Friday, 30 December 2011

Home

Our mind does not know the way,
Our heart has already been there,
And our soul never left.   
Welcome home!   
- Emmanuel

email: thechautauqua@gmail.com

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

Life

Life is real!  Life is earnest! 
And the grave is not its goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returned,
Was not spoken of the soul.   
– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Monday, 26 December 2011

Yes

If we always say "yes," 
we run a great danger 
of severing relationships 
than if we refuse right away. 
- Vicky Hitzges

Friday, 23 December 2011

Sun

The sun does not use the excuse of clouds 
to stop shining its light, 
for it knows that the clouds 
will always come and go.   
– David Simon

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Proof


What you do 
simply serves as the proof 
of what you believe. 
- Simon Sinek

Monday, 19 December 2011

Memories

The wise use memories, 
but do not allow memories to use them. 
–Vedic expression

Friday, 16 December 2011

December 16, 2011 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer
  
  ‘Tis the season of Christmas.  A season of gift buying and gift giving.  Some of the gifts will be simple, while others will be very elaborate or expensive.  Some people will be overwhelmed with gifts, while others will be fortunate if they receive one.  Some gifts will be treasured, while others will be set aside to be returned or exchanged.  Some gifts won’t be a tangible item, but rather money or a gift card.

   At this special time of year, we should remember that the most important gifts we receive, can’t be put in a box and wrapped.

 It's being alive that makes you rich. - Mike Dooley

   The true gifts we receive are what make us rich.  The gift of life, of opening our eyes to a brand new day, is the most precious gift we receive, not just at Christmas time, but all year round.  The air we breathe is gift we should give thanks for continuously.  Family and friends are another gift we receive throughout the year.

Only giving creates human dignity.
Only giving opens up the soul.
Only giving can miraculously change a life.
Only giving works at soul level
and radiates outward to every area of your experience.
Only givers get.
Only givers live a truly fulfilled, powerful,
positive, happy and deeply meaningful life.
- Author Unknown

   We can also give precious gifts to others.  Never underestimate the powerful effect of a gift of a smile on another person.  It is a gift that fits all people and all situations.  And it is even better if it is exchanged!

   We receive precious gifts every day of our lives.  Let us share our gifts, even if it is “only” a smile with everyone we encounter.
   
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B36MoFv2yNOr51gxejzd0wx5airB2JU_/view?usp=sharing

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

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Laws

Four Immutable Laws of Spirit
1. Whoever shows up are exactly 
the right people to show up.
2. When it happens is 
exactly the right time.
3. Whatever happens is the only thing 
that could have happened.
4. When it's over, it's over.
- by Harrison Owen

Monday, 12 December 2011

Truth


Truth always feels right.   
– Robin Sharma

Friday, 9 December 2011

Excuse

You are either choosing to be happy now, 
or you are making up excuses
for not choosing to be happy. 
- Rhonda Byrne

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Reason

Some men have thousands of reasons 
why they cannot do what they want to, 
when all they need 
is one reason why they can.
- Martha Graham

Monday, 5 December 2011

Better

We do the best we can with what we know, 
and when we know better, we do better.   
– Maya Angelou

Friday, 2 December 2011

December 2, 2011 Chautauqua


From the Editor's Computer  

   Christmas is rapidly approaching.  Do you have all your Christmas shopping completed yet?

   Every year, we hear of different ways to give gifts - ones that aren't as commercialized and that benefit others.  There are various options including homemade gifts, homemade coupons for jobs completed for the individual, buying livestock for families in Third World countries, giving to charitable organizations in the gift receiver’s name, and more.

   While these are all great, and worthy, ideas, I’d like to propose another option for you to consider.  Support your local community.  There are a variety of ways you can go about doing this. 

   The obvious, of course, is to shop for gifts in the local stores or get a gift certificate from a local business to give.  Buy a special treat from the grocery store to give.  Get a gift card from the gas station or a restaurant.  Don’t forget the hairdressers and other service people.  Check out the merchandise at the unique shop that you haven’t had a chance to venture into yet. 

   If you are the type who gives to charity, you are also in luck.  You could make a donation to the local Food Bank.  You could sponsor a special project the school is implementing. Why not donate an amount equal to the cost of a registration or membership into a group so that no one who wants to belong is left out.  Or you could donate to any of the other clubs, organizations, and charities in your community that provide programming for a variety of ages and needs.  Each of those organizations fundraises throughout the year to provide programs and services to the community members, so why not help them out with a little extra.  Can’t think of an organization to support.  Look through the pages of this newspaper and you’ll find listings for the communities.  There are lots to choose from.  Pick one or more that you feel are important to maintain in the community.

   By doing your Christmas giving locally, you ensure that the businesses, clubs, organizations, and charities at home are healthy, viable and able to continue serving your community.
   
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xar0_h62siMZFJ0mhYXPGSnwDJ6PLOEK/view?usp=sharing

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

Wednesday, 30 November 2011

Mistakes

There is no such thing as making a mistake, 
as long as you learn from it…
Instead of beating yourself up over it, 
figure out what you did wrong, 
and make sure it doesn’t 
happen again in the future.   
– Lynda Steele

Monday, 28 November 2011

Rich

It's being alive that makes you rich. 
- Mike Dooley

Friday, 25 November 2011

Moment

You can get through anything life hands you
if you stay put in the day you are in 
and don’t jump ahead.   
– Regina Brett

Wednesday, 23 November 2011

Fear

Set aside a certain number of days, 
during which you shall be content
with the scantiest and cheapest fare, 
with course and rough dress, 
saying to yourself the while: 
“Is this the condition that I feared?” 
  - Seneca

Monday, 21 November 2011

One must separate from anything that 
forces one to repeat No again and again.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

Friday, 18 November 2011

November 18, 2011 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer 


   Of late, it seems that many people I talk to are in situations that they don't want to be in, yet they won't do anything about it because "you can't say no."

   Actually, you CAN say no.  I know that you are all capable of saying no because it is one the first words we all learnt, and we had fully mastered by the time we turned three years old!

   Also, we all have at least one individual in our lives that we say no to on a fairly regular basis.  Who is that for you?  Have you ever thought about why you can say no to that person, or persons, with such ease and not to others?

   One reason, is because you can be real and honest with them.  Think about that for a moment.  Shouldn’t we be real with everyone we encounter in our lives?  Whether a loved one, or a stranger, we should be able to stand up for ourselves whenever, and however, we best need to in the various situations we find ourselves in.

   We all need to say no more often, but for the right reasons - because your life and health will be better when you do.  Every thought we think, every reaction we experience, is reflected in our bodies.  If you are saying yes when you don’t want to, you are unduly stressing your body.  Do that too many times, and your body will shut down on you.

  As individuals within a society, we've also forgotten how to say no and have lost control over many areas of our lives.  Truthfully, how many of us really need the latest and greatest and biggest new product as soon as it hits the market?  How many of us really need to live beyond our means?  Saying no via our spending habits is a more effective “protest” than the current “Occupy” movements going on in various communities.

   Now, whether the person you are saying no to respects your no or not, is a completely different story.  And if they don't respect your no, perhaps they need to hear the word more often?
   
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LBzKmRes0ZI2PTk6B2l5TP-iI1bo-Tn3/view?usp=sharing
To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

Wednesday, 16 November 2011

Allow


[Allow yourself] to be exactly 
where you are and as you are, 
and the world to be exactly as it is 
in this moment, as well.   
– Jon Kabat-Zinn

Monday, 14 November 2011

Mind


Sometimes, if conditions are such
that we feel free from the 
pressures of life and things 
don’t feel like they are 
heating us up to the point of boiling, 
or freezing us to the point of rigidity,
the mind can be quite spacious, 
like a gas, expanding infinitely 
and subsuming whatever occurs within it, 
or like water, flowing freely, 
unimpeded over and around boulders
and other obstacles in our path. 
– Jon Kabat-Zinn

Friday, 11 November 2011

Remember

It is important to remember...
however it is more important 
to learn from our memories.
- Beth Richardson

Wednesday, 9 November 2011

Practice


Every time we get angry,
we get better at being angry 
and reinforce the anger habit…
Every time we become self-absorbed, 
we get better at becoming self-absorbed…
Every time we get anxious, 
we get better at being anxious.   
Practice does make perfect. 
– Jon Kabat-Zinn

Monday, 7 November 2011

Door


Every moment we are arriving 
at our own door.   
Every moment we could open it.  
 – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Friday, 4 November 2011

November 4, 2011 Chautauqua



From the Editor's Computer 


   One day I chanced to catch part of an interview on the radio.  A doctor, whose name I didn’t catch, was sharing the story about a certain patient who visited his clinic.  As part of her treatment for her overeating disorder, the doctor told this lady to post her exact weight, which was well over 200 pounds, on a 3 x 5 index card by her computer at work.  The point was that the card would serve as a visual reminder for her to aid her in curtailing her uncontrollable snacking habits.  The lady refused to do such a thing as she would be mortified if anyone knew how much she weighed.  The doctor pointed out to her that everyone in her workplace already knew that she was over 200 pounds!

   Whatever we think we are hiding from the people around us, we aren’t really.  Whether it is:
·          differing opinions/beliefs/likes/dislikes
·          lifestyle choices
·          various habits
·          our weight
·          our spending
·          relationships
·          compulsive activities, or 
·          addictive behaviours
in reality you aren’t really hiding anything from anyone. 

   Even more damaging are the habits and behaviours (see list above) that you hide from yourself (deny).  These definitely are not hidden from other people.  Deep down you know you are engaging in those behaviours, whether you want to consciously admit it or not, and ultimately your body’s response will betray you in the form of nagging symptoms and illnesses, from the seemingly insignificant to terminal.

   When all your energy and effort goes into hiding what you are doing or thinking, you aren’t left with much energy to live your life to the fullest.  You have no time or energy to make healthy choices or engage in life-enriching relationships.  Life is a lot easier, and more enjoyable, when you stop hiding and put your energy into really living.  
 
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1coroqcCCH2ZI3bx1UmnhHZzhan10OOfH/view?usp=sharing

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

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Present


We take care of the future best 
by taking care of the present now.   
– Jon Kabat-Zinn

Monday, 31 October 2011

Smile


It takes only a smile 
to make a dark day seem bright. 
Find the one 
that makes your heart smile.
- Unknown

Friday, 28 October 2011

Give up


Don't feel sad over someone 
who gave up on you.  
 Feel sorry that they gave up on someone 
who would never have given up on them. 
- Unknown

Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Choose


I choose…
to live by choice, not chance; 
to make changes, not excuses; 
to be motivated, not manipulated; 
to be useful, not used; 
to excel, not compete.  
 I choose self-esteem, not self-pity. 
I choose to listen to my inner voice, 
not the random opinion of others. 
– unknown

Monday, 24 October 2011

Lazy


Some of the most productive, creative, 
and efficient employees…
are really just lazy people 
who have found the easiest way
to do their work
.  – Erin Rooney Doland

Friday, 21 October 2011

October 21, 2011 Chautauqua



From the Editor's Computer
 
    As humans, we love guarantees and assurances.  Nothing reassures us or gives us a better sense of security than the certainties in our lives.  

   Certainties?  As much as we wish it otherwise, there are no certainties in this life.

   One could argue that death is a certainty, and in one respect, that is true.  However, look how much uncertainty surrounds death.  We don’t know what day, hour, or year we will die, nor do we know the age we will be.

   Further, we don’t know if our deaths will be quick, prolonged, painless, or painful.  We don’t know if the cause of death will be natural, old age, illness, accident, or natural disaster.  We don’t know if we will die alone, surrounded by loved ones, or in a crowd.

   That is a lot of uncertainty regarding something that we figure is pretty much a guarantee in this life.

   We can plan and prepare as much as we want for our daily lives, and future events, yet so many of the variables surrounding these plans are completely out of our hands, especially if the variables involve the weather or other people!

   Now before you give up in despair and decide that there is no point setting goals or anticipating future events so we might as well all sit like lumps all day, there is another certainty that we often overlook: the certainly of choosing our reaction to the uncertainties of life. 

   How you may react to the events in your life could be uncertain, but that you will react, isn’t.  Consciously choosing to react in ways that are healthy to our bodies and minds is an important step to flowing along life’s twists and turns.  Once something has happened, we can’t go back and change it.  That said, we can do our best, by our choices, to ensure that similar events don’t occur.  The better our choices, the better the events in our lives.

   Here something else we can be certain of…if you wake up one more morning, that gives you one more chance to make your life, and then the lives of others, and then the world, a better place.
 
Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wDBqsVL1HtC9M2Td0sJgza4sTIoRaNMr/view?usp=sharing

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

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

Round


God made the world round 
so we could never see
too far down the road. 
– Isak Dinesen

Monday, 17 October 2011

Kindness


Practicing kindness and selflessness, 
you naturally align your life 
with the Integral Way. 
– Lao-tzu

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