Inspiring Thoughts

A compendium of some of my favorite quotes and quips from an inspiring collection of interesting people whose influential thoughts I've woven into the following essay: In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration. Every time you embrace something new, you bring into yourself a sense of aliveness. Your heart expands, and you literally begin revitalizing yourself and rejuvenating your body. Life always seeks growth, expansion and evolution. Let your desire to discover the treasures within you propel you in every moment. We very mistakenly believe that we are the same each and every day, and we simply are not. If we would take time to observe our moments, we will really see that we change repeatedly and we are creating our lives as we go along, moment by moment. And we are all participants in the creation process of each other. Real generosity toward the future lies in giving all to the present. So where do you begin, knowing that you have created this world? You have to begin with yourself, not with the alteration of the system, of the outer world. It means, not looking for a new leader, new system, new philosophy, new gurus, but looking at yourself as you are. Can you observe yourself as you would observe your face in a mirror? Can you observe your reactions, your responses, because your reactions and your responses are what you are. Never forget that you are one of a kind. Never forget that if there weren't any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn't be here in the first place. And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life's challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world. In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about. So be that one person. Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. When you are inspired by some great purpose, your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you discover yourself to be a far greater person than you ever dreamed yourself to be. The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are. Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one. There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening, that is translated through you into action. And because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium, and will be lost. The world will not have it. When you open yourself to the continually changing, impermanent, dynamic nature of your own being and of reality, you increase your capacity to love and care about other people and your capacity to not be afraid. You're able to keep your eyes open, your heart open, and your mind open. And, you begin to think of your life as offering endless opportunities to start to do things differently. Look in the mirror! To gaze at yourself is a joyous and poignant; eye opening and secretive; promising and sobering plunge into self-awareness. There is no need to run outside for better seeing, nor to peer from a window. Rather abide at the center of your being; for the more you leave it, the less you learn. Above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it. Love your Self. Forgive your Self. Respect your Self. Bring your Self to the party, and dance with your Self. Don't worry, be happy. Flow in the living moment. We are always in a process of becoming and nothing is fixed. Have no rigid system in you, and you'll be flexible to change with the ever changing. Open yourself and flow, my friend. Flow in the total openness of the living moment. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Moving, be like water. Still, be like a mirror. Respond, like an echo. You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself. That is something you have charge of. The above INSPIRING THOUGHTS provided by the following: Ansel Adams, Sanaya Roman, Paul Hoffman, Christina Norman, Albert Camus, J. Krishnamurti, Buckminster Fuller, Howard Thurman, Pantanjali, Joseph Campbell, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martha Graham, Pema Chödrön, Mark Lamm, Lao Tzu, Roald Dahl, D.R. Butler, Bruce Lee, Jim Rohn