facebook 25 things..

Ever since the "write 25 things about me" started on Facebook, I have been inspired and moved by the lives and experiences of friends and sometimes strangers (whom have been kind enough to share with everyone). Although, I am pretty sure I am not ready to share these about myself with others, i am glad some are more courageous than I am.

I was however, encouraged to make such a list about myself for my own private viewing. Usually, I am the first to compliment someone else, and become awed and inspired by other's achievements. Making my own list of 25 things, made me realize just how amazing a person I am, and the tremendous things I have going for me in my life. This time I am awed at myself, I have a new found respect, joy and peace.

Below is a list from someone I dont know personally, but was very humbled by their 25 things.

1. I believe in making things happen, not waiting for things to happen - this sometimes gets me in trouble.
2. I think there is a little piece of God in all of us and we need to be Gods that know how to grow up.
3. I have been blessed with the most intelligent, thoughtful and beautiful bride, whatever I did to deserve her I will never understand.
4. My mother had a 'saying' on the wall for years. It said - "Vee get too soon olt and too late schmart" - I am beginning to understand it as true.
5. I do not like cats, dunno why.
6. I only get sunburns, never tan.
7. I am only old on the outside.
8. I love people, most are a disappointment.
9. We are much better at war then we are at peace.
10. Making love should take a looooong time.
11. When emotions go up, logic goes down.
12. Killing is wrong, killing over religion is absurd.
13. A penny saved is ...................... not much.
14. When times are hard - Never lose hope, but do something about it!
15. Children are wonderful, but they need to grow up & go away! (for you to keep your sanity).
16. Real friendships are forever.
17. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't .....................make him thirsty.
18. I love apple pie.
19. Most things that are bad for you are a lot of fun.
20. Reading is healthy!
21. Acts of kindness are often taken as a weakness - it's a shame.
22. Hard work can be a great thing.
23. If you live long enough you will face the things in life that brought you feelings of shame or embarrassment and be a better person.
24. I do not believe in government(s)
25. You can live a long time before you achieve 'balance', you then will live the rest of your life trying to maintain it.

Identity

"No self; no problem" Ajahn Jumnien (Thai forest teacher)

Self-respect

"Seek respect mainly from thyself, for it comes first from within." -- Steven H. Coogler

SELF

"To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance." - Oscar Wilde

On this note, the one idea that has been percolating in my brain is this: Perhaps the reason we tend to suffer is not because some external factor has changed or is causing us to suffer. Perhaps the reason we suffer is because we are not being gentle, or kind with ourselves. We are projecting this suffering to the outside world.

When I experience sadness or suffering (which I have noticed is independent of where I am or who I am with), what if I use this feeling as a cue to pull myself into gentle kindness, compassion, and humor for myself. Then project these onto others, putting aside arrogance, ego which make me judge and critice, instead, look for true affection and the true nature of others.

SELF

"What we are looking for is what is looking." - St. Francis of Assisi

"That which you are seeking is causing you to seek." - Cheri Huber

I find the logic behind these lines hard to understand, it comes to me for a flicker of a second, then its gone. I guess that is why I am still looking :-) I guess, when we are seeking in our lives, the "thing" we are seeking is really our true self.

Please feel free to comment if any of you have an understanding or opinion about this concept

We have that person inside us

"We'd all like to have someone who thinks we're wonderful, encourages us, and loves us unconditionally. We can be with that person all the time because we have that person inside us."- Cheri Huber

These lines resonate very well with the general train of thoughts running through my mind these days. Having recently found myself more alone than I have ever before been, this knowledge of self-love, self-respect, and self-care has been just the comfort I have needed. After all if one thinks about it, we are born alone and we die alone.

Discover one's self

"The only thing that really matters now is whether man can climb up to a higher moral level, to a higher plane of consciousness, in order to be equal to the superhuman powers which the fallen angels have played into our hands. But he can make no progress until he becomes very much better acquainted with his own nature."
Carl Jung