Wednesday 27 February 2013

Obstacles

Most of our obstacles would melt away 
if, instead of cowering before them, 
we should make up our minds 
to walk boldly through them. 
- Orison Swett Marden

Monday 25 February 2013

Allow

Get out of your own way for a moment, 
and give yourself over 
and trust in allowing things to be 
as they already are, 
without pursuing anything. 
 – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Friday 22 February 2013

Healing

As I love and respect myself, 
healing happens naturally.   
– Ambika Wauters

Wednesday 20 February 2013

Cope

Life is not the way it's supposed to be. 
It's the way it is. 
The way you cope with it 
is what makes the difference.
- Author Unknown

Monday 18 February 2013

Guilt

Guilt is the tension we feel 
to change our past, present, or future 
for someone else's sake.   
- Richard Bach

Friday 15 February 2013

February 15, 2013 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer


   We are now a month and a half into the new year.  How are you doing with your resolutions?  On track?  Or did you give up January 2nd?

   We often think that we can’t start something because the task is too big, or certain conditions need to be in place first.

   Actually it is often the start that stops us!  Once we get past that humungous hurdle, then we usually can continue.

   For example, if you decided to be more physically active this year, get up and walk across the room right now.  Congratulations!  You just started a new exercise program!

   Or maybe you resolved to lose weight – have a glass of water instead of a pop or coffee, or eat a few less bites of your snack or meal.  Congratulations!  You are on your way to reaching your weight loss goal!

   Did you decide to be more organized this year?  Right now, put one thing away, or recycle one piece of paper.  Congratulations!  You are getting more organized!

   If your resolution was really ambitious – like writing the great Canadian novel – then get a blank page (paper or on the computer) and write one word.  It doesn’t even matter what the word is, just write it.  Congratulations!  You’ve started your novel!

   Just take that first step, no matter how small, and you are on your way.  And if you get stalled, don’t worry.  Just keep going forward.  As the tortoise in the fable taught us, slow and steady does win the race.

Beth
 
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Kc7MSPyStO-o1UikPmmSMZW2A2SLf35K/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Path

The path begins and ends
 right where you are. 
 – Neale Donald Walsch

Monday 11 February 2013

Life

Life [is] about giving
 all you [have] 
to all that you [love], 
without hesitation, 
without question, 
without limitation.  
 – Neale Donald Walsch

Friday 8 February 2013

Simply

Previously, people led a calm and honest existence, detached from undue desire and ambition; they lived with an untainted conscience and without fear.  They were active, but never depleted themselves.  Because they lived simply, these individuals knew contentment, as reflected in their diet of basic but nourishing foods and attire that was appropriate to the season but never luxurious.  Since they were happy with their position in life, they did not feel jealousy or greed.  They had compassion for others and were helpful and honest, free from destructive habits.  They remained unshakable and unswayed by temptations, and they were able to stay centred even when adversity arose.  They treated others justly, regardless of their level of intelligence or social position. 
– Yellow Emperor

Wednesday 6 February 2013

Dream

Be careful what you water your dreams with. 
Water them with worry and fear 
and you will produce weeds 
that choke the life from your dream. 
Water them with optimism and solutions 
and you will cultivate success. 
Always be on the lookout for ways
 to turn a problem into an opportunity for success. 
Always be on the lookout for ways
 to nurture your dream.   
- Lao Tzu

Monday 4 February 2013

Nature

Have you ever seen an unhappy flower
or a stressed oak tree?  
 Have you come across a depressed dolphin, 
a frog that has a problem with self-esteem, 
a cat that cannot relax, 
or a bird that carries hatred and resentment? 
[Animals that] show signs of neurotic behaviour
 are those that live in close contact with humans… 
- Eckhart Tolle

Friday 1 February 2013

February 1, 2013 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer

   As I type this, I am not a happy person.  In fact, I’ve spent most of the past two days crying and screaming.  A friend reminded me to breathe and I told her one has to breathe in order to scream!

   For approximately the previous six months, my computer has developed a very uncooperative attitude.  When I get within a handful of hours (and the paper’s deadline is looming fast) of completing the paper to send it in to the print, my computer throws a temper tantrum and refuses to work properly. 

   Up to that mysterious point, I am able to work on the paper without any trouble at all.

   Yet, once the tantrum begins, things go south fast.  I’m able to open and work in any Word document I want, except if it is a submission for the paper.  I can open and reply to any email, except if it is a submission for the paper.  Photos, the same thing.  And, the paper file itself, very contrary.  So a couple hour task becomes a major effort, till it decides that it wants to work properly again.

   Needless to say, that does not help  my stress levels! 

   This time, instead of routinely saving the file, my computer rendered it inaccessible.  I had to totally recreate the paper from scratch,  and still I was faced with a tantrum at the same spot! (If something is missing, I apologize).

   I have no idea if anyone is even going to be able to read these words, so if you are reading this...it’s a miracle!

Beth
 
Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1dDDX8GBx3BZLU-iP-pE6hsX0twpDdaae/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.