Category Archives: Sweet Breathing

Sweet Breathing

As I Began to Love Myself

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“As I began to love myself, I found that anguish and emotional suffering are only warning signs that I was living against my own truth. Today, I know, this is Authenticity.

As I began to love myself, I understood how much it can offend somebody as I try to force my desires on this person, even though I knew the time was not right and the person was not ready for it, and even though this person was me. Today, I call it Respect.

As I began to love myself, I stopped craving for a different life, and I could see that everything that surrounded me was inviting me to grow. Today, I call it Maturity.

As I began to love myself, I understood that at any circumstance, I am in the right place at the right time, and everything happens at the exactly right moment, so I could be calm. Today, I call it Self-Confidence.

As I began to love myself, I quit stealing my own time, and I stopped designing huge projects for the future. Today, I only do what brings me joy and happiness, things I love to do and that make my heart cheer, and I do them in my own way and in my own rhythm. Today, I call it Simplicity.

As I began to love myself, I freed myself of anything that is no good for my health – food, people, things, situations and everything that drew me down and away from myself. At first I called this attitude a healthy egoism. Today, I know it is Love of Oneself.

As I began to love myself, I quit trying to always be right, and ever since, I was wrong less of the time. Today, I discovered that is Modesty.

As I began to love myself, I refused to go on living in the past and worry about the future. Now, I only live for the moment, where Everything is happening. Today, I live each day, day by day, and I call it Fulfillment.

As I began to love myself, I recognized that my mind can disturb me and it can make me sick. But, as I connected it to my heart, my mind became a valuable ally. Today, I call this connection Wisdom of the Heart.

We no longer need to fear arguments, confrontations or any kind of problems with ourselves or others. Even stars collide, and out of their crashing new worlds are born. Today, I know… That Is Life.

-Charlie Chaplin

 

Sweet Breathing

It’s Time

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“I think midlife is when the universe gently places her hands upon your shoulders, pulls you close, and whispers in your ear:
I’m not screwing around. It’s time. All of this pretending and performing – these coping mechanisms that you’ve developed to protect yourself from feeling inadequate and getting hurt – has to go.

Your armor is preventing you from growing into your gifts. I understand that you needed these protections when you were small. I understand that you believed your armor could help you secure all of the things you needed to feel worthy of love and belonging, but you’re still searching and you’re more lost than ever.

Time is growing short. There are unexplored adventures ahead of you. You can’t live the rest of your life worried about what other people think. You were born worthy of love and belonging. Courage and daring are coursing through you. You were made to live and love with your whole heart. It’s time to show up and be seen.”

-Brené Brown

Sweet Breathing

Bhutan – A Gallery of Photos

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I had dreamed about Bhutan… mesmerized by the thought of its majestic mountains and mystery.  Experiencing it finally in person, I found it to be full to brimming with radiance.  Its people and environment warm and absorbing, magical. Gross National Happiness a real thing to strive for, not money and things. Spirituality and prayer, quiet, respect for elders and the land.  Bhutan left a deep impression that walks with me still and always will. I treasure the time there and all it left inside me.

Click onto any individual image below to see a full size version… use arrows to see each in full size.

Sweet Breathing

Thailand – A Gallery of Photos

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Thailand, land of multiple layers, cultures, and religions…colors, textures, chaos, spirituality, water taxis, tuk tuks, politics, the juxtaposition of Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism and Islamic faiths coexisting in close proximity.  Jarring disparity between extreme wealth and extreme poverty.  Grand palace grounds, the Gold Buddha, the Emerald Buddha, Thai food and massage, the river… so much to take in and absorb.  Such a richness to the experience, piercing intensity, followed by sublime relaxation…memories to savor again and again…

*Click on to any image for a full sized version, then use arrows right to look at all in full size.

 

Sweet Breathing

To Generate More Life

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“What must I give more death to today, in order to generate more life? What do I know should die, but am hesitant to allow to do so? What must die in me in order for me to love? What not-beauty do I fear? Of what use is the power of the not-beautiful to me today? What should die today? What should live? What life am I afraid to give birth to? If not now, when?”

-Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

 

 

Sweet Breathing

Moving Through Nature

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“I found myself wishing that we could live like the birds and move through nature without hurting it ourselves.”

-Ross Macdonald

“In those vernal seasons of the year, when the air is calm and pleasant, it were an injury and sullenness against Nature not to go out and see her riches, and partake in her rejoicing with heaven and earth.”

-John Milton

“Go out, go out I beg of you
And taste the beauty of the wild.
Behold the miracle of the earth
With all the wonder of a child.”

-Edna Jaques

Sweet Breathing

Becoming Indigenous

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“Knowing her grandchildren
would inherit the world she left behind,
she did not work for flourishing
In her time only.
It was through her actions of reciprocity,
the give and take with the land,
that the original immigrant
became indigenous.
For all of us,
becoming indigenous to
a place means living as
if your children’s future mattered,
to take care of the land as if our lives,
both material and spiritual,
depended on it.”

~Robin Wall Kimmerer

Sweet Breathing

Spring Sampler – A Gallery of Photos

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“Every spring is the only spring – a perpetual astonishment.” -Ellis Peters

“Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of Spring?” – Neltje Blanchan

“Come with me into the woods where Spring is advancing, as it does, not matter what, not being singular or particular, but one of the forever gifts and certainly visible.” – Mary Oliver

Click into any image to see a full scale version and to start a slideshow…