No Choice

We get no choice. If we love, we grieve. Thomas Lynch

Change

The black cloud will disappear: the morning sun will appear once again in all its glory. Sri Chinmoy

Polishing

If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished? Rumi

Tolerance

In our human life, tolerance is very important, it helps you overcome difficulties. Without it, tiny things irritate you and you overreact. Dalai Lama

Love

The moment you have in your heart this extraordinary thing called love and feel the depth, the delight, the ecstasy of it, you will discover that for you the world is transformed. Krishnamurti

Breathing

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor. Thich Nhat Hanh 

Complex Relationships

The process of untangling the relationships between ourselves and our parents – 

as well as with our children – is a long term process. Each of us came into the world helpless. As children, we had no choice about relying on our parents. We reached adulthood with a mixture of gratitude, guilt, and resentment. The same is true of our children. Those of us who are parents began with an obligation to our children. We may now feel a mixture of commitment, fulfillment and guilt.

No parent can teach a child everything he or she will need. We all do what we can to continue to learn and grow. We have lifelong commitments to each other – within reason. We are all trying to make our way as best we can. We each need to advance our own well-being and not destroy our lives for the sake of a parent or a child.

Guides

Be grateful for whatever comes because each has been sent as a guide from beyond. Rumi

Shared Concern

Human beings are social creatures, and a concern for each other is the very basis of our life together. Dalai Lama

Imperfections

Sometimes we feel ashamed or frightened by our imperfections, or we strive so hard to overcome them that we successfully close our lives down to a very narrow, controllable scale. Spiritual awakening means we have a zest for life and accept our imperfections.