Thank you, Naomi. I wrote this as a means to figure out what I am trying to say at this Solarpunk Conference. I am a presenter later this month and my topic is "Self-Compassion as a Starting Place to Address Climate Change." This piece of contemplative writing really helped me get some of my basic thoughts together around the topic. Often, when I don't know what it is that I am trying to say, I have to get out of the way and let that deeper self come out as you often talk about in your own writing. Thank you for your kind words.
What a powerful piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I was especially struck by the quote "No one has ever found healing or self-betterment by declaring war on themselves." Such a profound statement.
Thank you, Anne. I appreciate that you found a line that held some resonance. I firmly believe that Carl Roger's line of “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change.” If I declare war on myself in an effort to change, even if I win, I still lose. Self-compassion is counter to the process we learn in a world of domination. The belief being: If we dominate nature, we can control it. If we dominate others, we can control them. If we dominate ourselves, we can control ourselves. But it's a funny thing, the more we try to control the more effort we must exert in order to maintain that control, until eventually we don't have the energy to sustain the effort. However, if we make good friends with nature, others, and ourself, and work together where no one is in control in a domination sense of the word, then we are all in mutual collaboration and change can still occur. The closed fist can never recieve but the open palm holds the world. Thank you for sharing what was meaningful for you.
This was such a wonderful expression. I feel lighter and happier after reading it. If we can approach life from love, then it's a lot simpler and clearer, how to walk in this world.
Love is a kind of freedom. If I love myself, love others, and love my experience of the here-and-now, then I can walk more freely and lighter. It does not mean that we are indifferent to all things that occur and make no effort to better our lives. We still need boundaries and no matter how enlightened we are, sitting on a tack still hurts. But, it means that we approach all things with openness and acceptance for what is so that we may embrace it. In that embrace, we also see the potential for positive change that is facilitated by love instead of forced by domination. I am so glad that this piece made you feel lighter and happier. I believe it is one of my personal favorites so far.
I really enjoyed reading this. Wise, kind, spacious . . . true. Inspired cleaner breathing!
Thank you, Naomi. I wrote this as a means to figure out what I am trying to say at this Solarpunk Conference. I am a presenter later this month and my topic is "Self-Compassion as a Starting Place to Address Climate Change." This piece of contemplative writing really helped me get some of my basic thoughts together around the topic. Often, when I don't know what it is that I am trying to say, I have to get out of the way and let that deeper self come out as you often talk about in your own writing. Thank you for your kind words.
What a powerful piece of writing. Thank you for sharing this with the world. I was especially struck by the quote "No one has ever found healing or self-betterment by declaring war on themselves." Such a profound statement.
Thank you, Anne. I appreciate that you found a line that held some resonance. I firmly believe that Carl Roger's line of “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I change.” If I declare war on myself in an effort to change, even if I win, I still lose. Self-compassion is counter to the process we learn in a world of domination. The belief being: If we dominate nature, we can control it. If we dominate others, we can control them. If we dominate ourselves, we can control ourselves. But it's a funny thing, the more we try to control the more effort we must exert in order to maintain that control, until eventually we don't have the energy to sustain the effort. However, if we make good friends with nature, others, and ourself, and work together where no one is in control in a domination sense of the word, then we are all in mutual collaboration and change can still occur. The closed fist can never recieve but the open palm holds the world. Thank you for sharing what was meaningful for you.
This was such a wonderful expression. I feel lighter and happier after reading it. If we can approach life from love, then it's a lot simpler and clearer, how to walk in this world.
Love is a kind of freedom. If I love myself, love others, and love my experience of the here-and-now, then I can walk more freely and lighter. It does not mean that we are indifferent to all things that occur and make no effort to better our lives. We still need boundaries and no matter how enlightened we are, sitting on a tack still hurts. But, it means that we approach all things with openness and acceptance for what is so that we may embrace it. In that embrace, we also see the potential for positive change that is facilitated by love instead of forced by domination. I am so glad that this piece made you feel lighter and happier. I believe it is one of my personal favorites so far.