Well Yes!

Taking certain risks is the how I will lessen my suffering.  Sometimes I allow things that substract not add to my well being.  My greatest challenge is how I come to terms with many of my unhealthy habits.  For example I may eat too fast hoping to calm myself. There are numerous other behaviors that do not help me. I understand that I am only human. There is no excuse for my lack of discipline that unkindly hinders me.  Also on a mental level I may know this is happening while I may be still emotionally fearful to change.

How can I take the risk to free myself from certain patterns that stunt my growth?  To fully appreciate my greater potential I must risk if I wish to advance.  I call this "Well Yes."  This well being or "Well Yes" stimulates me to become more conscious of deeds resulting in grace, and awe. "Well Yes," happens when I behold the wonder of this great mystery by showing a profound kindness in all my relationships.  "Well Yes," provides me with greater wisdom when I take the risk to try more skillful alternatives to find peace, love and joy! 

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.

To weep is to risk being called sentimental.

To reach out to another is to risk involvement.

To expose feeling is to risk showing your true self.

To place your ideas and dreams before 

the crowd is to risk being called naive.

To love is to risk not being loved in return. 

To live is to risk dying. 

To hope is to risk despair.

To try is to risk failure.

But risks must be taken.

Because the greatest risk in life is to risk nothing.

The people who risk nothing do nothing,

have nothing, are nothing, and become nothing.

They may avoid suffering and sorrow. 

But they simply cannot learn to feel,

and change, and grow, and love, and live. 

Chained by their servitude, they are slaves; 

They have forfeited their freedom.

Only the people who risk are truly free.

Anon

Hokusai says

Hokusai says look carefully.

He says pay attention, notice.
He says keep looking, stay curious.
He says there is no end to seeing

He says look forward to getting old.
He says keep changing,
you just get more who you really are.
He says get stuck, accept it, repeat
yourself as long as it is interesting.

He says keep doing what you love.

He says keep praying.

He says every one of us is a child,
every one of us is ancient
every one of us has a body.
He says every one of us is frightened.
He says every one of us has to find
a way to live with fear.

He says everything is alive --
shells, buildings, people, fish,
mountains, trees, wood is alive.
Water is alive.

Everything has its own life.

Everything lives inside us.

He says live with the world inside you.

He says it doesn't matter ifyou draw,
or write books. It doesn't matter
ifyou saw wood, or catch fish.
It doesn't matter if you sit at home
and stare at the ants on your veranda
or the shadows of the trees
and grasses in your garden.
It matters that you care.

It matters that you feel.

It matters that you notice.

It matters that life lives through you.

Contentment is life living through you.
Joy is life living through you.
Satisfaction and strength
is life living through you.

He says don't be afraid.
Don't be afraid.

Love, feel, let life take you by the hand.

Let life live through you.

- Roger Keyes