Wednesday, 30 September 2015

Rug

Instead of seeing the rug
 being pulled out from under us, 
we can learn to dance 
on a shifting carpet. 
 - Thomas Crum

Monday, 28 September 2015

Doors

Doors that close are just as valuable
 as doors that open.  
- Nancy Sleeth

Friday, 25 September 2015

Selfishness

Selfishness comes from too little self-love,
 not too much. 
 - Anita Moorjani

Wednesday, 23 September 2015

Love

The more you love, the more you grow;
 the more you love, the healthier you are;
 the more you love, the happier you feel; 
the more you love, the more successful you are.  
Conversely, not loving enough and feeling unloved
 are the root causes of every problem 
and conflict in your life and on our planet. 
 In sum, your life works when you love,
 and it doesn't when you don't. 
 - Robert Holden

Monday, 21 September 2015

Enough

Imagine how insane it it would be 
to believe that we have to hold our breath 
because we're afraid that if we breathe deeply
 the person next to us won't have enough air. 
 - Kate Northrup

Friday, 18 September 2015

September 18, 2015 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings
 
   The other night on the news a lovely 103 year old woman was interviewed.  Now, honestly, if I was asked to guess her age, I’d have put her no more than 75 years old.  While she did possess some wrinkles, her infectious smile was youthful as she literally skipped and danced her way into the room.

   Naturally, the big question asked of her was what was her secret to her longevity.  Her reply was that she keeps her heart happy.

   She’s not the first to say that, and I’m sure she won’t be the last.  When long-time comedian George Burns was asked how he was able to live so long - and remember he smoke, drank and had other so–called “bad health habits” - he too replied that he did what he loved.

   So the secret to living a long and happy life isn’t really a secret.  We all know that we should be doing more of what we love, more of what truly “makes our hearts happy.”

   But……………………

   Ah, there is the sticking point.  The “but.”

   I would, but……
         I’m too old               
         I’m too young
         I’m too poor
         I don’t have enough education
         I’m too set in my ways
         I’m too tired
         I’m too lonely
         I’m too scared
         It’s too late

   List all the things that make your heart happy and see how many are NOT currently part of your life.  As soon as you do that, your mind will automatically start saying to you, “Yes, but…”

   Are the “yes, but’s” real, misperceptions of your reality, or are they something you (or someone else) has imposed through expectation?

   Deal with the “buts,” and you can make your heart happy.   

Beth

 Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yz37EwT3H1-gKg3pEyovbqsaXhUHJENW/view?usp=sharing

 Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

Conversation

Conversation doesn't have to lead to 
consensus about anything, 
especially not values;
 it's enough that it helps people 
get used to one another. 
 - Kwame Anthony Appiah

Monday, 14 September 2015

Choose

It's not always that we'll choose what's in front of us, 
it's that we would like to have the freedom to do so 
if we felt compelled.  
- Kate Northrup

Friday, 11 September 2015

Stillness

Stillness is where
 creativity and solutions to problems 
are found.  
- Eckhart Tolle

Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Tension

Every tension in your body
 is a reflection of how you live your life...
the joys and problems of the world 
are also reflected in your body. 
 - Bob Cooley

Monday, 7 September 2015

Job

Holding the entire universe on your shoulders 
and controlling it all is not your job. 
 - Kate Northrup

Friday, 4 September 2015

September 4, 2015 Chautauqua


Beth's Ponderings
 
   It’s back to school time for a number of children, young adults, and adults.  While my sister and I said the best year was the first year we DIDN’T have to go back to school, this year we are aware of it again as my niece enters kindergarten this fall.

   Even if you are not a student in the formal sense, back to school time is a great time to learn something new.

   There are so many options for learning now besides taking an actual class.  You can watch how-to videos or ask someone you know to teach you how to do what they do.  You can read books or take free university courses online.   You can learn at your own pace and your own time, you don’t have to be tied to a classroom.

   With the countless resources available, there is no excuse not to follow your dream and learn something new.

   The possibilities are endless.

   Besides learning something new, the process of learning keeps us mentally young and our brains agile.  People who continue to learn new things are generally healthier and more balanced.

   As well, learning something new broadens your world view and makes you more accepting of what is around you, and what happens to you.

   Learning something new can be life-changing on so many levels, as the results can lead to avenues you never considered before.

   Perhaps your new training can enhance your current employment and lead to a raise or promotion.  Or, your new skill could lead you to a change of career.  Maybe you can help teach others what you are learning.  Or, you could learn something that will provide you with more enjoyment and relaxation in your life.

   Even if you have no plans beyond the learning process, doors can open for you with new training and skills.  Doors that you never noticed before because you weren’t ready for them.

   What have you always wanted to learn more about?  What skill have you desired to master?  

Beth

 Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1h4Pj9LJlr1pBcKrlYGG-APE-s36Ij4Ej/view?usp=sharing

 Contact The Chautauqua via email: thechautauqua@gmail.com or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChautauqua

Wednesday, 2 September 2015

Allow

Allow it to be easier than you think,
 faster than you expect, 
and more fun than you can imagine.
 - Michael Neill

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