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

Creating Future Meaning

In Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning he observed how to make the best of a truly bad situation. His experience of being in a Nazis concentration camp provides profound insights pertinent to our challenge now to find the light at the end of the tunnel.  Victor saw many of his fellow prisoners who only saw opportunities in the past tense instead of the present or future.   He wrote about turning his life into a inner triumph by making a victory of challenging experiences.

A key point in this book is looking forward, making inner goals to create faith in the future.  Without such a belief mental and physical decay quickly results. Opportunity only comes when one looks at the way he bears his burden.  Examining such larger issues like death and suffering  unveils a greater task of being with or getting through these unpleasant situations. By accepting not denying our suffering one acts responsibly so to fully live instead of filled with despair.  With such an attitude of encouragement and hope we then can make the best of lives. 

Frankl developed Logotherapy were one realizes their responsibilities.  It is up to the person to awaken to his obligation to himself and his community.  Depression happens because we lack content in our life.  Critical is what specific meaning one gives his life in the here and now.  For example what is your best next move in a chess game gets you engaged to fully be.  It is not what meaning life offers but rather what meaning you give to it.

"The more one  forgets himself- by giving of himself to a cause or to serve or another person to love- the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself"  pg. 115

According to logotherapy,  we can discover the meaning of life in three different ways: 1) In creating  a work or by doing a deed 2) by experiencing something or encountering someone, and; 3) by the attitude we take about unavoidable suffering.  pg.115

For what then matters is to bear witness to the uniquely human potential at its best, which is to transform a personal tragedy into a triumph, to turn one's predicament into human achievement. pg. 116

It is one of the basic tenets in logotherapy the man's main concern is not to gain pleasure or avoid pain but rather see meaning in his life. That is why man is even ready to suffer, on the condition he , to be sure, that his suffering has meaning.  pg. 117 

That which does not kill me, makes me stronger- Nietzsche

Optimizing Kindness is OK

Optimizing Kindness (OK) expands my heart and calms my mind. Everything becomes OK when I optimize being kind. Investing in kindness is the best way for me to increase my well being. Being kind is one of life's precious gifts. It is critical to start by being gentle with myself. Each day I face many challenges and dark forces.  Easily my old shadows can overcome me.  When I remember to be gentle with myself this elevates me and others with many benefits.

May I awaken to exercise this invaluable skill cultivating many sacred and kind rituals.  For example emulating the example of Dali Lama or a little girl just sharing her toys inspires me. Just the simple act of caring has a tremendous ripple effect.

As a guests here on earth I can either respect or disregard for our delicate world. Kindness is about me making the intention to honor and be at peace with what is happening. Can I have the courage and accept so I can best go forth with compassion every day? The more I am able to open my eyes, the more I can see that we are all lovers.  I wish show my gratitude and a winning grin.  Such friendliness opens doors that before were walls.

How I relate to my world is determines whether I make it a blessing or a curse. Exercising kindness I foster more harmonic surroundings.  Exercising greater selflessness extends the possibility of increasing friends, community and goodness. OK is a radical act of self care.  My prosperity is directly related to whether I continue with more kind acts rather than mean ones. This attitude of friendliness and gentleness elevates instead of depresses.  OK shifts me from indifference to a loving friendly disposition overcoming my existential despair. Being kind to myself, others, and the world excels me to enjoy greater happiness and freedom.

“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” - Desmond Tutu

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” - Henry James

“Goodness is the only investment that never fails.” – Henry David Thoreau



Links of interest

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/raktivists

http://www.spreadkindness.org

http://inspiremykids.com/2015/great-kindness-quotes-for-kids/

http://www.thekindnessrevolution.net

Renew With Aloha

Yesterday evening I was kayaking on the Shenandoah River not far from where I live.  First going East since the sun was behind me.  Half way on this winding river I was going West blinded by the sun. Then I realized I could go backwards as a easy as forwards. As I stop to turn around I saw a  three foot turtle. This brought to mind there is no beginning, and no end- just the circle going around.

There have been many transitions in my life. Good friends have passed and as well as other things. I have recently moved my Dad near my home.  As one door closes another opens since all of life is filled in three parts:  a start; middle; and an end. Just as there is a past, present, and future how I relate to such passages fosters profound insights. Life is a constant reminder that all things come and go. 

I have met a friend in a men’s group and we are both in transition from this group. Over two years I attended this group at first every week, and then every several weeks and now probably every few months. For me this transition reminds me of a powerful word, Aloha. It means both hello and goodbye. It covers all circumstances from a simple welcome to grieving the loss of a dear love. 

For me grace comes from understanding equanimity of Aloha. Acknowledging my transitory existence is a constant reminder to how things work. When I renew it is as if I was born new again. Since everything changes with Aloha when I remember and exercise renewed awareness. With this widening circle of consciousness I reclaim greater prosperity in my life by honoring this hello and goodbye concept.  

Changing the way I reference all life is a transition this enhances my entire well-being. Aloha shifts my mind so to open in fresh new possibilities.

Renewing with Aloha allows me to discard much of my emotional baggage such as worry, anxiety and other fear based feelings.  Seeing how hello and goodbye helps me better balance the positive with the negative. 

Aloha is like a mantra that helps me recognize I have a choice to reawaken. This lens is the honor the constant rites of passage I experience. My old story can appear as I am looking through a dirty window.  When I open to new experience then I activate my well-being.   

Years ago I shared with a therapist my feelings of anxious energy and how I felt like a buzzing fluorescent light bulb.  It has taken me many years to Renew with Aloha stimulating my life force or chi energy. 

Renew with Aloha is how I choose to perceive and look at my current circumstances.  Either it is filled with Velcro for the bad and Teflon for the good or vice versa?  Such an open and flexible attitude can rejuvenate my outlook just as I can take the remote and change life's T.V. channel.

When I Renew with Aloha I enjoy its liberating effect. There is no beginning and no end just the cosmic circle rotating. This is because all things are impermanent. I accept such change as a given. With this awakening, I can better experience life's amazing mystery. Everything is a blessing, and/or a curse and so as all things it constantly arises and falls.  When I Renew with Aloha may I enjoy its awe. 

Eco Trillion Revolution

Time to act is quickly ticking away.  If we are going to secure our future it is going to be the rich to champion it.   No longer can we wait since the fate of our prosperity is in the balance. Today we have nearly 800 billionaires and some are trail blazers for conservation.  One example, Bill Gates, is funding fossil free energy sources shifting from vaccines to greater global environmental issues.

Richard Branson, Michael Dell, Michael Bloomberg, Ted Turner, George Soros, Sergey Brin, Larry Page and others see the wisdom in green philanthropy.  These leaders are investing into alternative energy technologies, biodiversity, green buildings, and numerous other ventures to promote our future prosperity.

Branson, Dell, Turner and others are running their corporate operations by minimizing their footprint with everything from planting trees to green fuels and even educating children with Captain Planet. Bloomberg wishes on making building 80 percent more energy efficient.  Brin and Page are promoting smart cars and plug in vehicles.

Critical is that our weathly leaders develop a blueprint or coordinate efforts since financial impacts of global warming are accelerating. 

Change can only be stimulated by those who can afford to take the risk for greater gain.  For the last few decades major environmental economic advancements have been hampered by the idea that conservation hinders economic growth.  Madison Avenue has promoted an impoverished attitude advocating conspicuous consumption.  This "ending is better than mending" mentality now must be discarded.  Are we affluent or effluent Americans, waste makers or risk takers?

Hopefully new innovative eco-developments will spurn hundreds of other billionaires to a green economic revolution. Our environmental economics are still in the infancy since we still take for granted our free air, water and land resources.  No longer can we allow the philosophy of , "if it is not broke, we do not need to fix it," since it has been broken for years. The yearly cost of dumping on our earth with these externalities is in the trillions affecting the health and safety of billions of living things. 

This crisis requires an ingenious international green social security fund providing this planet with long term financial assurance monies invested for the future generations.  Such initiative would also minimize eco-terrorism and create future micro economic stimulus to fund such green infra-structure developments.

Without some coordinated world financial efforts investing in resources for the future human quality of life on this planet will be seriously diminished.  Such an assumption is not rocket science to figure this out.  Just add up more people, more consumption, less clean land, air and water and what is your conclusion?  Pope Francis, and host of other religious leaders have come up with the same conclusion. We can not allow for the many deniers and climate doubters to prevent such a green eco-revolution.  

Years ago I co-wrote an article with two other experts on landfill financing called,  Dump Now, Pay Latter."  Recycling, and conservation does not happen unless you create incentives or economics to support it.  There is not a credible economist today how has not advocated a carbon tax, including the Exxon Corporation.  Years ago I worked with the American Petroleum Institute who promoted consumer used motor oil recycling by placing tax on each quart of motor oil.  Such measures are most successful in insuring product stewardship. If we do not make it easy and simple to conserve people will not participate.  For example more people recycle in the U.S. then vote.

I challenge you to do the numbers.  Just follow how the Fortune 500 world has profited from pollution prevention and waste reduction.  Output over input equals productivity. Efficiency is about saving time, human and resource capital. Again do the numbers and figure what the long term bottom line is all out.  Finally if you do not believe me just research what the economic and insurance experts reveal.  If the human species does not have a green eco-awakening we may longer enjoy this blue green planet. Without a green one percent revolution our future looks very disheartening.

Read more: http://www.mnn.com/leaderboard/stories/7-green-philanthropists-making-a-difference#ixzz3cJA2ZAA3


--

David's Brooks, Road to Character

In “The Road to Character,”  David Brooks makes a moral examination of those who champion virtue. He features diverse men and women shaped by adversity and who humbly overcome many obstacles to be of greater service.  Brooks looks at ethical conduct or moral ecology of these individuals who develop a special discipline in tackling their weakness and vulnerabilities by showing insightful humility.

Brooks makes his people selection based on their selfless qualities. These self actualized individuals are not so worried about their ego or as Brook's terms, Adam 1, resume, however their Adam 2, eulogy or higher calling.  Humility allows us to awakened from our weakness so it may be transformed into strength.

Brooks writes about Frances Perkins, who witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.  She latter asks the most important questions about not what is inside by outside her self. First, she questions what she wants of life and then importantly asks what life wants of her.  Overcoming criticism and loss, Frances becomes a leader of the New Deal.

Another person who looked at is Saint Augustine.  He started off with the Roman life of partying, sex and drink.  Brook writes on page 212 on how he changed;

"Augustine sank down in posture of openness and surrender,  Then after the retreat, he was open enough to receive grace, to face gratitude, and rise upward.  This is life with an advance-retreat-advance share; life, death, and resurrection,  moving down to dependence to gain immeasurable height."

Brooks makes spiritual judgements of Frances Perkins or Saint Augustine. “The Road to Character” is about spiritual journeys.  For example, he talks about vocation is a calling or even indignation.  It is not about wants or desires or pursuit of happiness. Instead becoming an instrument for the performance.  There is joy. It is not about serving the community or the destination.  It is about the perfection in each task, satisfaction with craftsmanship.  It is the art where their values are in deep harmony with their behavior

Brooks writes on page 207,

The ultimate conquest of self, is not won by self-discipline, or an awful battle within self.  It is won by going outside the self, however by establishing communion with God and by doing things that feel natural in order to return God's love.

Finally Brooks writes about the The Humility Code pg 261;

Each society creates its own moral ecology.  A moral ecology is a set of norms, assumptions, beliefs, and habits of behaviour and an institutionalized set of moral demands that emerge organically.  Our moral ecology encourages us to be a certain sort of person...But each moral climate is a collective response to the problems of the moment and it shapes the people who live within it.

Below is my summary;

1) Seek life with purpose, meaning, excelling the soul, nourish moral joy, cultivate virtue
and ideals.

2) As flawed beings, virtue vs. vice  Overcome short term desires toward spiritual needs.

3) Inner struggle about overcoming, growing stronger, sacrificing worldly success for inner victory.

4) Humility help assess my true nature, underdog in a struggle against own weakness,  not center of universe however serve a larger order.

5) Pride results in vice. It blinds, deludes and cripples.

6) Struggle with insecurity. Key is to engage with the struggle.

7) Character comes from inner confrontation; dealing with weakness.  Develop discipline, considerate and loving self-control. Do not become slave to passions.

8) Lust, fear, greed, and other flaws lead in a downward struggle.

9) Can not do this alone; you need help and support- God, family, friends etc.

10) We are saved by grace. Struggle with own weaknesses is U shaped.  I am accepted. gratitude fills soul and the desire to serve.

11) Defeating weakness requires quieting the self.  A mute ego opens the external sources of the strength that are needed.  Capacity for admiration and reverence are key sources of virtue.

12) Wisdom starts with modesty.  We are not able to see complex cause and effect. Experience defines wisdom that emerges out of a collection of virtues

13)  Vocation is key to good life.  Find intrinsic work that is compelling and focus on being excellent at that.  serve both self and community.  A vocation is not found by looking within
but looking outside to see what life is asking of us.  What problem is addressed by an activity you intrinsically enjoy?

14) Lead by working with the grain of things, find balance between competing interests, values and goals. Be trimmer, shift weight one way or another.  Be steward of effort

15) Maturity - unity of purpose, purpose of centeredness and calm: find equanimity.