Do Not Be Afraid

Though I choose to spend 

a good bit of time alone,

I do question the quality of it.

This quote encourages me to

strengthen my intention

and be more conscious

of how the time unfolds.

It's way too easy to reach

for distractions and get 

lost in what others say and do.

Sinking down into my own

material is much more challenging.

It's summoning the courage to believe

its worthy of the effort.

kastilwell

 

People Who Sincerely Search

 Even for those who are awkward at loving,

because loving can be hard,

especially when one is caught

in that place of friction

between your own wants and needs

and the wants and needs

or the less than ideal behavior of

those you love.

Loving someone you strongly disagree with

or whose behavior you deem intolerable

can be the most challenging. 

So much easier to give up and harden your heart.

I believe it comes down to

seeking to understand

rather than to dominate.

May we all continue 

our own unique sincere search

"toward more love and union...

in ever widening circles."

kastilwell

Trust Yourself

I sat with this awhile before deciding to share this.

 "Trust thyself:"

was the line that captured me.

I'm struck by how the language,

though dated,

 holds such eloquence.

"...not cowards fleeing before a revolution,

but guides, redeemers, and benefactors..."

was another phrase that stood out.

It strengthens my heart to think of us this way.

May we stay gentle and strong.

kastilwell

How To Hold Regret Tenderly

I started to say, my typical response

to regret is to deny it, when I remembered

David Whyte's essay on the matter in his book, Consolations.

"Sincere regret may, in fact, be a faculty for paying attention to the future, 

for sensing a new tide where we missed a previous one, 

for experiencing timelessness with a grandchild where we neglected a boy of our own.

 To regret fully is to appreciate how high the stakes are in even the average human life. 

Fully experienced, regret turns our eyes, attentive and alert, 

to a future possibly lived better than our past."

He does have a way with thoughts and words.

I'm noting what a gift it is to have

people who can share their thoughts and feelings

through eloquent words by sharing their humanity

with their readers who calibrate their thinking and living,

contributing untold value to the River of Goodness.

kastilwell

 

Taking In The Good

 "taking in the good."

Not only looking at the bright side,

but taking it in...letting it sink

into your bones so it becomes 

part of you to carry onward 

in your molecules.  

"Stepping into the landscape more fully

with your imagination and your presence."

Exchanging life with the plants and trees and atmosphere

with every inhale and exhale

in an alternating rhythm--

a duet of reciprocity.

kastilwell

Even With The Magnitude Before Us

https://onbeing.org/programs/seeing-the-generative-story-of-our-time/#transcript

"to take ourselves more seriously,

to act like the ecosystem

the world needs us to be"

Definition:An ecosystem is a geographic area 

where plants, animals, and other organisms, 

as well as weather and landscapes, 

work together to form a bubble of life.

"joining our vulnerabilities,

and joining our flourishing."

Instead of social media bubbles that divide

we are creating a bubble of life

that includes all.  

kastilwell

 

Seeing How Ordinary It is

 I am moved by this reminder

of how powerful quiet dignity and decency are

AND

how plentiful.

We tend to stop seeing the commonplace,

the ordinary, the everyday grace.

Let's remember. 

Let's cherish this.

Let's notice it.

Let's live it with full attention.

kastilwell