Who You Really Are…
“But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake.” —Pema Chödrön
While enjoying Easter brunch with a friend, we spoke about a book she was reading on being true to yourself, just as you are, and how freeing this can be.
Then, a phone call last night with one of my nephews reminded me of how young children naturally do this. They are wholly and utterly themselves.
Sharing stories about my great-nephew’s recent three-year-old melt downs, you could hear the unconditional love Chris had for his son. Even if we’re blessed to experience that kind of love, life often gives us ways to create stories about how worthy of love we are.
Buddhist nun Pema Chödrön reminds us can let those stories go:
“We already have everything we need. There is no need for self-improvement. All these trips that we lay on ourselves–the heavy duty fearing that we’re bad and hoping that we’re good, the identities that we dearly cling to, the rage, the jealousy and the additions of all kinds—never touch our basic wealth. They are like clouds that temporarily block the sun. But all the time our warmth and brilliance are right here. This is who we really are. We are one blink of an eye away from being fully awake.”
—Pema Chödrö
Like the white tulip that boldly unfolds and shines amidst all of the fuchsia ones, we too can allow ourselves to joyously shine this spring, no matter what we think needs to be improved upon.
May you remember who you really are. And may you be blessed by divine synchronicities that show you God always remembers, even when you forget.
Love Revealed
“I learned that the power had never been in my losses or the obstacles that arise in life, but in the love revealed through them.”
― Paula D’Ar
Self Care
“Self-care is never a selfish act—it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer to others.”
― Parker Palmer
It’s a Decision
“I don’t think that loving yourself is a choice. I think that it’s a decision that has to be made for survival.”
― Lizzo
If Prayer Would Do It
If prayer would do it
I’d Pray.
If reading esteemed thinkers would do it
I’d be halfway through the Patriarchs.
If discourse would do it
I’d be sitting with His Holiness
every moment he was free.
If contemplation would do it
I’d have translated the Periodic Table
to hermit poems, converting
matter to spirit.
If even fighting would do it
I’d already be a blackbelt.
If anything other than love could do it
I’ve done it already
and left the hardest for last.
—Stephen Levine, from Breaking the Drought
May love bring you peace.
