Let Me Do It Now

You have heard it said*: 

“I expect to pass through this world but once.
Any good, therefore, that I can do,
or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now.

Let me not defer or neglect it
for I shall not pass this way again.”

And I say unto you that no greater truth can be spoken.

* Quaker Proverb

If All Things Be Regarded With Love

You have heard it said*: "If all things be regarded with love, Heaven and Earth are one with me."

But I say unto you: "If all things be regarded with love, the Kingdom of Heaven and this Earth are one and the same."



*So-shi

Love Is Our True Destiny

You have heard it said*: "Love is our true destiny.  We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone -- we find it with another."

But I say unto you: "Love is our true destiny.  We cannot find the meaning of life by ourselves alone -- we can only find it with, and through, each other."


*Thomas Merton

Countless Paths

You have heard it said*: "Countless paths
                                          lead to the mountain's summit
                                          yet from it
                                          the same moon shines
                                          over the land."

And I say unto you that this is the truth as is what I now say unto you: "Countless paths
                                                                                                                   lead to a view of God
                                                                                                                   yet from them all
                                                                                                                   the same God blesses
                                                                                                                   the people and the land."


*Ikkyu

Love Stays

You have heard it said*: "Love doesn't want people to stay ignorant and frightened.  Love doesn't value obedience over all else.  Love doesn't judge and find some lives - or loves - more valuable than others.  Love doesn't use people and throw them away.  Love stays, and makes you stronger, even when the person you love is gone." But I say unto you: "Love does not want people to stay ignorant and frightened. Love wants people to be enlightened and unafraid. "Love does not value obedience over all else.  Love values compassion and justice over obedience. "Love does not judge and find some lives - or loves - more valuable than others.  Love finds the presence of God in all lives and all loves. "Love does not use people and then throw them away.  Love values people and cherishes the positive contributions that they make. "Love stays and makes you stronger, even when the person you love leaves or is gone." "Love, after all, is omnipresent and is eternal. "Love never ends. "Love is God." *Stacey Jay

We Must Discover Truth

You have heard it said*: "We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."

And I say unto you: "We cannot simply receive truth.  We must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us nor spare us from making."


*Marcel Proust 

If You Need To Ask For Help

Here are my best answers today for the questions you posed yesterday:

Q.  If you need to ask for help and see that there is nothing that you could possibly offer, what do you do?

A.  You ask for help anyway.  The help you receive today may not benefit the one who helps you, but it does enable you to help others in the future, so please do ask for help.  Indeed, as your mother's life demonstrates, it is in asking for help that one actually may help the one who provides the help by allowing them to share a part of themselves with you.

Q.  If someone wants to see you but you do not want to see them what do you do?

A.  It depends upon the circumstances.  However, for most personal relationship situations, I have found that it is best not to see that person.  Seeing that person can only lead to "false hopes" and "prolonged pain".  Once a relationship is over, it is advisable to not encourage the other party.

Q.  If you want to see someone and they do not want to see you what do you do?

A.  Do not see them.  Seeing them will only give you "false hopes" and "prolonged pain".  A relationship that develops from such sentiments is likely to be abusive.  You deserve better than that.  Continue to search for someone who wants to "see" you.

Q.  If no one thinks it is possible should you think it is possible?

A.   In your heart you can feel it is possible, but your heart can mislead you.  Look at the reality of the relationship.  Was there a mutual level of attraction?  Was there a mutual desire to be together?  Was there an equality in the relationship?  If not, it may mean that one party is taking advantage of the other party.  That is an abusive relationship and it should not be condoned.

Q.   When should you suppress your feelings and when should you express them when dealing with matters of the heart?

A.   You should suppress your feelings when expressing them would injure someone, including one's self.  You should express them when there is a reasonable expectation of reciprocity.

Q.   Do nothing... wait...strive to improve yourself.

A.    "Do nothing."  Life is too short.  Be proactive in seeking out your happiness.  Do not "Do nothing."   "Wait."  At the end of every relationship, there should be a period of mourning.  The period may be as long as a year.  For some, it may be longer.   However, I advise not to wallow in the mourning for too long.  Life is short, get up... get out... enjoy life as fully as you can now.  "Strive to improve yourself."  Always.  Mentally, physically, and spiritually, always strive to improve yourself.   

Hope all of this helps.  Please feel free to ask more.