making
its
way
down
the
birth
canal,
we< /p>
may
feel
squeezed
and
< p>pushedand
very
uncomforta
ble,
but
if
we
remember
that
we
are
on
our
way
to
being
born
into< /p>
a
new
reality,
we
< p>willfind
the
strength
t o
carry
on.
Even
as
we
endure
the
contractions,< /p>
we
can
find
peace
wi thin
ourselves
if
we
remem ber
to
trust
the
unive rse.
We
can
look
to
the
natural
world
for
insp iration
as
we
see
that
all
beings
surrender
to p>
the
process
of
being
born.
In
that
surrender,
a nd
in
the
center
of
our
own
hearts,
is
a p>
willingness
to
trust
in
the
unknown
as
we
make< /p>
our
way
through
the
opening.
523.
Moving
in< /p>
Real
Time
Fast-Forward
Button
We
all
go
thro ugh
times
when
we
wish
we
could
press
a
fast-f orward
button
and
propel
< br>ourselves
into
the
future
and
out
of
our
current< /p>
circumstances.
Whether
the
situation
we
are
facing
is
minor,
or
major
such
as
the
loss
of
a
loved
one,
it
is
human
nature
to
want
to
< br>move
away
from
pain
and
find
comfort
as
soon
< p>aspossible.
Yet
we
all< /p>
know
deep
down
that
we
need
to
work
throug h
these
experiences
in
a p>
conscious
fashion
rather
th an
bury
our
heads
in p>
the
sand,
because
these
are
the
times
when
we p>
access
important
information
< p>about
ourselves
and
life.< /p>
The
learning
process
may p>
not
be
easy,
but
it p>
is
full
of
lessons
that
bring
us
wisdom
we< /p>
cannot
find
any
other
< p>way.
The
desire
to
p ress
fast-forward
can
lead
to
escapism
and
denial,
b oth
of
which
only
prol
ong
our
difficulties
and
i n
some
cases
make
them
worse.
The
more
direct,
clear,
and
courageous
we
are
in
the
face
of
whatever
we
are
dealing
with,
the
more
quickly
we
will
move
through
the
situation.
Understanding
this,< /p>
we
may
begin
to
real ize
that
trying
to
fin
d
the
fast-forward
button
is
really
more
akin
to
pressing
pause.
When
we
truly
grasp
that
the
only
way
out
of
any
situation
in
which
we
find
ourselves
is
to
go
through
it,
we
stop
lo oking
for
ways
to
escape p>
and
we
start
paying
c lose
attention
to
what
is< /p>
happening.
We
realize
that
we
are
exactly
where< /p>
we
need
to
be.
We
remember
that
we
are
i n
this
situation
in
or der
to
learn
something
we< /p>
need
to
know,
and
we
can
alleviate
some
of
our
pain
with
the
a wareness
that
there
is
a p>
purpose
to
our
suffering. p>
When
you
feel
the
urge
to
press
the
fast-fo rward
button,
remember
that
< p>youare
not
alone;
w
e
all
instinctively
avoid
pain.
But
in
doing
so,
we
often
prolong
our
pa in
and
delay
important
learning.
As
you
choose
t o
move
forward
in
real
time,
know
that
in
the< /p>
long
run,
this
is
< p>theleast
painful
way
to
go.
524.
Outlining
Yo ur
Intentions
Making
a
List
of
What
You
Want
The
universe
is
aware
of
both
the
concrete
go als
we
actively
pursue
and
the
nebulous
dreams
w e
have
not
yet
begun
to
refine.
Neither
our
struggles
nor
the
daydreams
that
inspire
us
are
be yond
the
range
of
univ
ersal
perception.
Yet
to
m anifest
our
aspirations,
we
< p>notonly
need
to
kno w
what
it
is
we
gene rally
wish
to
achieve;
we< /p>
also
need
to
clearly
p>
articulate
these
aims
to
ourselves
and
the
universe.< /p>
When
we
create
a
list
of
what
we
want,
citing
each
item
in
as< /p>
much
detail
as
possibl
e,
our
aspirations
take
on
new
substance.
What
was p>
once
a
mere
wish
becomes
real
and
achievable
< p>whenput
into
words.
As< /p>
you
pour
the
contents< /p>
of
your
heart
and
so ul
into
your
list,
your
well-
defined
ambitions
become
a
part
of
you,
< p>andthe
universe
responds
< p>to
your
new
determination< /p>
by
placing
opportunities
r elated
to
your
objectives
in
your
path.
Whatever
p>
the
nature
of
your
de sires,
your
list
can
help< /p>
you
channel
your
intel lectual
and
emotional
power
< p>intoyour
efforts
to
rea lize
them.
The
list
yo u
create
should
not
simply
be
a
record
of
your
individual
goals.
Rather, p>
it
should
be
a
compre hensive,
exhaustive
catalog
of p>
each
target
you
want
to
reach
and
your
reas ons
for
aiming
for
them. p>
This
may
mean
that
< p>yourlist
will
encompass
many
pages
of
text,
since
when
you
write
down p>
and
review
your
ambitions,< /p>
you
empower
yourself
t o
more
accurately
direct
y our
goal-realization
efforts.
Yo u
then
also
have
a
framework
in
place
that
helps
you
distinguish
success p>
from
setbacks.
If
you p>
keep
your
list
in
a p>
convenient
spot
and
review< /p>
it
daily,
you
will
inadvertently
reaffirm
your
c onviction
to
your
aspiration
s,
demonstrating
to
the
un iverse
that
you
are
truly< /p>
devoted
to
your
chosen
path
while
keeping
your p>
objectives
fresh
in
your
mind.
If
you
have
an
altar,
this
would
be
a
great
place
to
keep< /p>
your
list.
As
you
< p>composeyour
list,
try
n ot
to
edit
or
judge
what
you
have
written.
Some
of
what
you
want
may
seem
outlandish
when
< p>considered
in
the
context< /p>
of
your
current
circumstan ces.
Whether
you
are
d estined
to
fulfill
the
ite ms
on
the
unique
long-term
agenda
you
create
in< /p>
a
year,
10
years,
or
20
years,
if
you
ar e
free
with
your
ideas
and
understand
that
you p>
may
not
bring
these
d reams
into
the
realm
of
reality
for
some
time, p>
your
list
will
attract
< p>theuniverse’s
benevolence
even
as
it
energizes
and< /p>
inspires
you.
525.
Pos itivity
Revisited
Keeping
a< /p>
Diary
with
Purpose
A
p>
diary
can
play
many
r oles.
It
can
be
a
co nfidant,
a
vehicle
of
self
expression,
a
tool
that p>
facilitates
clarity
of
thought,
or
a
repository
o f
dreams.
A
diary
can
< p>alsobe
a
powerful
s
ource
of
comfort
during
ch allenging
or
traumatic
periods.< /p>
When
you
record
those
< p>insights
and
incidents
tha t
clearly
demonstrate
you
are
on
the
right
track,
you
can
return
to
your
words
days,
weeks,
or
months
later
and
find
uniquely
soothing
reassurance.
< p>A
diary
with
a
speci fic
purpose
can
be
a
good
tool
for
keeping
tra ck
of
experiences
before
< br>the
passage
of
time
can
skew
your
perception
of p>
events.
It
reflects
the
immediacy
of
your
life
and
thus
provides
you
with
a
landmark
to
return< /p>
to
when
you
begin
to
doubt
yourself.
If
do ubt
does
arise,
simply
ope n
your
diary
to
reaffirm p>
your
experiences.
The
confi dence,
surety,
passion,
and< /p>
bravery
you
felt
in
a
single
moment
is
preserv ed,
giving
you
a
means
to
recapture
those
feelin gs
in
any
place,
at
any
time.
Your
diary
s erves
as
a
repository
of p>
personalized
encouragement.
Since
a
diary
is,
by
its< /p>
very
nature,
as
indivi dual
as
you
are,
you
should
give
some
thought
to
the
type
of
diary
that
will
serve
you
b est.
A
synchronicity-and-connections p>
diary
might
describe
those< /p>
instances
where
seemingly
random
occurrences
came
toge ther
in
a
meaningful
way,< /p>
propelling
you
forward.
< p>Oryou
may
find
strength
in
the
pages
of
a p>
pride
diary
that
makes
< p>note
not
only
of
tho se
times
you
felt
proud
of
yourself
but
also
p recisely
why
you
were
pleased
with
your
efforts.
And
a
cause-and-effect
diary
can
help
you
become
mo re
decisive
by
reminding
you
of
all
the
wise,
life-affirming
choices
you
h ave
made.
Your
diary
s hould
be
small
enough
to p>
be
readily
portable
and
on
hand
whenever
possible
because
the
faster
you
put
your
thoughts
down
on
paper,
the
more
authen tic
your
declarations
are
apt
to
be.
Regardless
of
the
type
of
focused
diary
you
choose
to
keep,
your
recollections
will p>
create
a
positive
feedb ack
loop
that
helps
you
cope
with
doubt
in
a p>
constructive
way.
Reading
< br>through
your
diary
when
life
seems
uncertain
can
show
you
that
your
misgivi ngs
are
unfounded.
As
you
draw
consolation
from
your
uplifting
words,
you
will
know
without
a
do
ubt
that
you
are
indeed
living
your
purpose
and
< p>followingthe
path
that
you
committed
to
before
< p>birth.
526.
Choose
Your
Words
Failure
The
wo rd
failure
puts
forward
a< /p>
very
simplistic
way
of
thinking
that
allows
for
< p>onlytwo
possibilities:
fa ilure
or
success.
Few
thin gs
in
the
universe
are
black
and
white,
yet
mu ch
of
our
language
rea ds
as
if
they
are.
T he
word
failure
signifies
a
paradigm
in
which
all
subtlety
is
lost.
When p>
we
regard
something
we
< p>havedone,
or
ourselves,
as
a
failure,
we
lose
our
ability
to
see
the
truth,
which
is
no
doubt
considerably
more
compl ex.
In
addition,
we
hu rt
ourselves.
All
you
have
to
do
is
speak
or p>
read
the
word
failure
and
see
how
it
makes< /p>
you
feel.
At
some
< p>point,the
word
may
not< /p>
have
been
so
loaded
with
the
weight
of
negativ ity,
and
it
simply
ref erred
to
something
that
di d
not
go
according
to
< p>plan.Unfortunately,
in
our
culture
it
is
often
< p>usedvery
negatively,
such
as
when
a
person
is
labeled
a
failure,
even
though
it
is
impossible
for
something
as
vast
a nd
subtle
as
a
human
being
to
be
reduced
i
n
such
a
way.
It
als o
acts
as
a
deterrent,
scaring
us
from
taking
risks
for
fear
of
failure.
It
has
somehow
come p>
to
represent
the
worst
< p>possibleoutcome.
Failure
is p>
a
word
so
burdened
fearful
and
unconscious p>
energy
that
we
can
al l
benefit
from
consciously
examining
our
use
of
it,
because
the
language
w e
use
influences
the
way p>
we
think
and
feel.
Next
time
you
feel
l ike
a
failure
or
fear
< p>failure,know
that
you
a re
under
the
influence
of< /p>
an
outmoded
way
of
perceiving
the
world.
When
the
world
failure
comes
< p>up,it’s
a
call
for<
/p>
us
to
apply
a
more p>
enlightened
consciousness
to
< p>thematter
at
hand.
When
you
are
consciously
a ware
of
the
word
and
its
baggage
you
will
not< /p>
fall
victim
to
its
d arkness.
In
your
own
u se
of
language,
you
may
choose
to
stop
using
t he
word
failure
altogether.
< p>This
might
encourage
you p>
to
articulate
more
clearly< /p>
the
truth
of
the
sit uation,
opening
your
mind
to
subtleties
and
possibilit ies
the
word
failure
would
never
have
allowed.
5
27.
Working
from
Center
In
the
Thick
of
It
When
we
are
the
< p>thickof
it,
overwhelmed
by
too
many
things
that p>
need
our
attention,
it’
s
important
to
remember
th at
we
are
never
given
< p>morethan
we
can
handle.
When
life’s
challenges
us
question
this,
o ur
best
coping
mechanism
i s
to
follow
the
reliable p>
and
well-known
course
t o
our
calm
center
and
< p>anchorourselves
there.
It
is
for
these
times
that
we
have
been
practici ng
regularly,
so
that
our< /p>
mind,
body,
and
spirit
will
know
how
to
fi
nd
the
peace
within.
Even< /p>
in
the
midst
of
seem ing
chaos,
a
deep
breath p>
can
help
us
turn
within
to
find
the
space p>
to
work
from,
the
cal m
at
the
center
of
t he
storm.
Tapping
into
our
inner
resources
we
be gin
again,
bringing
our
fo cus
to
the
needs
of
the
present
moment.
Asking p>
shifts
our
energy
aw ay
from
the
task
at
hand.
We
can
seek
answ ers
to
those
questions
onc e
we
get
to
the
othe r
side
of
the
present
< p>challenge.
For
now,
we
accept
what
is.
Once
we
have
collected
scattered
energy
and
created
space,
inspiration
will
strike,
hel p
will
arrive,
and
what
seemed
impossible
will
eithe r
become
possible
or
w e
will
find
it
has
b ecome
unnecessary.
The
flow
< p>ofthe
universe
and
its< /p>
perfect
order
has
room
to
move
in
our
live s
when
we
get
ourselves
and
our
extraneous
thoug
hts
out
of
the
way.
After
the
thick
has
be come
thin
again,
we
have p>
the
opportunity
to
learn
from
the
situation
with<
/p>
a
better
idea
of
our
true
capabilities.
We
can
now
ask
ourselves
the
questions
with
the
goal
of
fine-tuning
our
l ives.
Perhaps
we
have
take n
on
more
than
is
ou rs
to
do
or
made
commitments
out
of
obligation p>
rather
than
insight.
It
could
just
be
the
ebb p>
and
flow
and
life,
< p>orwe
may
be
receiving p>
life
lessons
on
a
fas t
track
in
preparation
for
something
wonderful
to
< p>come.But
when
we
have p>
a
chance
to
make
new< /p>
choices,
we
know
the p>
best
ones
are
made
wh en
we
work
from
center.
528.
Summon
Your
Alivene ss
Being
Fully
Present
When
we
are
fully
pre sent,
we
offer
our
whole p>
selves
to
whatever
it
is
that
we
are
doing.
Our
attention,
our
integr ity,
and
our
energy
are
all
focused
in
the
mom ent
and
on
the
task
at
hand.
This
is
a
powerful
experience,
and
when
we
are
in
this
stat e,
we
feel
completely
alive
and
invigorated.
This
< p>kindof
aliveness
comes
easily
when
we
are
absorbe d
in
work
or
play
< p>thatwe
love,
but
it
is
available
to
us
in p>
every
moment,
and
we
can
learn
to
summon
it
regardless
of
what
we
are
doing.
Even
tasks
o r
jobs
we
don’t
enjoy
< p>can
become
infused
with
the
light
of
being
pre sent.
The
more
present
we< /p>
are,
the
more
meaningf
ul
our
entire
lives
become .
Next
time
you
find p>
yourself
fully
engaged
in p>
the
moment,
whether
you
are
**
art,
trying
to
solve
an
interesting
pu zzle,
or
talking
to
your p>
best
friend,
you
may
want
to
take
a
moment<
/p>
to
notice
how
you
fe el.
You
may
observe
that p>
you
are
not
thinking
about
what
you
need
to
do
next,
your
body
feels
like
it’s
pleasantly
humming,
or
your
brain
fe els
tingly.
As
you
enj oy
the
feeling
of
being
located
entirely
in
the
< p>presentmoment,
you
can
inform
yourself
that
you
may
try
to
recall
this< /p>
feeling
later.
You
might p>
try
this
while
driving<
/p>
home
or
getting
ready
< p>forbed,
allowing
yourself
to
be
just
as
engaged p>
in
that
experience
as p>
you
were
in
the
earli er
one.
The
more
we
draw
ourselves
into
the
< p>presentmoment,
the
more
we
honor
the
gift
of
< p>our
lives,
and
the
m ore
we
honor
the
people
around
us.
When
we
are
fully
present,
we
give
and
receive
aliveness
in
equal
measure.
For
today,
try
to
be
fully
pre sent
in
your
daily
act
ivities
and
watch
a
new
reality
open
for
you.
529.
A
Softer
Touch
Apply
Gentleness
to
Everything
Throughout
life
we
mu st
cope
with
blockages
tha t
impede
our
forward
momen tum.
Whether
these
obstacles
are
of
a
personal,
professional,
or
societal
nature ,
our
first
instinct
m ay
be
to
push
against
< p>theobstruction.
But
the
simplest
way
to
alleviate
resistance
is
to
approach p>
it
gently,
with
a
sof t
manner
and
kind
intentio ns.
Struggle
and
strife
find
no
foothold
whe n
confronted
with
mildness
because
conflict
can
only
exist
when
fed
by
two
opposing
forces.
So
many< /p>
areas
of
our
lives
c an
benefit
from
the
ap
plication
of
gentleness.
The
beauty
of
gentleness
lies
in
its
multifaceted
nature. p>
It
is
part
love,
part
compassion,
part
patience,< /p>
part
understanding,
and
pa rt
respect
for
others.
When
we
move
through
life
gently
as
a
matter
of
course,
we
naturally
at tract
these
wonderful
elemen ts
into
our
lives.
Thi
s
does
not
mean
that
gentle
people
are
by
natu re
passive
or
meek.
Rather ,
their
copious
inner
power
is
manifested
in
the ir
gentleness
and
their
ch oice
to
move
with
the
< p>flow
of
the
universe
instead
of
against
it.
Yo u
can
make
use
of
ge ntleness
in
your
own
l
ife
by
applying
it
in
< p>situationswhere
you
feel
< p>challengedby
your
circumstanc es
or
by
people
in
your
environment.
As
you
< p>moveforward
gently,
the
energy
pervading
your
life
< p>will
likely
shift
and,
consequently,
the
blockages
b efore
you
will
vanish.
Coo peration
progresses
smoothly
when
approached
gently
because< /p>
all
parties
involved
feel< /p>
confident
that
their
n eeds
will
be
met.
And
< p>quarrelsare
easily
quelled
with
gentleness
because
the< /p>
dualistic
concepts
of
losing
and
winning
are
mad e
moot
by
our
willingness< /p>
to
exercise
infinite
p atience
with
those
whose
v alues
differ
from
our
own.
Gentleness
must
be
pr acticed,
as
we
are
inadver tently
encouraged
to
act
c ompetitive
in
certain
phases
of
our
lives.
At
fi rst,
your
established
habits
may
make
being
truly
ge ntle
challenging.
Yet
after< /p>
a
time,
if
you
commi t
to
consciously
applying
gentleness
to
all
areas
your
life,
whether
by
collaborating
rather
than
competing
or
yielding
graciousl y
to
the
impassable
ro adblocks
in
your
path
in p>
order
to
seek
a
new p>
road,
you
will
find
t hat
you
begin
to
act p>
gently
habitually.
Your
pat terns
of
thought
and
behav ior
become
ever
more
p eaceful,
and
you
will
disc over
that
you
encounter
fa r
less
impassable
resistance
on
your
individual
journe y.
530.
Living
Streets
The
Energy
of
Cities
The
cities
we
reside
i n
have
souls.
Our
cities p>
consume,
create,
evolve,
an d
breathe
much
in
the< /p>
same
way
Mother
Nature
does.
Each
city
is
uniq ue,
defined
not
only
by
the
individuals
who
call
it
home
but
also
by
the
energy
it
exudes.
Some
cities
are
suffused
< p>by
an
aura
of
unshak able
calm
while
others
see m
continually
frenetic,
even
during
the
early
morning<
/p>
hours.
Many
inspire
creati vity
within
us
or
arouse p>
our
curiosity.
A
city’s
energy
is
dependent
on
many
factors,
including
the< /p>
geography,
the
people,
the
industry,
and
the
cul
ture.
Residing
in
a
city p>
full
of
warehouses
and
< p>factoriesfeels
very
different
than
one
living
in
one
populated
by
artists
and
museums.
Some
cities
< p>elevatethe
soul
while
o thers
seem
to
squash
i t,
and
fate
may
lead
us
to
either.
If
the< /p>
urban
center
you
presently
call
home
feels
oppressiv e
or
robs
you
of
you r
vitality,
consider
relocat ing
to
a
locale
that
is
more
nurturing.
You
ma y
find
that
leaving
your p>
city
is
an
impossibilit y,
however,
if
circumstances
in
your
life
compel
you
to
remain
or
the
universe
has
plans
for
y ou
that
involve
your
stayi ng
put.
To
cope
with
the
stress
of
working
and
playing
in
an
environ ment
you
have
an
aversion< /p>
to,
first
ask
yourself
how
the
city
you
li ve
in
makes
you
feel.
< p>Thentake
steps
to
clean se
your
home,
your
work
spaces,
and
your
life
of
the
energy
that
is< /p>
dragging
you
down.
Try
smudging
your
personal
an d
professional
spaces
with
sage
or
sweetgrass
to
dis pel
negativity.
Keeping
a
quartz
crystal
on
or
n ear
your
person
can
ensure
that
there
is
always
< p>positive,loving
energy
ne arby
that
you
can
draw
from
when
you
feel
affe cted
by
your
city.
And
you
can
do
your
par t
to
promote
widespread
go od
energy
by
sending
love< /p>
and
white
light
from
your
heart
out
into
t he
city
each
morning
and p>
night.
As
you
become
increasingly
aware
of
the
way
your
city
makes
yo u
feel,
you
can
refine
your
cleansing
efforts
to
meet
your
individual
need s.
If
you
seek
out
o thers
who
feel
driven
to
purify
your
city’s
ener gy
flow,
your
combined
eff orts
can
become
a
larger p>
movement
that
promotes
healing
and
goodwill.
You
may
find
that,
after
a
time,
you
are
gradually
p>
drawn
to
those
aspects
< p>ofyour
locale
that
ener gize
you,
helping
you
come
back
into
balance.
531.
Intuition
Made
Visible
Pendulum
Motion
Using
pendulum
is
a
simple p>
way
to
clarify
messages
from
intuition
or
inspiration .
With
its
minimal
con struction
of
a
weight,
or< /p>
bob,
allowed
to
swing
< p>freelyfrom
a
piece
of p>
cord
or
chain,
it
gives
us
a
visual
underst anding
of
the
subtle
energ ies
that
influence
us.
Whe n
we
ask
a
question
using
the
pendulum,
we
may
receive
answers
from
our
own
intuition
or
f
rom
our
spirit
guides
or p>
angels.
The
process,
known< /p>
as
or
is
als o
useful
to
check
our< /p>
energy
centers
or
even
to
find
lost
articles.
Whether
it
is
our
energy p>
or
the
whispers
of
< p>ourguides
creating
the
motion,
the
pendulum
helps
us
better
understand
the
secret
language
of
spirit. p>
Your
pendulum
can
be
anything
that
feels
right
to
you:
a
crystal
pend ant,
wood
or
metal
orn
aments,
a
seashell,
an
ite m
with
sentimental
value,
or
even
an
acorn
on
a
string.
The
key
is p>
that
it
must
be
balan ced
so
it
can
swing
freely.
Before
and
after
e ach
session,
you
may
w ant
to
purify
your
pendulu m,
perhaps
by
using
salt p>
water
or
burning
sage
or
incense.
Focus
on
becoming
still
and
choose
who
you
would
like
to
< p>answeryour
questions,
you r
higher
self
or
your
< p>spiritguides
or
guardian
< p>angels.By
asking
questions
whose
answers
you
alread y
know
and
watching
the
corresponding
movements,
you
can
learn
what
and p>
look
like.
Your
pend ulum
may
move
forward
and< /p>
back
for
and
si de-to-side
for
or
perhaps
a
variety
of
circular
motions
will
be
your
indicators.
For
some
people, p>
movement
comes
easily
as
they
are
more
in
tune< /p>
with
working
with
ener gy,
but
do
not
give
up
if
you
do
not
get
movement
right
away.
Determining
a
neutral
state,
which
may
be
stillness
or
another
distinct
motion,
< p>canhelp
avoid
confusion p>
as
well.
Once
you
are
familiar
with
your
pendul um,
you
can
use
it
t o
check
the
energy
of< /p>
a
room,
or
use
a
pendulum
over
your
chakras
to
see
if
they
are
blocked
or
open.
When
we
make
a
practice
of
listening
to
our
spirit ual
guidance,
we
find
it p>
more
accessible
to
us p>
in
general.
The
use
o f
a
tool
like
the
pe ndulum
can
only
help
us
gain
mastery
in
this
understanding,
allowing
us
to
transform
our
lives
into< /p>
playgrounds
for
manifesting<
/p>
our
gifts
and
dreams.
< p>532.
Open
and
Listening
Respecting
Wildlife
For
better
or
worse,
much
of
the
world
we
experience
is
dominated
and
controll ed
by
human
beings.
We
spend
our
days
in
h ouses,
cars,
and
buildings,
< p>andinside
these
structure
s,
we
are
in
control.
< p>Weassert
our
wills
and< /p>
manipulate
our
environment.
< p>Within
the
context
of
< p>thehuman
world,
this
is
natural.
However,
we
ofte n
carry
this
attitude
with
us
into
the
world
of
nature.
We
forget
as
we
enter
the
forest,
< p>orsit
on
the
edge
of
a
pond,
that
we
are
moving
into
another
< p>realm,one
that
asks
us< /p>
to
drop
our
baggage
and
surrender
to
a
dif ferent
sense
of
order
and< /p>
meaning.
When
we
move< /p>
from
our
everyday
world
into
the
world
of
natu re,
we
may
not
even
notice
at
first.
We
mi ght
continue
talking
loudly
< p>intoour
cell
phone
or p>
to
a
friend
that
is p>
with
us.
We
might
walk
quickly
as
if
we
are
on
a
busy
city
< p>street,our
eyes
downcast,
our
thoughts
hectic
and p>
hurried.
In
the
best
case,
if
we
are
sensitive< /p>
to
our
environment,
we
will
soon
notice
that
it
has
changed.
We
may< /p>
hear
ducks
calling,
or
wind
moving
through
the
p>
leaves
on
a
tree.
If< /p>
we
notice
the
shift,
we
will
naturally
shift
a s
well.
If
we
don’t,
we
may
get
all
the
way
through
a
beautiful
< p>parkwithout
having
lowered
our
voices.
Next
time
you
find
yourself
in
t he
presence
of
wildlife—even
if
it’s
just
a
duck
pond
in
the
midst
o f
urban
hustle—try
to
move
into
a
receptive
state
of
openness
and
listening, p>
no
matter
how
much
< p>orhow
little
time
you p>
have.
Allow
yourself
to
be
captivated
and
calmed
< p>by
the
energy
of
the
wildlife
that
covers
this
earth.
Teaching
our
child ren
to
be
respectful
o
f
nature
and
to
stop
and
observe
is
a
gift
they
can
always
cherish
We
preserve
pockets
of
< p>naturein
our
urban
cent ers
and
large
expanses
of< /p>
nature
in
our
national
parks
because
of
the
< p>magicwe
feel
in
its
presence.
It
reminds
us
of
our
smallness
and
calls
us
back
to
a
d eeper,
quieter
part
of
our selves.
When
we
honor
natu re
by
being
respectful
in
its
presence,
we
honor
the
mystery
and
wild
< p>beautyof
our
origin.
533.
Cosmic
Support
The
Universe's
Plan
for
You
< p>The
path
that
speeds
us
toward
our
dreams
can< /p>
be
a
challenging
and
complex
one,
so
it’s
easy
to
get
bogged
down
in
confusion
and
insecuritie s.
We
often
hesitate
at
the
start
of
that
path,
questioning
our
purpose
or
our
capabilities.
Yet
we
should
be
moving
for ward
joyously,
eager
to
< p>discoverwhat
destiny
has
< p>instore
for
us.
The
universe
has
plans
for
us
that
eclipse
anything
we
have
dreamed
of
thus
far.
Though
we
must
work
diligently
to
fulfill<
/p>
our
potential
and
to
accomplish
our
individual
missi ons,
the
universe
is
aware
of
both
the
quests
we
chose
before
birth
and
the
goals
we
have
< p>formulatedin
adulthood.
If
we
accept
that
it
us
watching
over
us
and
believe
that
it
will
f acilitate
our
eventual
succe
ss,
the
universe
will
prov ide
us
with
the
assistance
and
opportunities
that
en able
us
to
make
signif icant
progress
on
our
jour neys
of
ambition.
Nothing
happens
without
a
purpose. p>
Whether
we
attract
success< /p>
or
repel
it
depends
on
our
willingness
to
stay
open
to
a
wide
range
of
possibilities
and
to
embrace
concepts
like
synchronicity.
The
universe
is
always
ready
to
care
for
our
needs,
but
we< /p>
must
not
write
off
its
loving
attention
as
mere
circumstance
or
chance.
Likewise,
we
must
endeavor p>
to
ensure
that
our
< p>egosdo
not
become
a
barrier
that
prevents
us
< p>fromrecognizing
that
even
perceived
mistakes
and
st rife
can
be
profound
lesso ns
that
smooth
the
progres s
of
personal
evolution.
When
we
understand
that
we
only
need
to
enthusias tically
try
our
best
t
o
realize
our
objectives,
the
universe
will
take
car e
of
the
details,
propelli ng
us
forward
in
its p>
unstoppable
current.
We
may
not
always
immediately
un derstand
the
significance
of
certain
experiences,
but
our
trust
will
help
us
choose
wisely
at
each
c rossroads.
The
universe
want s
to
see
you
accomplish
your
goals.
No
matter
how
long
you’ve
dallied
or
hesitated,
it
will
al ways
be
there
to
put
its
plan
for
you
in
motion
at
the
first
sign< /p>
of
your
faith.
You
can
make
the
most
of
this
aid
by
acquiescing
< p>toit
rather
than
fighti ng
it—
nurture
your
dr eams
but
do
not
attempt
to
micromanage
every
detail< /p>
along
the
way.
The
< br>universe
will
provide
you
with
guidance
and,
if
y ou
heed
that
guidance,
you
will
find
your
former ly
stressful
quest
for
suc cess
will
become
a
journey
of
great
joy.
534.
Curative
Attentiveness
Being
p>
Aware
of
Your
Thoughts
< p>Few
people
enjoy
the
company
of
individuals
whose
attitudes
are
persistently
n egative.
Yet
many
of
u s
tolerate
the
critical
ch atter
that
can
originate
w ithin
our
own
minds.
Since
we
are
so
used
to
the
stream
of
self-limi ting,
critical
consciousness
tha t
winds
its
way
throug
h
our
thoughts,
we
are
often
unaware
of
the
im pact
these
musings
have
on
our
lives.
It
is
< p>onlywhen
we
become
awar e
of
the
power
of
su ch
thoughts
that
we
can
divest
ourselves
of
them
and
fill
the
emptiness
they
leave
with
loving,
< p>peacefulaffirmations.
Many
upon
paying
careful
attention
to
their
thinking< /p>
patterns,
are
surprised
at
the
negativity
they
f ind
there.
But
when
we
take
notice
of
involuntary
thoughts
in
a
nonjudgmen
tal
way,
we
initiate
a
healing
process
that
will
eventually
allow
us
to
replace
intimidating
and
ups etting
self-talk
with
positive,< /p>
empowering
thoughts.
While
p>
the
occasional
downbeat
or< /p>
judgmental
thought
may
hav e
little
impact
on
your
contentment,
the
ongoing
negativity
that
passes
unnotice d
can
have
a
dampening
effect
on
your
mood
and
your
outlook.
When
yo u
are
aware
of
the
t one
of
your
thoughts,
however,
you
can
challenge
them.
Try
to
be
conscious
of
your
feelings,
opinion s,
and
judgments
for
a
single
day.
From
sunup
to
sundown,
scrutinize
the p>
messages
you
are
feedin
g
into
your
subconscious
m ind.
Consider
your
thoughts
< p>fromthe
perspective
of
a
detached
observer
and
< p>trynot
to
judge
yoursel f
based
on
the
notions
that
come
unbidden
into
p>
your
mind.
Simply
watch
the
flow
of
your
consci ousness
and
make
a
note
of
the
number
of
t imes
you
find
yourself
foc using
on
gloomy
notions
or
indulging
in
self-
di
rected
criticism.
As
you
become
increasingly
aware
of< /p>
your
patterns
of
thought,< /p>
whether
positive
and
n
egative,
you
will
gradually
< p>learnto
control
the
cha racter
of
your
stream
of p>
consciousness.
Endeavor
alway s
to
remember
that
the
images
and
ideas
that
p ass
through
your
mind
are
transient
and
not
a
true
representation
of
who p>
you
are.
In
training
yourself
to
be
cognizant
of
your
thoughts,
you
g ain
the
ability
to
activel y
modulate
your
mood.
The
awareness
you
cultivate
< p>withinyourself
will
eventuall y
enable
you
to
create
a
foundation
of
positivit y
from
which
you
can
build
a
more
authentic
ex istence.
535.
Making
Life
Yours
Perception
There
is
no
secret
recipe
for
happiness
and
contentment.
< p>The
individuals
who
move p>
through
life
joyously
have< /p>
not
necessarily
been
b
lessed
with
lives
of
abund ance,
love,
success,
and
p rosperity.
Such
people
have,
however,
been
blessed
wit h
the
ability
to
take
< p>the
circumstances
they’ve
been
handed
and
make
them< /p>
into
something
great.
Our
individual
realities
are
colored
by
perception—delight
and
despair
come
from
within
rather
than
without.
Situations
we
regard
as
fortuitous
please
us
while< /p>
situations
we
judge
inausp icious
cause
us
no
end
of
grief.
Yet
if
we
can
look
at
all
we< /p>
have
accomplished
without
dwelling
on
our
perceived
misfortune
and
make
each
new
circumstance
our
own,
the
world
as
a
whol e
becomes
a
brighter
place .
A
simple
shift
in
attitude
can
help
us
r ecognize
and
unearth
the
h idden
potential
for
personal
and
outer
world
fulfillme nt
in
every
event,
every p>
relationship,
every
duty,
and
every
setback.
The
universe
is
often
an
u npredictable
and
chaotic
place,< /p>
and
the
human
tendency
is
to
focus
on
the< /p>
negative
and
assume
the
positive
will
care
for p>
itself.
But
life
can
be
no
more
or
no
les s
than
what
you
make
p>
of
it.
If
you
are
working
in
a
job
you
dislike,
you
can
concentrate
on
the
positive
aspec ts
of
the
position
and
approach
your
work
with
gusto.
What
can
you
d o
with
this
job
that
can
turn
it
around
so
you
do
love
it.
Whe n
faced
with
the
prospect< /p>
of
undertaking
a
task
< p>youfear,
you
can
vi ew
it
as
an
opportunity
to
discover
what
you
a re
truly
capable
of
do ing.
Similarly,
unexpected
event s,
when
viewed
as
surp
rises,
can
add
flavor
to p>
your
existence.
By
choosing
to
love
life
no
matter
what
crosses
your
path,
you
can
create
an
atmosphere
of
jubilance
that
is
wonderfully
infectious.< /p>
A
change
in
perspective
is
all
it
takes
to
change
your
world,
but
you
must
be
willing
to
adopt
an
optimistic,
hopeful
mind-set.
To
make
a
conscious
decision
to
< p>behappy
is
not
enough.< /p>
You
must
learn
to
< p>observelife’s
complexities
th rough
the
eyes
of
a
child
seeing
everything
for< /p>
the
first
time.
You
must
furthermore
divest
yourself
of
preconceived
notions
of
what
is
good
and
what
is
bad
so
that
you
can
appreciate
the
rich
insights
concealed
in p>
each
stage
of
your
li fe’s
journey.
And
you
must
strive
to
discover
th e
dual
joys
of
wanting
what
you
have.
As
y ou
gradually
shift
your
pe rspective,
your
existence
will p>
be
imbued
with
happines s
and
contentment
that
wil l
remain
with
you
fore
ver.
536.
Spreading
Your
Light
How
You
Affect
< p>OthersDaily
As
the
pace
and
fullness
of
moder n
life
serve
to
isolate
us
from
one
another,
t he
contact
we
do
share
becomes
vastly
more
signi ficant.
We
unconsciously
absorb< /p>
each
other’s
energy,
a dopting
the
temperament
of
those
with
whom
we
share< /p>
close
quarters,
and
find p>
ourselves
changed
after
the
briefest
encounters.
Everyt hing
we
do
or
say
ha s
the
potential
to
aff ect
not
only
the
individua ls
we
live,
work,
and
< p>playwith
but
also
those
we’ve
just
met.
Thoug h
we
may
never
know
the
impact
we
have
had
or
the
scope
of
our
influence,
accepting
and
understanding
that
our
attitudes
and
choices
will
affect p>
others
can
help
us
remember
to
conduct
ourselves< /p>
with
grace
at
all
ti mes.
When
we
seek
always p>
to
be
friendly,
helpful ,
and
responsive,
we
effor tlessly
create
an
atmosphere
around
ourselves
that
is< /p>
both
uplifting
and
inspiri ng.
Most
people
rarely
give
thought
to
the
effec t
they
have
had
or
w ill
have
on
others.
When p>
we
take
a
few
mom ents
to
contemplate
how
ou r
individual
modes
of
bein g
affect
the
people
we
spend
time
with
each
< p>day,we
come
one
step
closer
to
seeing
ourselves p>
through
the
eyes
of
others.
By
asking
ourselves p>
whether
those
we
encounter< /p>
walk
away
feeling
appr
eciated,
respected,
and
liked, p>
we
can
heighten
our
a wareness
of
the
effect
we< /p>
ultimately
have.
Something p>
as
simple
as
a
smile< /p>
given
freely
can
temporari ly
brighten
a
person’s
entire
world.
Our
value-driven< /p>
conduct
may
inspire
others
to
consider
whether
t
heir
own
lives
are
reflect ive
of
their
values.
A
word
of
advice
can
help
others
see
life
in
an
entirely
new
fashion.
And
small
gestures
of
k indness
can
even
prove
to< /p>
those
embittered
by
th e
world
that
goodness
stil l
exists.
By
simply
being< /p>
ourselves,
we
influence
lives
in
both
su btle
and
life-altering
ways.
To
ensure
that
the
effect
we
have
is
positive ,
we
must
strive
to
stay
true
to
ourselves
while
realizing
that
it
i s
the
demeanor
we
project< /p>
and
not
the
quality
of
our
wondrous
inner
landscapes
that
people
see.
< p>Thus,as
we
interact
wit h
others,
how
we
behave
can
be
as
important
< p>aswho
we
are.
If
we
project
our
passion
for
life,
our
warmth,
and
our
tolerance
in
our
< p>facialfeatures,
voice,
and
choice
of
words,
every
person
who
enters
our
circle
of
influence
will
leave
our
presence
feeling
at
peace
with
themselves
and
with
us.
You
never
know
whose
life
you
are
affecting,
big
or
sma ll.
Try
to
remember
this p>
as
you
go
out
int o
the
world
each
day.
< p>537.
Finding
Joy
in
Life's
Surprises
Releasing
Y our
Expectations
As
we
endeavor
to
find
personal
fulfillment
and
realize
our
individual
ideals,
we
nat
urally
form
emotional
attachment s
to
those
outcomes
we
hope
will
come
to
pass.
These
expectations
can
< p>serveas
a
source
of
stability,
allowing
us
to
draft
plans
based
on
our
visions
of
the
futur e,
but
they
can
also
limit
our
potential
for
h appiness
by
blinding
us
to
equally
satisfying
yet
< p>unexpectedoutcomes.
Instead
o f
taking
pleasure
in
the p>
surprising
circumstances
unfo lding
around
us,
we
mourn< /p>
for
the
anticipation
left< /p>
unfulfilled.
When
we
t hink
of
letting
go
of
< p>ourexpectations,
we
may
find
ourselves
at
the
mercy
of
a
small
inner
voice
that
admonishes
us
to
strive
for
specific
goals,
even
if
they
co
ntinually
elude
us.
However,
the
opposite
of
expectation p>
is
not
pessimism.
We
can
retain
our
optimism
< p>andfree
ourselves
from
the
need
to
focus
on
specific
probabilities
by
o
pening
our
hearts
and
mind s
to
a
wide
variety
of
possible
outcomes.
When
p>
we
expect
a
situation,
< p>event,or
confrontation
to
unfold
in
a
certain
way ,
it
becomes
more
diff icult
to
enjoy
the
surpris es
that
have
the
potential
to
become
profound
blessi ngs.
Likewise,
we
may
feel
that
we
failed
to
meet
our
inner
objectives
because
we
were
unable
to
bring
about
the
des ired
results
through
our
c hoices
and
actions.
Consider,
though,
that
we
are
< p>allat
the
mercy
of
< p>theuniversal
flow,
and
our
best
intentions
are
often
thwarted
by
fate.
As
you
grow
increasingly
o pen
to
unforeseen
outcomes,
< p>youwill
be
more
apt
to
look
for
and
rec ognize
the
positive
elements
of
your
new
circumstances.
This
receptivity
to
the< /p>
unexpected
can
serve
you p>
well
when
you
are
cal led
upon
to
compromise
with
others,
your
life
pl ans
seem
to
go
awry,
or
the
world
moves
forwar d
in
an
unanticipated
manner
by
granting
you
the
flexibility
to
see
the
positive
aspects
of
almo
st
any
outcome.
The
fu rther
you
distance
yourself
< p>fromyour
expectations,
the
more
exhilarating
your
life< /p>
will
become.
Though
a< /p>
situation
in
which
you
find
yourself
may
not
c orrespond
to
your
initial
wants,
needs,
or
goals,
< p>askyourself
how
you
can
make
the
most
of
it
and
then
do
your
to
adapt.
Your
life ’s
journey
will
likely
tak e
many
unpredicted
and
ast onishing
twists
because
you< /p>
are
willing
to
release
your
expectations.
538.
T he
Understanding
Underneath
Experiences
With
Multiple
Meanin gs
Though
we
humans
ar e
self-aware,
we
nonetheless
cannot
distance
ourselves
fro m
the
world
around
us< /p>
and
have
a
natural
t endency
to
ascribe
meaning
to
all
that
we
experience .
The
significance
we
perceive
in
our
experiences
< p>isrooted
in
our
observa tion
of
patterns
as
th ey
relate
to
ourselves.
On e
situation
has
the
power< /p>
to
teach
us
about
li fe
because
it
exposes
us
to
something
unfamiliar.
< p>Anothertouches
our
emotions p>
deeply
by
enabling
us
to
see
how
fortunate
we
are.
Yet
our
initial
impressions
of
an
experience
may
not
wholly
reveal
the
true
significance
of< /p>
that
occurrence
because
ou r
full
response
to
an
< p>experience
is
like
an
< p>onionwith
many
layers
t hat
all
have
disparate
mea nings.
Consider
that
a
sun rise
may
stun
us
visua lly
while
simultaneously
evoking
memories
of
childhood
and
reminding
us
that
eac h
new
day
is
a
rebir th.
If
you
take
the
time
to
examine
your
e xperiences
closely,
you
will
discover
that
your
origin
al
impressions
may
only
be
a
part
of
a
larger< /p>
story
of
significance.
Pee ling
away
the
layers
o f
an
event
or
incident
can
be
a
fun
and
interesting
process
if
you
allow
it.
To
begin,
r elive
your
experience
in
y our
mind’s
eye
and
from
multiple
perspectives
if
possible.
Your
interpretation
o f
any
situation
is
based p>
not
only
on
facts
but
also
on
feelings,
bel iefs,
and
your
values.
As< /p>
you
ruminate
upon
your
experience,
spend
a
few
moments
contemplating
how
y ou
felt
when
it
began
< p>andhow
your
feelings
ha d
changed
by
its
end.< /p>
Ask
yourself
what
abstract ions,
if
any,
it
awakened< /p>
in
your
mind.
If
an< /p>
experience
stirs
up
qu estions
within
your
soul,
it
may
be
that
in
st riving
to
answer
them
a
new
layer
of
meaning
may
reveal
itself
to
yo u.
The
significance
of
an
experience
may
remain
hidden
to
you
for
some
time.
The
meaning
of
event
can
change
when
viewed
from
another
conte xt
or
may
only
become
< p>apparent
after
intense
med itation.
An
incident
that
seemed
superficial
may
unexpecte dly
touch
us
deeply
la ter
in
our
lives.
If
you
take
a
truly
open-min ded
approach
to
your
exami nation
of
each
new
lev el
and
do
not
shy
aw ay
from
revelations
that
c ould
prove
painful,
you
wi ll
learn
much
about
yo ur
relationship
to
the
wor ld
around
you.
And
the
refined
impression
you
gl ean
from
your
experiences
after
contemplating
their
signif icance
can
add
a
new
richness
and
texture
to
your
life.
539.
Mapping p>
the
Inner
Journey
Journ
aling
as
Meditation
Of
the
countless
forms
of
me ditation
we
can
use,
journ aling
offers
its
own
uniqu e
benefits.
Most
meditations
help
empty
the
mind
of
concerns
and
bring
pos itive
ideas
from
our
m ental
landscape,
but
journaling< /p>
helps
us
anchor
that
experience
in
the
material
< p>world.
Not
every
person
is
attracted
to
meditating p>
in
seated
silence,
and
< p>journal
meditation
is
a
nice
alternative
as
an
active
meditation.
It
allows
us
to
trace
our
journe y
and
see
where
we
have
grown
and
what
les sons
we
may
be
repeating.< /p>
By
employing
a
differe
nt
part
of
the
brain
than
creative
or
inspired
thought,
writing
or
typing
< p>ajournal
can
create
a
greater
sense
of
connec tion
and
union
with
our
physical
selves
and
the
< p>world
around
us.
In
working
through
challenges,
it
can
be
helpful
to
first
empty
all
worries
f rom
our
heads
onto
the
safe
pages
of
our
j ournal.
Fears
can
be
broug ht
to
light
rather
than
allowing
them
to
haunt p>
the
dark
corners
of
o ur
subconscious.
We
may
ev en
feel
heaviness
dissipate
< p>once
our
heads
are
f ree
from
clutter,
leaving
space
for
inspiration
and
the
creation
of
positive
< br>images
in
their
place.
Often
in
the
process
of
writing
out
all
the
de tails
of
an
event
that
troubles
us,
something
th at
had
been
forgotten
will
come
to
the
surface,
< p>providinga
missing
piece< /p>
of
the
puzzle.
Then
we
can
truly
begin
to
< p>comeup
with
answers,
an d
write
them
down
besi de
the
worries
to
map
< p>theway
from
concern
to< /p>
constructive
thought.
For
capturing
guidance
and
flash es
of
inspiration,
journaling
is
ideal.
This
is
espe cially
true
in
the
cas e
of
dreams,
which
often p>
fade
as
we
awaken.
Wh ile
working
toward
goals,
keeping
track
of
progress
as
well
as
guidance
fr om
readings
or
divination
tools
can
be
encouraging.
Though
it
can
be
diffi cult
to
keep
all
of
our
guidance
in
the
front< /p>
of
our
minds,
if
we
write
it
down
it
can
serve
as
a
reminder p>
whenever
we
need
it.
We
can
also
use
our
journals
to
converse
with
our
higher
selves
or
e ven
the
universe.
Journaling
offers
yet
another
way
to
unburden
mind
and
s pirit,
while
also
creating
a
record
of
the
present p>
and
preserving
our
hope s
and
dreams
for
the
future.
540.
Softening
Judg ment
Moving
Beyond
Appearanc es
It
is
our
natural p>
inclination
to
judge
people ,
since
it
happens
without
our
even
thinking
abo
ut
it.
We
take
one
l ook
and
summarize
a
whole< /p>
person—overweight,
pretty,
styli sh,
sloppy.
This
habit
comes
from
the
mind’s
nee d
to
categorize
the
world< /p>
in
order
to
be
able< /p>
to
function
without
be coming
overwhelmed.
When
we
< p>judge,we
are
looking
fo r
pertinent
information,
try ing
to
determine
whether
t he
person
approaching
is
a
threat,
an
ally,
or
someone
we
don’t
need
to
worry
about.
This
way< /p>
of
looking
at
people
makes
sense
in
a
dang
erous
context,
but
in
our< /p>
daily
lives
it
leads
to
an
overly
simplistic
r eading
of
the
people
w e
meet.
If
you
have
ever
judged
someone
dismissi vely,
only
to
have
them
become
a
dear
friend
< br>once
you
got
to
know
them,
you
know
the
haz ards
of
the
judgment
cycle
firsthand.
An
experience
like
that
may
have
led
you
to
soften
your
natural
tendency
to
believe
< p>yourfirst
impressions.
We
will
always
notice
things
about
the
people
we
meet,
but
as
we
become
more
conscious
of
the
shortcomings
of
judgment,
we
won’t
be
satisfied
with p>
our
surface
observations.
We
may
notice
that
some one
is
driving
an
expensiv e
car,
but
we
will
d ecide
whether
to
befriend
her
based
on
getting
t o
know
her
over
time.
< p>Wewill
not
rule
out
a
friendship
with
someone
with
messy
hair,
especial ly
if
he
turns
out
t o
have
a
great
sense
of
humor
and
a
kind p>
heart.
Liking
or
disliking< /p>
a
person
is
a
choice
you
will
naturally
ma
ke,
but
it
will
be
a fter
you
have
gotten
to
know
them.
Next
time
you
notice
yourself
judging p>
somebody,
try
to
send
love,
light,
or
blessings
to
the
person
you
wer e
judging.
Then
try
to
listen
to
them
openly
o r
look
them
in
the
e ye
and
learn
something
about
them.
If
this
is
not
easy
for
you,
reme mber
not
to
judge
your
self
either.
Trust
that
wi th
practice,
you
will
succ essfully
disable
your
habitual p>
patterns.
As
you
do,
you
will
find
a
whole< /p>
new
dimension
of
perceptio n
opening
up
to
you,
p>
allowing
you
to
see
b eyond
the
surface
and
into
the
essence
of
the
people
you
meet.
541.
Let
Go
and
Let
Flow
Taking
a
Leap
of
Faith
Many
people,
in
heedi ng
the
guidance
of
their p>
souls,
find
themselves
cont emplating
goals
that
seem
outrageous
or
unattainable.
In
the
mind’s
eye,
these p>
individuals
stand
at
the
edge
of
a
precipice
< p>andlook
out
over
the
abyss
at
the
fruit
of< /p>
their
ambition.
Some
resis t
the
urge
to
jump,
paralyzed
by
the
gap
b etween
their
current
circumstanc es
and
the
life
of
< br>their
dreams.
Others
make
a
leap
of
faith
into
the
unknown,
unsure
of
what
they
will
encounter
but
certain
that
they
will
gain
more
in
their
attempts
than
they
would
bowing
to
self-protective
instincts.
This
leap
can
be
exceedingly
difficult
for
individuals
with
control
issues
because
the
act
of< /p>
embracing
uncertainty
requires p>
them
to
trust
that
surrender
will
net
them
the
rewards
they
seek.
Yet
when
you
make
a
lea p
of
faith,
believing
without
a
doubt
that
you p>
will
land
safely
on
t he
other
side,
you
can
accomplish
almost
anything
< p>youset
out
to
do.
There
have
no
doubt
b een
times
in
your
life
when
you
chose
to
go
where
the
universal
flow
took
you.
Yet
you
m ay
encounter
instances
in
which
your
objectives
require
you
to
step
outside
< p>ofthe
boundaries
of
you r
established
comfort
zone
so
that
you
may
freely
and
actively
jettison
yo urself
into
a
new
phase
of
your
life.
While
yo u
may
fear
what
seems<
/p>
to
be
the
inevitable
fall,
consider
that
in
al l
likelihood
you
will
find
yourself
flying.
A
su ccessful
leap
of
faith
req uires
your
attention,
as
i t
is
the
quiet
and
o ften
indistinct
voice
of
your
inner
self
that
wi ll
point
you
toward
your p>
ultimate
destination.
Understand< /p>
that
the
leap
across p>
the
chasm
of
ambiguity
< p>maychallenge
you
in
unf oreseen
ways
but
you
w ill
make
it
across
if
< p>youtrust
yourself.
If
your
mind
and
heart
res ist,
you
can
dampen
this p>
resistance
by
building
a
bridge
of
knowledge.
The
more
you
know
about
the
leap
you
are
poised p>
to
take,
the
smaller
the
gap
between
and p>
will
appear
to
be. p>
Your
courageous
leap
of
faith
can
lead
you
into
uncharted
territory,
enabli ng
you
to
build
a
ne w,
more
adventurous
life.
Though
you
may
anticipate
that
fear
will
be
your
guide
on
your
journey
across
the
abyss,
you
w ill
likely
discover
that
exhilaration
is
your
constant
companion.
542.
Your
Perfect
Teacher
Life
Man
y
of
us
long
to
find
a
spiritual
teacher
or
guru.
We
may
feel
unsu re
of
how
to
practice<
/p>
our
spirituality
without
o ne,
or
we
may
long
f or
someone
who
has
attaine d
a
higher
level
of
insight
to
lead
the
wa y
for
us.
Some
of
us
have
been
looking
for
years
to
no
avail
a nd
feel
frustrated
and
eve n
lost.
The
good
news
< p>isthat
the
greatest
tea cher
you
could
ever
wa nt
is
always
with
you—that
is
your
life.
The
people
and
situations
we
< p>encounterevery
day
have
much
to
teach
us
when
we
are
open
to
rece iving
their
wisdom.
Often
we
don’t
recognize
our
tea chers
because
they
may
not
look
or
act
like
< p>ouridea
of
a
guru,
< p>yetthey
may
embody
grea t
wisdom.
In
addition,
some
people
teach
us
by p>
showing
us
what
we
do n’t
want
to
do.
All
the
situations
in
our
lives,
from
the
insignificant
to
the
major,
conspire
to
teach
us
exactly
what< /p>
we
need
to
be
le
arning
at
any
given
time.< /p>
Patience,
compassion,
perseveran ce,
honesty,
letting
go—all
< p>these
are
covered
in
the
classroom
of
the
teac her
that
is
your
life.
We
can
help
ourselves
to
remember
this
perfect
< p>teachereach
day
with
a< /p>
few
simple
words.
Each
morning
we
might
find
a
moment
to
say,
acknowledge
and
honor
the
teacher
that
is
my
li fe.
May
I
be
wise
en ough
to
recognize
the
teac hers
and
lessons
that
I
encounter
today,
and
may
I
be
open
to
receiv ing
their
wisdom.
We
might
also
take
some
time
p>
each
day
to
consider
what
our
lives
are
trying< /p>
to
teach
us
at
this< /p>
time.
A
difficult
phas
e
in
your
relationship
wit h
your
child
may
be
teaching
you
to
let
go.
The
homeless
person
you< /p>
see
every
day
may
be
showing
you
the
boundarie s
of
your
compassion
and p>
generosity.
A
spate
of< /p>
lost
items
may
be
as king
you
to
be
more
present
to
physical
reality.
Trust
your
intuition
on p>
the
nature
of
the
les son
at
hand,
work
at
your
own
pace,
and
ask
as
many
questions
as
you
want.
Your
life
has
all
the
answers.
543.
Wherever
You
Are
Home
Is
Where
the
Heart
Is
The
word
has
a
wide
variety
of
connota tions.
To
some,
home
is
merely
a
place
where
basic
needs
are
addressed.
To
others,
home
is
the
foundation
from
which
the y
draw
their
strength
and
tranquility.
Still,
others p>
view
home
as
a
place< /p>
inexorably
linked
to
f
amily.
Yet
all
these
defin itions
of
home
imply
somew here
we
can
be
ourselves p>
and
are
totally
accepte d.
There,
we
feel
safe
enough
to
let
down
our< /p>
guard,
peaceful
enough
to< /p>
really
relax,
and
love d
enough
to
want
to
return
day
after
day.
Howe ver,
these
qualities
need
not
be
linked
to
a
single
space
or
any
spa ce
at
all.
Home
is
w here
the
heart
is
and
< p>can
be
the
locale
yo u
live
in,
a
community
you
once
lived
in,
or p>
the
country
where
you
plan
to
live
someday.
Or
home
can
be
a
fe eling
you
carry
inside
you rself,
wherever
you
are.
The
process
of
evolution< /p>
can
require
you
to
u ndergo
transformations
that
upro ot
you.
Moving
from
pl ace
to
place
can
seem
< p>toliterally
divide
you
from
the
foundations
you
< br>have
come
to
depend
on.
Since
your
home
is
so
intimately
tied
to
the< /p>
memories
that
define
y ou,
you
may
feel
that
< p>youare
losing
a
vital p>
part
of
yourself
when
you
leave
behind
your
previous
house,
city,
state,
or
country.
And
as
it< /p>
may
take
some
time
b efore
you
fashion
new
memories,
you
may
feel
hom eless
even
after
settling
into
your
new
abode.
T o
carry
your
home
with
you,
you
need
only
beco me
your
own
foundation.
Do ing
so
is
merely
a
matter
of
staying
grounded
and
centered,
and
recognizin g
that
the
pleasures
y ou
enjoyed
in
one
place
will
still
touch
your
heart
in
another
if
you
allow
them.
Your
home
can
be
any
space
or
state
of
being
that
fu lfills
you,
provided
you
a re
at
peace
with
yours elf
and
your
surroundings.
A
person
can
feel
like
home
to
you,
as
can
seasons
and
activities.
If
you
feel
disconnected
f rom
what
you
once
thought< /p>
of
as
home,
your
detachment
may
be
a
signa l
that
you
are
ready
to
move
one.
Simply
put,< /p>
you
will
know
you
found
your
home
whe n
both
your
physical
envir onment
and
energetic
surroun
dings
are
in
harmony
with< /p>
the
individual
you
are
within.
544.
Getting
Back
to
Wellness
Seven
Qui ck
Fixes
To
Feel
Better
The
signals
our
bodies p>
use
to
tell
us
we
need
to
cleanse
ourselves
physically,
mentally,
and
emotionally
are
multifaceted
an d
often
mirror
symptoms
we
associate
with
illness.
I f
we
heed
these
signs,
we
not
only
feel
be tter
quickly
but
also
stav e
off
poor
health
before p>
it
can
start.
These
quick
fixes
for
common
ailments
can
get
you
start ed.
1.
Applying
pressure
to
the
acupressure
point
< p>betweenthe
thumb
and
fo refinger
can
release
blockag es
causing
pain,
tension,
and
fatigue.
You
can
relie ve
a
headache
naturally
by
squeezing
for
20
seco nds
and
releasing
for
10 p>
seconds,
without
letting
go ,
four
times.
2.
To
breathe
freely,
irrigate
you r
nasal
passages
with
a
neti
pot
and
warm
salt
water.
As
you
clear p>
and
soothe
the
sinuses,
congestion
associated
with
al lergies
or
infection
will
gradually
disappear.
3.
Apple
cider
vinegar
is
a p>
powerful
purifying
and
deto xifying
agent.
Soaking
for
20
minutes
in
a
warm< /p>
bath
infused
with
two
< p>cupsof
apple
cider
vine gar
pulls
toxins
from
the< /p>
body
and
can
clear
blocked
energy.
4.
The
foods
you
eat
can
have
a
profound
impact
on
< p>youroutlook
and
mood.
E ating
a
small
yet
sati sfying
meal
rich
in
comple x
carbohydrates
can
lift
y our
spirit
and
help
you
let
go
of
feelings
of
anger,
irritability,
and
depression.
5.
Anxiety
an d
fear
dissipate
quickly
w hen
countered
with
conscious
breathing
because
concentrating
on
the
breath
enables
you
to
refocus
your
att ention
inward.
You
can
gro und
yourself
and
regain
< p>yourusual
calm
by
takin g
a
series
of
deep
b elly
breaths
as
you
vi
sualize
your
feet
growing
roots
that
stretch
miles
d own
into
the
earth.
6.
Though
tuning
out
can
seem
counterproductive,
a
few
minutes
spent
lost
in
daydreams
or
listening
to
soothing
music
can
help p>
you
see
your
circumstances< /p>
from
a
new
angle
when
you
feel
frustrated.
7.
If
you
feel
ill
health
coming
on,
brew
a
wellness
elixir.
Simmer
three
sliced
lemons,
one
teaspoon
freshly
grated
ging er,
one
clove
freshly
minc ed
garlic,
and
one
quarter
teaspoon
cayenne
pepper
in
five
cups
water
unti l
the
lemons
are
soft
< p>andpale.
Strain
a
p
ortion
into
a
mug
and
< p>addhoney
by
tablespoons
until
you
can
tolerate
th e
taste.
Drinking
this
potent
mixture
of
antibacterial ,
antiviral,
and
antifungal
< p>ingredientsthree
times
ea ch
day
can
ensure
your
symptoms
never
progress
into< /p>
a
full-blown
illness.
545.
Redirecting
the
Eruption
Lashing
Out
Intense
emotions
demand
intense
modes
of
expression.
While
there p>
are
many
outlets
for
the
feelings
typically
deeme d
positive,
however,
there
are
far
fewer
methods
for
constructively
coping
with< /p>
anger,
frustration,
fear,
sadness,
or
stress.
Consequently ,
such
feelings
can
ca use
us
to
believe
that
we
are
no
longer
in
control
of
our
emotional
< p>state.
Backed
into
a
mental
corner,
we
may
las h
out
at
the
first
i ndividual
we
encounter.
Most
of
us
will
quickly
discover
that
our
misdirected
outpouring
of
fury
has
not
relieved
the
pressure
p>
of
our
pain.
Powerful
emotions
are
like
the
lav a
in
a
volcano
poised
< p>toerupt—
held
in
ch eck
with
nothing
but
an
eroding
layer
of
calm.
Within
us
lies
the
power< /p>
to
direct
the
flood
of
feeling
that
surges
forth
by
channeling
it
in to
productive,
artistic,
or
< p>laborious
pursuits.
Retaking
control
of
our
emotions p>
at
their
height
can
b e
difficult
because
our
al ready
negative
feelings
can< /p>
convince
us
that
others
are
deserving
of
our
w rath.
But
if
we
consci
ously
look
for
healthier
w ays
of
expressing
what
we< /p>
feel,
we
can
both
sa fely
dispel
our
pain
a nd
use
the
energy
of
that
pain
to
add
value
to
our
lives.
Anger
an d
sadness,
for
example,
become
the
inspiration
that
induces
us
to
dedi cate
ourselves
to
bringing
about
the
change
we
w ish
to
see
in
the
wo rld.
If
we
act
rather
< p>thanreact,
we
can
becom e
effective
agents
of
positive
transformation.
When
we
channel
our
frustration
o r
feelings
of
stress
i nto
outside-the-box
thinking
and
proactive
exploits,
we
ar e
more
apt
to
discover
solutions
to
the
issues p>
that
initially
left
us
< p>stymied.And
if
we
view< /p>
fear
as
a
signal
tha t
we
need
to
reexamine
our
circumstances
rather
than
a
cue
to
flee,
we
may
gain
new
and
unexpected
insight
into
our< /p>
lives.
Channeling
your
emotions
into
constructive
acti on
can
also
prevent
you
from
engaging
in
cyclica
l
rumination
in
which
you< /p>
repeatedly
relive
the
situ ation,
event,
or
expectation
that
originally
sparked
y our
feelings
in
your
mind’ s
eye.
Since
you
are
focused
on
a
goal,
ev
en
if
your
ambition
is
merely
to
better
understand p>
yourself,
your
pain
is
< p>nolonger
being
fed
by
your
intellectual
and
e motional
energy
and
quickly
< p>ebbsaway.
You
not
only< /p>
avoid
lashing
out
at p>
others,
but
you
also
actively
take
part
in
your
own
healing
process
w
hile
honestly
acknowledging
and< /p>
honoring
your
feelings.
546
Serving
the
Higher
S elf
The
Ego
In
mos t
spiritual
circles,
the
e go
gets
a
pretty
bad
rap.
The
reason
for
this< /p>
is
that
the
ego,
to
some
extent,
is
the
principle
in
our
psyches
that
separates
us
from
one
another,
while
spirit
is
the
principle
that
shows
us
that
no
such
< p>separationexists.
Sometimes
t he
ego
is
depicted
as< /p>
an
almost
demonic
figure p>
that
keeps
us
from
re alizing
our
true
nature.
B ut
at
its
most
basic,< /p>
the
ego
is
simply
a< /p>
tool
that
helps
us
o rganize
the
various
aspects
< p>ofour
personality
so
< p>thatwe
can
function
in< /p>
the
world.
In
this
s ense,
the
ego
is
simply
a
way
for
us
to
understand
and
attend
to
ourselves
at
the
same
t ime
as
we
understand
and p>
attend
to
the
world
around
us.
The
ego
is p>
a
tool
that
we
use
to
navigate
the
world.
Perhaps
the
problem
is
< p>thatthe
ego
sometimes
g ets
out
of
control.
This p>
happens
when
the
higher
self
loses
control
of
the
psyche.
The
psyche
then
falls
under
the
leade rship
of
the
ego,
an p>
entity
that
was
never
meant
to
lead.
The
ego
is
meant
to
be
definit ively
in
the
service
o f
the
higher
self.
When
this
relationship
is
functio ning,
the
ego
is
a
u seful
intermediary
representing
the
whole
self
but
not
thinking
that
it
is
the
whole
self.
Then,
it< /p>
is
almost
as
if
the
ego
is
the
self
playfully
pretending
to
be
the
separate
entity
called
< p>
Like
an
actor,
the< /p>
ego
plays
the
roles
that
the
world
asks
us
to
play
in
order
to
be
part
of
the
prog ram.
In
this
way,
the
< p>egocan
be
a
tool
enabling
us
to
be
in
the
world
but
not
of
< p>it.
As
long
as
we
are
in
touch
with
our< /p>
higher
selves,
our
egos
are
not
a
threat.
They
are
simply
useful
too ls
in
the
service
of
spirit.
We
keep
our
egos< /p>
in
check
when
we
continually
nurture
our
awarene ss
of
who
we
really
are.
Then
our
egos
are
free
to
serve
without
trying
ineffectually
to
rule.
It
is
healthy
to
ha ve
ego,
but
like
all
things
in
life,
ego
f
unctions
best
when
it
is p>
in
balance
and
harmony
< p>withyour
whole
self.
547.
Hidden
Gems
Experienc
es
We
Don't
Understand
Sometimes
we
have
an
expe rience
that
we
don’t
under stand,
but
if
we
look
< p>deeply,or
wait
long
enough,
a
reason
for
that
experience
will
usually
r eveal
itself.
All
the
even ts
in
our
lives
lead p>
to
other
events,
and
all
that
we
have
manifeste d
in
this
present
moment p>
is
the
result
of
past
events
and
experiences.
We
cannot
easily
tease
apart
the
many
threads
that
have
been
woven
toge ther
to
create
our
current
reality.
Experiences
that
don’t
make
sense,
as
well
as
any
that
we
regret,
are
just
as
respon sible
for
the
good
things< /p>
in
our
lives
as
the
experiences
we
do
unde rstand
or
label
as
This
is
especially
important
to
remember
at
times
< p>whenwe
feel
directionless
or
unsure
of
what
t o
do.
It
is
often
at
times
like
these
that
we
take
a
job
or
move
to
a
place
without
really
knowing
if
it’s p>
the
right
thing
to
do .
We
may
ultimately
end
up
leaving
the
job
or< /p>
the
place,
but
often p>
during
that
time
we
w ill
have
met
someone
who p>
becomes
an
important
fr iend,
or
we
may
have
an
experience
that
changes
< p>usin
a
profound
way.
When
all
the
pieces
< p>ofour
life
don’t
quite< /p>
make
sense,
we
can
r emember
that
there
may
be< /p>
some
hidden
gem
of
a
reason
that
we
are
where
we
are
having
th e
experiences
we
are
h
aving.
It’s
fun
to
loo k
back
on
past
experiences
with
an
eye
to
unco vering
those
gems—the
dreadf
ul
temporary
job
in
a
< p>blandoffice
building
that
introduced
you
to
the
l ove
of
your
life;
the< /p>
roommate
you
couldn’t
tole rate
who
gave
you
a
book
that
changed
your
lif e;
the
time
spent
livi ng
in
a
city
you
did n’t
like
that
led
you
< p>intoa
deeper
relationship
with
yourself.
Remembering
< p>thesepast
experiences
can
restore
our
faith
in
th e
present.
Life
is
ful
l
of
buried
treasures.
Cha nces
are,
you’re
sitting
o n
some
right
now.
548.
Setting
the
Tone
Star
ting
Your
Day
Well
The
choices
you
make
upon
waking
can
have
a
profo und
impact
on
your
day.
If,
still
drowsy,
you
hit
the
ground
running,
< p>rushingto
prepare
yourself
to
face
your
worldly
< br>obligations,
you
will
likely< /p>
feel
fatigued
and
overwhel med
for
most
of
your
day.
A
leisurely
and
relaxing
morning,
on
the
o ther
hand,
can
energize
an d
excite
you,
as
well
< p>as
give
you
the
cour age
to
meet
the
challenges
waiting
for
you.
By
beginning
your
day
in
a p>
focused
and
centered
fa shion,
you
make
it
your
own.
You
set
the
tone< /p>
of
your
expectations
a nd
choose
the
mood
you
will
use
to
respond
to< /p>
your
circumstances.
A
gentle,
reflective,
and
thoughtf ul
morning
will
prepare
yo u
to
create
a
gentle,
< p>conscious,
and
thoughtful
day.
The
simplest
way
to
eliminate
the
rush
from
your
morning
routine
is p>
to
rise
earlier.
Gettin
g
children
into
routines
a nd
getting
themselves
ready
< p>asmuch
as
possible
will
also
give
you
more
time.
Though
this
may
seem
like
a
hardship
at
first,
you
will
soon
g row
to
love
the
extra< /p>
minutes
or
hours
that
< p>affordyou
an
opportunity
< p>toreally
enjoy
watching
the
sun
come
up
or
connect
with
your
loved
< p>onesbefore
you
go
in
your
separate
directions.
are
many
more
ways
you
can
constructively
us e
the
time
you
gain.
A
mere
half-hour
of
i ntrospection
in
which
you
examine
your
goals,
thank
the
universe
for
the
r ichness
in
your
life,
and< /p>
contemplate
the
blessings
you
will
receive
this
day< /p>
can
lift
your
spirit p>
and
help
you
formulate
< p>lastingpositive
expectations.
Likewise,
you
can
solidify<
/p>
your
day’s
intention
throu gh
spoken
affirmations
or
the
words
you
record
in
a
journal.
Or,
if
you
want
little
more
than< /p>
to
enjoy
your
day,
d evote
a
portion
of
your
personal
time
to
activit ies
that
both
ground
and p>
delight
you,
such
as
meditation,
yoga,
chanting,
singing,
reading,
or
listening p>
to
music.
If
you
feel ,
however,
that
there
is p>
little
room
for
change< /p>
in
your
start-of-the-day
r outine,
try
to
make
each p>
activity
you
engage
in
< p>upon
waking
a
ritual
in
its
own
right.
The
time
you
spend
everyday
savoring
a
soothing
cup
of
tea
or
washing
away< /p>
tension
in
a
hot
sho wer
can
serve
as
a
p otent
reminder
of
the
need
to
care
for
yourself< /p>
no
matter
what
the
h our.
Your
morning
is
y ours
and
should
reflect
no t
only
your
practical
need s
but
also
the
needs
of
your
soul.
When
yo u
center
yourself
at
the p>
start
of
your
day,
yo u
will
likely
find
it
< p>easier
to
remain
centered< /p>
during
subsequent
work,
pl ay,
and
downtime
because
t he
overall
sense
of
se renity
you
create
through
your
choices
will
stay
wit h
you
throughout
the
d ay.
549.
We
Are
Family
Humanity
When
it
comes
to
our
families,
we< /p>
sometimes
see
only
our
differences.
We
see
the
way
our
parents
cling
to
ideas
we
don’t
believe ,
or
act
in
ways
we< /p>
try
not
to
act.
We p>
see
how
practical
one p>
of
our
siblings
is
an d
wonder
how
we
can
be
from
the
same
gene
< p>pool.
Similarly,
within
th e
human
family
we
see
< p>howdifferent
we
are
fro m
each
other,
in
ways
< p>ranging
from
gender
and
race
to
geographical
locatio n
and
religious
beliefs.
I t
is
almost
as
if
< p>wethink
we
are
a
different
species
sometimes.
But
the
truth
is,
in
ou r
personal
families
as
well
as
the
human
family,
we
really
are
the
s ame.
A
single
mother
o f
four
living
in
Africa
looks
up
at
the
same p>
stars
and
moon
that
s hine
down
on
an
elderl y
Frenchman
in
Paris.
A
Tibetan
monk
living
in
India,
a
newborn
infant
< br>in
China,
and
a
young p>
couple
saying
their
marriag e
vows
in
Indiana
all
< p>breathethe
same
air,
the
same
process.
We< /p>
have
all
been
hurt
a nd
we
have
all
cried.
< p>Eachone
of
us
knows
how
it
feels
to
lov e
someone
dearly.
No
matte r
what
our
political
views
are,
we
all
love
laugh.
Regardless
of
how
much
or
how
little
money
we
have,
our
hear ts
pump
blood
through
our
bodies
in
the
same
way.
With
all
this
in p>
common,
it
is
clear
w e
are
each
individual
members
of
the
same
family .
We
are
human.
Acknow
ledging
how
close
we
all p>
are,
instead
of
clinging
to
what
separates
us,
enables
us
to
feel
les s
alone
in
the
world.
< p>Everyperson
we
meet,
se e,
hear,
or
read
about,
is
a
member
of
our
family.
We
are
truly
< p>notalone.
We
also
begin
to
see
that
we
are< /p>
perfectly
capable
of
u nderstanding
and
relating
to
people
who,
on
the
surf ace,
may
seem
very
dif
ferent
from
us.
This
aware ness
prevents
us
from
disc onnecting
from
people
on
t he
other
side
of
the p>
tracks,
and
the
other
side
of
the
world.
We
begin
to
understand
that
< p>we
must
treat
all
pe ople
for
what
they
are—fam ily.
550.
Divergent
Directio ns
Coping
with
People
You
Dislike
As
much
as
most
of
us
wish
we< /p>
could
exist
in
harmony
with
the
people
we
enco unter
throughout
our
lives,< /p>
there
will
always
be
individuals
we
dislike.
Some
simply
rub
us
the
wrong
way
while
others
str ike
us
as
deliberately
una ware.
We
may
judge
others< /p>
as
too
mean
or
a brasive
for
us
to
interact
with
them
comfortably.
Ye t
no
person
should
be
< p>deemed
a
villain
because p>
their
beliefs,
opinions,
ma nnerisms,
and
mode
of
bein g
are
not
compatible
w ith
your
own.
You
need
not
embrace
the
rough
t raits
they
have
chosen
to< /p>
embody.
There
may
be p>
times
in
which
the
be st
course
of
action
involv es
distancing
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