Sunday, 30 June 2019

Thought


"I was a free thinker before I knew how to think." George Bernard Shaw

Everyone is influenced by someone, and so am I. To not be influenced is to remain ignorant.Today I do not hinder my thinking, particularly around spiritual matters, because of pride. I may not like change. I may find it hard to accept attitudes and opinions that differ from my own. I know pride keeps me deaf and often stupid. However, the daily program of a lived spirituality encourages a variety of opinions and attitudes. I can learn from different customs, lifestyles, and religions. I can be helped in my understanding of life by the stranger. I know I do not have all the answers.Today I am prepared to listen.

Sustainer of all religions and philosophies, help me discover You in any differences.

7 things to Swap out to improve our Day-to-Day Lives.


What if the majority of the things we use for our day-to-day functioning can be made less harmful for our environment?

What if the only reason for not changing our behaviour is that it is so automatized, we simply don’t dedicate any thought to it?
All we need is to pause for a second.
Because in taking a closer look at our actions, we may realise many of them are fueled purely by our convenience and comfort, following the repetitive pattern of “buy-toss-buy-toss.” We’re uninterested in what happens to the waste after the product has served our purpose, and its wider implications.
Our daily habits and regular routines are the perfect places to zoom in when thinking about where and how to reduce waste production, reaching instead for more durable or sustainable alternatives.
And why should we care?
I think basic swaps like these are too easy not to make a little effort and give them a try.
They may be tiny steps, but if taken consistently by many of us, they will help relieve some of the incredible pressure on our planet. They will minimize plastic and trash in our daily life, save us money and the fuss of regularly purchasing certain goods, and make life simpler and us more self-sufficient—which gives us more reason to feel good about our choices.
The point is not perfection, but conscious behavioural choices that are sustainable for us in the long run.
  1. Fabric produce bags and totes.
I dream of a world when future generations will be shaking their heads in disbelief that in order to buy a bunch of carrots, their ancestors first put them in a plastic bag, given out in limitless numbers by every shop.
Retailers are at the heart of the plastic epidemic and are not tackling it sufficiently, so individuals may play a role by refusing plastic bags and bringing reusable alternatives. It helps to keep the produce bags visual and in various convenient places—hanging next to the door, at work, in the car, and one or two in your purse or backpack. Grab a bunch more when going to the farmer’s market or for bigger shopping trips.
Different sizes and materials will enable you to use them for almost any kind of produce from bread, oats, veggies, and dried fruits, to spices and flour. They also make great gifts and can be easily homemade from old sheets, shirts, curtains, or pieces of fabric that can’t serve a better purpose, if you want to get creative or upcycle what you already have.
  1. Reusable water bottle, keep cup, and thermos flask.
They’re good for staying hydrated at all times, enabling you to have your favourite Earl Grey tea or freshly ground coffee—and for enthusiasts, even smoothies. They’re always with you, whether you are at work, stuck in public transport, or on a long walk with your dog.
You no longer need to buy bottled water, only to wonder whether it contains plastic particles, or search for a place to get the beverage you are craving—just bring it from home. The good thing is, these can be refilled on the go at a public drinking water fountain, café, or gas station.
Materials, sizes, and styles are abundant, from stainless, glass, and bamboo, to double-walled and vacuum insulated, so you can go wild when choosing the right ones for you. Repurposing an old canning jar with a lid can also do the trick.
If humans worldwide produce almost 20,000 plastic bottles every second, can you imagine the yearly figure of the single-use plastic bottles (and to-go, plastic-lined paper cups) we’ll avoid by carrying our own? Now let’s imagine every person did this.
  1. Soap bars.
I haven’t bought any shower cream, shampoo, or liquid soap in a plastic container for over four years now, and consider it the best change I’ve ever made for multiple reasons.
I can support a small entrepreneur or family business, and even better, a local one, rather than some anonymous millionaire’s huge corporation. I’m using an all-natural product, free from questionable substances—and often, it’s also possible to opt for local ingredients within the product, which are cheaper, more accessible, and don’t need to be dragged from the other side of the world (think rosemary instead of shea butter).
Soap bars can be bought with no packaging whatsoever (or wrapped in paper), and in bulk. The decluttering effect on the bathroom is also worth a mention, when you discover all you really need is just two to three bars, instead of eight different plastic containers.
  1. Travel cutlery and chopsticks roll.
This is a great little helper that addresses the issue of disposable chopsticks and plastic cutlery when eating out. You can nest a set of each in your bag at all times. Wooden or bamboo reusable cutlery is ideal, due to its light weight. Supplement your set with a cotton napkin, or a reusable straw, if that’s your thing.
Wrap the used chopsticks and cutlery in your napkin, wash at home, and you’re all set for your next outing! If you love eating Thai and Vietnamese food like I do, this can really save a lot of resources.
  1. Good old handkerchiefs.
Just think of the classic damsel in distress, and a handsome gentleman hands her a soft, cotton hanky rather than a tissue. Our grandparents didn’t need Kleenex to blow their noses, so why should we?
Fabric will always feel more pleasant on your face than paper, which cannot be recycled, and unless composted, ends up in landfills or incinerated. Handkerchiefs are proven to be a greener option and can be used forever, with an easy wash on 60°C. Stock yourself up with a few, ask Mum if she has some hidden unused ones, or search through your grandma’s closet—this might be especially rewarding if you like retro vintage stuff! This was my move, and I now proudly have a cool collection, from military to my grandparents’ wedding hankies.
  1. Old cloth pieces instead of kitchen paper towels.
Having previously considered paper towels an absolute necessity in the kitchen, this one was a bit tricky for me, but slowly, it’s became an enjoyable habit. I have a jar with the clean ones and another jar with the used ones. I throw them in the machine with towels to be washed on 60°C once I run out of clean ones. It’s a perfect way to repurpose those old shorts—and even socks—by chopping them up!
  1. Takeaway and leftovers in your own containers.
You know those days—you are too exhausted or lazy (or both) to cook, or your husband nags you to go out for those Vietnamese noodles that you simply can’t replicate at home, so you pop over to the nearest restaurant to grab some takeaway.
No single Styrofoam container or tray has to be wasted for ordering takeaway or packing leftovers when eating out, if you bring a glass jar, Tupperware box, or silicone collapsible container in your bag.
Until more countries or cities impose bans, like the EU or New York City, we can avoid the huge polluter that Polystyrene is with little adjustments to our habits, taking no more than four seconds of additional planning and preparation.

No, a single person will not save the planet themselves just by adopting these habits.

But they are little changes that easily avoid waste, and any of us can begin to do them immediately. If we incorporate them into our routines, they will make a difference—it all adds up, collectively.
Think about it, if we can lessen our environmental footprint while simplifying our already complicated lives, saving environmental and financial resources along the way, shouldn’t we be all in?
~
AUTHOR: MONIKA ZOLLEROVA
IMAGE: @ECOFOLKS
IMAGE: PIXABAY

The only effective way to stop Shaming & Aggression.



You cannot really eliminate pain through aggression. The more you kill, the more you strengthen the killer who will create new things to be killed. The aggression grows until finally there is no space: the whole environment has been solidified.” ~ Chögyam Trungpa

This is how we stop aggression and shaming:

For more Mindful Life videos, go to elephantjournal.com/talkshow.
IMAGE: VALERIA C★PREISLER ON FLICKR
IMAGE: @WAYLONLEWIS ON INSTAGRAM

NUGGETS OF WISDOM - 238



  • ·       "When Material Sons, the biologic uplifters, begin their sojourn on an evolutionary world, their place of abode is often called the Garden of Eden because it is characterized by the floral beauty and the botanic grandeur of Edentia,
    the constellation capital."
    ·       “A few simple tips for life: feet on the ground, head to the skies, heart open-quiet mind.” —Rasheed Ogunlaru
    ·       "Every flower must grow through dirt." - Author Unknown
    ·       “Mindfulness is a way of befriending ourselves and our experience.” —Jon Kabat-Ziin
    ·       "A living faith in the superhuman origin of our ideals validates our belief that we are the sons of God and makes real our altruistic convictions, the feelings of the brotherhood of man."
    ·       A clear conscience is a sure card. – John Lyly
    ·       Remembering the past gives power to the present. – Faye Myenne Ng
    ·       "It is most unfortunate that those who have come to venerate the divine and risen Christ should have overlooked the man - the valiant and courageous hero - Joshua ben Joseph."
    ·       “Endeavor to see the good in every situation.” —Unknown
    ·       “To love without knowing how to love, wounds the person we love.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh 
    ·       “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” —Buddha
    ·       "Remember all I have taught you and the life I have lived among you. My love overshadows you, my spirit will dwell with you, and my peace shall abide upon you." – Jesus

Saturday, 29 June 2019

World


"All wars are civil wars, because all persons are brothers and sisters. . . . Each one owes infinitely more to the human race than to the particular country in which one was born." Francois Fenelon

The disease of addiction kept me separate, isolated, and alone. I was so busy seeing how I was different from other people that I missed the similarities. I missed the oneness of creation by always placing myself above it, below it, or outside it; and I was the loser. Even my religion kept me separate. By being Christian, I was not a Jew, Muslim or Hindu. As such, I failed to see the similarities of these major philosophies. I also failed to recognize what all religious people have in common: the inclusiveness of Love, Truth and Forgiveness. God is found in the difference and sameness of all people.

Dear God, I am discovering that differences, when understood, become similarities.

On this day of your life



I believe God wants you to know ...

... that true ambition is not what you thought it was.

Bill, the man who co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous,
said that, and he was right. "True ambition," he said, "is
the profound desire to live usefully and walk humbly
under the grace of God."

What is your ambition for today? What is on the top
of your priority list? What are you hoping to do today?
What are you hoping to be?

Your answer to this question will create not just the
day, but you.

Remember You Are In The World But Not Of It (EC)



Keep your eye fixed on the Light and refuse to see any darkness and you shall go forth in victory and overcome the ways of the world. The greater the chaos and confusion all around the more time you will have to spend in the stillness and in the silence to counteract the ways of the world.

Remember you are in the world but not of it, so do not allow yourself to be tempted by the things of the world. Raise your consciousness and let your mind be stayed on Me and be at perfect peace.

Yogis of Tibet (OM)



Every day we can incorporate actions into our lives similar to that of the great yogis of Tibet.


The word "yogi" means "to realize the wisdom of pure awareness." To do this, the yogis of Tibet practice Tibetan Buddhist meditation techniques. They have gained a level of mastery that makes it possible for them to practice in isolation for periods of one to three years. During this time, they focus their complete attention on connecting with spirit and gain an extraordinary level of control over their minds and bodies. We may not want to focus on one activity for one to three years, but there are principles that the yogis of Tibet live by that we can apply to our lives.

Like all yogis, we can make it a priority to connect with spirit. A few moments spent focusing our attention inward can allow us to see life with fresh eyes. We can also expand our view of the world by educating ourselves like the yogis do before they attain yogic mastery. Yogis study not only spiritual disciplines, but they also study science, philosophy, the arts, and medicine. Another way to emulate the yogis of Tibet is to focus our minds on positive thoughts that affirm the well-being of the planet. Yogis chant prayers for the well-being of the world even while doing tasks that don't require their full concentration. It is through chanting, positive thoughts, and meditation that we learn to have compassion, feel empathy, and look for the good in every situation. We also become aware of our ability to create change in the world with our thoughts, actions, and intentions.

The yogis of Tibet have been called "supreme artists of life" for their ability to treat every situation like a spiritual endeavor. As we aspire to express the same art of patience, compassion, and peace in our lives, we too can radiate the tranquility, warmth, and joy attributed to these spiritual masters.

11 Things I’ve had to Learn—Over & Over Again.


It is the human way to not quite get it the first time.

Or the second, third, or fourth time, for that matter.
Why is it that we must come to the same conclusions over and over again? Will any of us ever relearn enough life lessons to actually make changes or finally think differently?

There are some themes that rise to the surface repeatedly—realizations we need to remember:

1. Less is moreAlways. We purge, we buy. We buy some more, then we purge again. We declare to the world that we will live as minimalists, and we try to let go of what doesn’t serve us, yet the lure of shiny, new “things” keeps us coming back for more. Why can’t we learn to just say no to excess stuff?
2. Money solves (almost) nothing. Most of us think money will solve some of our problems. It certainly solves our care and keeping issues, such as food on our tables and roofs over our heads. But once our basic needs are met, money doesn’t do a whole heck of a lot except “enhance” our lifestyle with material clutter. Having extra things doesn’t solve depression, or a lack of motivation.
We can’t buy our way into a lasting relationship. Money doesn’t alleviate waning passion and it doesn’t feed our creativity. It may make us feel secure, but it can’t be exchanged for happiness.
3. No other person will ever love us better or more than we love ourselves. And we shouldn’t expect them to. We live in our own bodies and minds. We are born alone, and we die alone. It is important to cultivate a quality relationship with our true self because it’s the only one that lasts from birth to death. Prioritizing emotional and physical self-care is the key to prosperity, but we must be reminded to do so.
4. We cannot fix other people. We think we can, but we can’t. We may love them above and beyond. We may push them to get treatment, or make them aware of unhealthy patterns and choices. We may choose to stay, or we can leave, but neither action will fix a broken person. People “projects” are total energy sappers.
5. Being blunt is always better than being passive-aggressive. Even if it hurts a little. Being direct is the respectful way to communicate, because it doesn’t waste anyone’s time. Making people guess how we’re feeling is selfish. It’s better to rip the Band-Aid off clean than to slowly and painfully peel it.
6. If you eat sh*t, you will feel like sh*t, and then you will look like sh*t (eventually). Why must we learn this one over and over again? Crap goes in, crap comes out. Of course, we all want the unhealthy stuff occasionally, but if we are consistent with clean eating habits, other habits like getting enough sleep and exercise tend to fall into line.
7. Art, in every form, matters. Expression matters. Being “moved” by art leads us in new directions. It sets the stage for new perspectives. To indifferently walk by an artist busking in the street, sharing his talent and spirit with all who pass by, is to dismiss humanity. Edgy, interesting, ugly, beautiful, unique—art matters because it feeds human emotion. Appreciating creative expression is a mindful practice.
8. Lies are poison. Lies do not serve anyone in the long run, the short run, or anywhere in between. Something we seemingly need to learn throughout our lifetime is that the truth is our most valuable resource. And if we live it, we can teach it too.
“A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.” ~ Winston Churchill
9. Truth requires courage. Telling the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth is the scariest, bravest thing we ever do throughout our lives. It doesn’t matter if our truth is big or small. When we are truthful with ourselves and others, we live authentically, and with integrity.
Amy Schumer said something in one of her bits about her husband being on the autism spectrum and the fact that he cannot lie, ever, about anything. He simply blurts out the truth, and that’s what she finds most endearing about him. Truth is a powerful lesson, and we realize it repeatedly.
10. Our soul stays hungry unless we feed it. Hungry for adventure and experiences. Hungry for enlightenment and peace. For savoring the present moments and not dwelling on the past or pining for the future. What we outwardly crave the most is vitality and connection, and learning to feed our hunger again and again fuels what we clearly seek as human beings: happiness.
11. We don’t need a bathing suit to go swimming. In other words, we don’t need much at all to do the things we love or want to try. We don’t need special equipment or boots to go for a hike. We don’t need music or candles to enjoy some yoga. And we don’t need to go out for fancy dinners to catch up with friends. Waiting for moments of perfect timing and/or having everything we need in order to do what we want is a waste. The clock keeps ticking, and we don’t get to turn it back.
Can you name a few lessons you’ve learned again and again throughout your lifetime? The enlightenment we seek is often found in the realizations that rise repeatedly, right in front of us.
We would all be a bit wiser (and perhaps happier too!) to commit some of them to heart and memory.
~
AUTHOR: KIMBERLY VALZANIA
IMAGE: @ELEPHANTJOURNAL/INSTAGRAM