Inside my mind, I dance and weave, and spiral to the stars,
And dive below the sea's cold face to wander wide and far.
I gather thought and birth ideas and witness to the known,
And look inside to feel my soul, and determine if I've grown.
- Imthem
All are but parts of one stupendous whole,
Whose body Nature is, and God the soul. - Alexander Pope
Original thought...is it possible? Or do we just find a slightly altered form of expression? If the form is filtered through our own minds, have the thoughts then become original to ourselves? And in expressing them, do we create new aspects of thought, new facets of aspect?
How much time he gains who does not look to see what his neighbour says or does or thinks, but only at what he does himself, to make it just and holy. - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
Communication is the key to all of our relationships. Open and honest communication is the cornerstone of trust; without trust how can we have a relationship with another person? If I do not communicate clearly with you, how can you begin to understand what I am feeling, my motives, my needs, my recognition of YOU? And if I do not clearly show myself, my thoughts, my heart to you, how can I expect that in return?
Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent. -Dionysius the Elder
It is so important to live life consciously. To be aware of our effect on those around us. A single smile, shared with a stranger in the morning, can ripple through the lives of countless others through countless days beyond. That smile to the old woman in the grocery store gave her a good feeling and allowed her to share a smile with the clerk, who went home at the end of the day feeling less frustrated than usual. The clerk didn't yell at her little boy that night, who went to sleep that night happy. The little boy woke the next morning feeling good about himself, and went to school with a positive attitude and got an A on his spelling test. His teacher felt good about that, and shared it with her husband that night, over dinner. Her teenage daughter, hearing the story, realized how rewarding her mother's work was, and began considering her options at college..... The circle continues. Share a smile, a kind word, a gentle touch. Make each gesture of each minute count.
If any man can convince me and bring home to me that I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his deception and ignorance. - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
I do not have to agree with you, and do not expect agreement for myself. It is more important that we tolerate each other's views. In tolerance and compassion, we can reach a point of acknowledging the validity of an individual's beliefs. We each follow our own path, and to recognize that the path of another is the right one for them allows us to remain true to our own. If you join me on my path I will welcome you, but if, perchance, your path never intersects mine, I will smile and wish you well on your own. We each have our own lessons to learn in this life. I cannot judge the lessons of anyone other than myself.
As surgeons keep their instruments and knives always at hand for cases requiring immediate treatment, so shouldst thou have thy thoughts ready to understand things divine and human, remembering in thy every act, even the smallest, how close is the bond that unites the two. - Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
What is the true nature of love? To give love, expecting nothing in return. An unconditional acceptance of another person. To love merely for the sake of loving; of giving from within oneself in order to have even more to give. In giving love, we nourish our own spirit, and allow a new growth and expansion within our own soul. From within our gift of love we receive even more.
Some impose upon the world that they believe that which they do not; others, more in number, make themselves believe that they believe, not being able to penetrate into what it is to believe. - Michael de Montaigne
Friendship is the base of our truest relationships. We can love another without truly liking them. But with the stronger ties of friendship, built on sharing, trust, and acceptance, love itself becomes nourished and grows even stronger. Friendship forges timeless bonds, strengthened by time, softened by love.
The language of friendship is not words but meanings. - Henry David Thoreau
Oh, to learn! To find new sources of information and listen to others with knowledge more deep than my own. To see a faint glimmer of unknown secrets and to pursue that knowledge and sponge up everything I can. To stretch my own mind with the impact of others' words, to enhance my own vision with the sight of others'. To explore the vastness of this world and all that it has held, now holds and will hold. This is indeed the buffet of the universe.
We are born to inquire after truth; it belongs to a greater power to possess it. It is not, as Democritus said,
hid in the bottom of the deeps, but rather elevated to an infinite height in the divine knowledge. - Michael de Montaigne
