RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (Full Version)

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zenmember -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/16/2007 7:10:42 AM)

Worry was once explained to me as being 'confused thinking'



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/16/2007 5:00:46 PM)

[:'(]GARBAGE CAN BECOME MULCH[:)][:)]IF WE WILL ALLOW IT!!

Each of us go through those times in life when there seems to be one calamity after another. In the midst of one of those times, a very dear friend gave me the above to "hang on to with hope." Often times, when we are in the midst of the putrid, rotting stench of what seems to be one pile of garbage after another we do not see how anything good could possibly come out of it. Yet, it is when garbage is at it's most putrid stage[:'(][:'(] that it begins to become mulch[;)][;)].



Solomon -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/17/2007 2:13:54 PM)

Expanding on I'menuff's post, it takes time for the garbage to become mulch.

Sometimes thing's don't work out in the way you want. That's OK. They're working for your greater good, which doesn't always coincide with what you want.



bookdragon -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/19/2007 7:36:40 PM)

Gratefulness to me is giving back to the people around me. Whether I help the lady across the street carry in her groceries or smile to the cashier at the grocery store-even when I don't want to-for me that is being grateful. When I am angry and carrying a resentment towards someone-I need to pray for them to recieve everything I think I want. My initial prayer is for them to go to heaven-right now! LOL Don't think God has ever answered that one, but it changes, over time to a prayer for health, happiness and peace for that person.
 
I read a lot of Mother Teresa's writings and I love her message of treating everyone as if they were Jesus. She believed that all of us carry Him with us and when we treat someone with love and respect, we are treating Jesus with love and respect. When we treat someone with contempt and anger-it is really Jesus that we are treating like that. That makes me stop and think, before I respond with anger towards someone.
 
Kahilil Gibran had a similar belief. He said that we all carried the flame of God within and we needed to nurture that flame.
 
'Nough out of me-I could go on all night like this.
 
 



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/19/2007 10:32:25 PM)

Dear Lyla,

Welcome to the forum. I had to chuckle when I read
quote:

My initial prayer is for them to go to heaven-right now! LOL Don't think God has ever answered that one


There is another version of that prayer that I have sometimes seriously thought --May they die a happy death--and soon.[:)] or better yet, maybe I should put [:@] when I feel that way. There is an Indian (India) greeting/salutation "Namaste" that in it's religious sense means the equivalent of "I bow to the life spirit within you that is also within me." It is a good reminder when meeting someone I ordinarily find wearisome, difficult, or threatening, although my normal response at those times seems more often to be [:@]. It is used much more often by me as a very special greeting.

So, Lyla, although I DO NOT[:)] find you wearisome, difficult, or threatening, I do say WELCOME, and NAMASTE!



bookdragon -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/19/2007 10:46:44 PM)

Thanks for the welcome, I'menuff-like your screen name, btw. I like your version of the prayer, too-a happy death-lol.

Namaste, Lyla[sm=kiss.gif]



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/21/2007 6:13:08 PM)

Namaste, Lyla,

I have to ask, what does btw mean. I honestly don't have a clue. Please continue to share your wisdom with all of us.



bookdragon -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/21/2007 7:36:55 PM)

Greetings, I'menuff and everyone. btw means "by the way".
 
As far as my wisdom, it is really a gathering of sharing from other people, things I've read and gut feelings of what is right for me.  I am a recovering alcoholic and attend a support group on a regular basis. Believe me when I say, my gratefulness comes from my sobriety and the God of my understanding. Those things come from all the people that went before me and shared their experience, strength and hope with myself and others.
 
Hope everyone is having a wonderful day.
Lyla[:D]



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/23/2007 9:11:34 AM)

Good Morning, Lyla,
Thank you for explaining "btw". I did not want to misinterpret someting you had written. [&o]
quote:

it is really a gathering of sharing from other people, things I've read and gut feelings of what is right for me.
Each of us stands on the shoulders of the wisdom and sharing of others. That is what makes forums like this so valuable. We each are exposed to totally different groups of people who can provide a little piece of what our gut feelings tell us is right for each us. We truly all are a world community that is made whole by the "little pieces" we share with each other.[;)][;)]



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/23/2007 9:17:50 AM)

Thank you to our newest member of the forum, garysgirl1010, (Lolly) who has this quote pasted on the top of her personal webpage.

quote:

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything you gave me." -- Erma Bombeck



garysgirl1010 -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/23/2007 11:26:44 PM)

Imenuff,

The Erma Bombeck quote is brilliant, isn't it?  I'm glad you liked it well enough to share it here.

Thanks for making me feel welcomed!




Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/24/2007 8:56:29 PM)

Dear Lolly,

The quote truly is brilliant.[8|] Please feel free to share any more you come across.[:)] I am pleased that you feel welcomed. Please come back often.

Have a very blessed weekend[;)][;)]!



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/28/2007 6:06:05 AM)

Every adversity carries within it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.



bookdragon -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/28/2007 9:03:42 PM)

Every adversity carries within it the seed of equal or greater benefit.

Wow, what  powerful statement! I can relate to that in an unusual way. My husband got into some trouble when he was a young man. He served five years in prison and says that being arrested made him stop and take stock of his life. When he realized that his life was going nowhere, he decided to make changes and he has been sober 28 years. He has fulfilled the lifelong dream of being a truck driver and we have been married for 22 years.
 
I was talking to a friend of mine and she asked me if I was contented with my life. When I look at my life today, I realize that I really do have everything I need and a few of my wants. I volunteer as an adult reading tutor, am sober 23 years, take 12 step meetings into the local prison and work in a field that I love. I have roof over my head, food in the fridge and my vehicle is paid for and it runs! I have friends all over the world-thanks to the internet-and my family invites me over for get togethers. Wow-I REALLY have a LOT to be grateful for!
 
It is amazing what God has wrought in my life. I was a drunk with no friends and the family wanted nothing to do with me. I just knew I would never marry or have a family. God sent me to a 12 step program, helped find the people I needed to help me have a better life and has blessed me with the gift of sharing what was given to me with others.
 
Blessings on all.
Lyla



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/30/2007 8:22:17 AM)

Dear Lyla, Thank you for your post. It so honestly gives weight to the statement Every adversity carries within it the seed of equal or greater benefit. [;)] May I respond to it with another quote
quote:

For Our God who is mighty has done great things in you and holy is our God's Name!!
. I am sure you are a real gift to the women in prison. Generally, they are so down on themselves[:'(][:'(] and are so accustomed to people looking on them in an extremely negative way. I know you visits and being able to see value in them means a lot to them.
Namaste, Lyla



bookdragon -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (8/30/2007 11:38:22 PM)

Thanks, I'menuff
Actually, the prison I go into is a men's prison. It is the one my husband was incarcerated in 28 years ago. We really enjoy it and the guys appreciate our coming out there and bring them a meeting. I would love to go to a women's prison, but the closest one is about 7 or 8 hours away-not doable-at least by me.

Well, I am at work, so I guess I ought to actually DO some work! LOL

Lyla



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (9/1/2007 11:57:30 AM)

Dear Lyla,I am sorry I misread your post. My own years doing work in a women's prison probably colored my reading of your post and just assuming that you, too, worked in a women's prison. The gratitude of the prisoner's is definitely a gift to all those who come. There is a book called "Chicken Soup for the Prisoner's Soul." It is a compilation of "stories" written by incarcerated individuals. You might enjoy reading it.
I don't know if you have a branch where you live, but there is something called REC Retreats--Residents Encounter Christ. This is a weekend retreat that is given at prisons for the incarcerated. I was privileged to participate in one last year at the maximum security men's prison about a four hour drive from here. If you do a google search you might want to search for "residents encounter Christ - florida." All of the men on retreat were either in for life, no parole, or on death row. It is truly a powerful experience and I believe, even more a gift for those presenting the retreat than those attending.

May you be blessed in your work and have a nonlaborious weekend.



J1937 -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (9/2/2007 11:13:50 AM)

I´d like to share with you the text of a song that has recently deeply touched me. It´s by Thich Nhat Hanh, who used it with children; that´s why it is so wonderfully simple, yet profound. The gestures which go with it come naturally, in accordance with the words.
"breathing in
breathing out
breathing in
breathing out
I am blooming as a flower
I am fresh as the dew
I am solid as a mountain
I am firm as the earth
I am free

Breathing in
breathing out
breathing in
breathing out
I am water reflecting
what is real, what is true
and I feel there is space
deep inside of me
I am free
I am free
I am free"

It can be done in a group as well as on one´s own. Sorry I can´t share the tune with you![:(]

Juliana



Hildegard -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (9/2/2007 12:03:55 PM)

Thank you, Juliana, for refreshing my memory of this song I heard some years ago. I can only second what you say about it!

Edda



Imenuff -> RE: PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM (9/2/2007 2:07:07 PM)

Juliana, thank you for posting the song by Thich Nhat Hanh. He is one of my favorites. You are correct. It so often is the wonderfully simple that carries the most profound messages.

Namaste, Juliana



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