Notable Quotes #57

November 25, 2008
Notable Quotes #57

Good Afternoon!

It has been a while since the last Notable Quotes and for that I apologize.  However I am back today and ready to share my thoughts.  Here are the quotes:

In the attitude of silence the soul finds the path in a clearer light,
and what is elusive and deceptive resolves itself into crystal clearness. 
Our life is a long and arduous quest after Truth.
Mahatma Gandhi 

True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.
William Penn

Interesting quotes huh!?!  This week often marks the beginning of one of the most stressful times in our lives…the Holidays!  We have Thanksgiving, Christmas and wrapping things up with New Years.  It may not seem like many items, but throw in multiple dinners with family, work parties, decorating for Thanksgiving, and then decorating for Christmas…gift buying, gift giving, Christmas dinner or dinners, cleaning prior to and after all the parties, and how does Santa really know where to drop off the gifts for all the kids?!?  The holidays can quickly become a time of stress, anger, fear and loneliness.  This is where “SILENCE” comes into play.

When was the last time you just sat in complete and utter silence?  By silence I mean no noise, no music (even smooth jazz), your mind and your thoughts.  This past weekend I spent four days in the woods being an unsuccessful deer hunter, but I was able to spend hours in the silence of nature.  It was difficult at first only because as humans we are not accustomed to silence, but as the time went by, the silence became sweeter and sweeter.  I don’t believe I was ever in complete silence because I had thoughts racing through my mind, but as the time went on I focused more and more on releasing those thoughts and becoming completely silent.  Even though I was tired from hunting, I felt more refreshed than ever and looked forward to what is to come! 

I am currently reading a book entitled “Finding the Still Point”.  It is a beginners guide to Zen mediation…some of you may think I have gone off the deep end, but being able to be still and silent in today’s society is a lost art; in turn we are running the rat race at an ever increasing speed and often feel like we are going nowhere.  Finding the “still point” allows us to recharge and renew our mind as well as enables us to be more focused and reduces our stress level(s).  Here is an interesting excerpt from the book:

“Every other creature on the face of the earth seems to know how to be quiet and still.  A, butterfly on a leaf; a cat in front of the fireplace; even a hummingbird comes to rest sometime.  But humans are constantly on the go.  We seem to have lost the ability to just be quiet, to simply be present in the stillness that is the foundation of our lives.  Yet if we never get in touch with that stillness, we never fully experience our lives.  All creatures on the earth are capable of manifesting this stillness.”

During this holiday season I encourage us all to take 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes in the evening and just be still and sit in silence.  When things get crazy (you know they will!!!) take a couple of minutes, remove yourself from the situation, be still and breathe!  I honestly believe that if we all take 20 minutes out of our day and be still, our holidays will be better than ever.  Don’t go so fast this season that you miss the season.  Enjoy this time of year and make it a season to remember!

Until Next Time,
Heath

Notable Quotes #56

November 11, 2008
Notable Quotes #56

Good Afternoon!

I hope that this set of Notable Quotes finds everyone doing well…I know I missed last week which happened to be Nov. 4th…(Election day)  Without any delay here are the quotes:

“Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. The man who does not shrink from self-crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. This is true of earthly as of heavenly things. Even the man whose object is to acquire wealth must be prepared to make great personal sacrifices before he can accomplish his object; and how much more so he who would realize a strong and well-poised life.”
James Allen 

“Beware of endeavoring to become a great man in a hurry. One such attempt in ten thousand may succeed. These are fearful odds.”
Benjamin Disraeli

I have been thinking a lot recently…that may come as a surprise to a few of you!  I have been thinking and re-reading some of the past Notable Quotes and it has dawned on me that much of what I am writing and conveying are things that are meant to bring instant or at least short term results.  I believe that these items are good and I believe that there is a place and a time for these items to be shared, but I also believe that changing one’s direction in life cannot be an over-night change.  It is more of a journey, which by definition is “a traveling from one place to another, usually taking a rather long time.” 

These two quotes have made a real impact on me.  While it is possible to become a “great man in a hurry”, the odds are against us, and while I firmly believe we need to stretch ourselves and beat the odds, we must not lose focus of what our ultimate goals are.  While we may want things to happen in 3, 6 or 9 months, the truth is, some things take notable longer to obtain and much more work than can ever be done in a short period of time.  Sacrifices will most likely have to be made and hard work will most definitely need to take place.  I think know I would be doing a great disservice not only to the readers of Notable Quotes but to myself if I give the impression that life change can happen in the blink of an eye.  I believe that there are foundational aspects that we must possess and continually work on in order to facilitate the change we desire.  I have written that our attitude is key…and I continue to believe that, however what goes into our attitude, how is our attitude shaped?  What else besides attitude is foundational?  These “foundational” aspects are what I am going to be working on over the next few weeks.  I will be sharing these thoughts with you in the coming months and I encourage your feedback.  If you have any ideas for Notable Quotes I would love to hear them. 

Here are some points to ponder…Are you looking at making any life altering change big or small?  What time frame have you set for yourself?  If you do not reach your goal(s) by the set date do you consider that a failure? (I hope not!)  Realize that change is a journey and not a destination and that while you are on the road of change things WILL come up, there WILL be bumps along the way and things WON’T always go as planned.  That’s OKAY!!!  Take solace and refuge in knowing that life itself is a journey and you are not traveling alone.  Also remember that there needs to be time set aside to recharge and rejuvenate yourself.  Even in my 5k race there was a water station at 1.5 miles.  Take advantage of those areas.  Don’t lose focus and most importantly have fun!

Until Next Time,
Heath