I love reading and hearing stories - especially about synchronicity ("there is no such thing as coincidence"), near-death experiences, and random acts of kindness and service.
As you know, in this monthly publication, I include an article about people helping people. That translates into people making a difference in the lives of others, be that one person or a community. I often find stories online, but I would be delighted to share stories of people who you know directly.
So, please email me about people you know who are helping others, who have sprinkled around random acts of kindness, who have made a difference in the life (lives) of others. It can even be about you! Fear not about your ego; this is about being of service, giving from the heart, gifting the world you!
I can't wait to
hear from you; after all, I really love stories!
Blessings,
Inspiration and Contemplation
Freedom - Inner and Outer
"It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
- John Adams, referring to the day when it was declared to the world that "these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states."
Most of the people living in those colonies had simply had enough of British domination, of working and virtually existing at the pleasure of a king they didn't know and who considered them his indentured servants. They wanted to be free, to make their own decisions, to govern themselves and breathe the sweet air of liberty.
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
- United States Declaration of Independence
This is some serious stuff!
To what extent do each of us keep ourselves from living life fully, being free, and pursuing happiness? Even if external events make me wonder whether the vision of the Founding Fathers will remain alive, my spirit rejoices in their courage, bravery, wisdom, and foresight and moves me to embrace life more fully, deeply, and passionately. And, to keep working on me.
Thich Nhat Hanh was asked "Why doesn't Buddhism support romantic love?" In his response, he said the Buddha never said anything negative about true love. It doesn't matter if it's romantic or not romantic love; what matters is that it's true love.
He speaks of the four elements of true love:
Loving kindness
Compassion
Joy
Inclusiveness
If romantic love has these four elements, it can bring a lot of happiness. If you're successful at romantic love and cultivate a lot of loving kindness and compassion, your love will become all-embracing and happiness will become limitless. That is the love of the Buddha, which continues to grow and grow.
Watch the video to learn more about the four elements of true love.
People Helping People
The Best Wife Ever
If you don't get a chuckle out of this one...
Who cares if it's actually true or not?!
"The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You trade in your sense for an act. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask. There can't be any large-scale revolution until there's a personal revolution, on an individual level. It's got to happen inside first."
- Jim Morrison
Wishing you peace and freedom on The Journey...
Missed some of my newsletters? You can visit the archives and read them online.
"It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore."
Thich Nhat Hanh was asked "Why doesn't Buddhism support romantic love?" In his response, he said the Buddha never said anything negative about true love. It doesn't matter if it's romantic or not romantic love; what matters is that it's true love.
