Optimism Is Not Insane (by Vlogbrothers)

Optimism is Not Insane (by vlogbrothers)

This is what gives me faith in the Path.

She is detached from all things; that is why she is one with them. Because she has let go of herself, she is perfectly fulfilled

Tao Te Ching (via samsaranmusing)

always room to reblog the old man.

Some more wise words.

How do I balance compassion and not let people be rude to me? I am forgiving but sometimes it makes people think it is ok to be careless towards me... Thanks! :)

A mother is most compassionate to her children. She loves them with all her heart and yet does she allow them to misbehave, to take advantage of her love, to use her as a doormat?

The mother tempers her kindness with firmness. She may have a soft spot for her children sometimes and may be tough of them at other times. 

It is similar with the compassion we practice towards all. People may be rude and careless regardless of your compassion, that is something you simply need to accept. But that doesn’t mean you have to meet that kind of behavior with passive allowance. You can remove yourself from the situation or respond to it with tough love, that’s up to your discretion. 

But the crux of compassion is acknowledging what is best for all. If all the cars coordinated perfectly, there would be no traffic. Similarly, if all were compassionate toward one another, life could be more harmonious. 

You do not need to wait for everyone to take up the practice of compassion. Being a practitioner of compassion yourself is enough to ease up the traffic around you. Just remember the tao of the Mother: absolute love tempered by having people’s best interests at heart. 

Taking advantage, being harmful toward one another, and general carelessness is in no one’s best interest. But there is also a line between knowing when to stand up to it and knowing when to let it go. Time and experience will make that clear to you. 

Namaste :)

The power of perspective.

The wise are good to the good, but also are good to the bad. Wise people trust those who trust, but also trust those who do not trust... Goodness and trust are the very nature of the Path. -Paraphrasing from the old man, chapter 49.

It reminds me a great deal of the quote from Nietzsche, where one must take care not to fight monsters, lest you become a monster yourself. I believe that people should be judged by how they treat their enemies, as this is the clearest indication of one's character. Eye for an eye and all that. I do have a tendency to explain quotes with other quotes, apologies for that.

I freely admit that I am a Sam fanboy. Simple things, friends, simple things.

One of the most frustrating things for me is dealing with people who constantly complain about anxiety and depression and expect that some words from me can help but will not even do simple things like get more sleep, eat a healthy diet, take a 30 minute walk at dusk or meditate for 20 minutes a day. They are in a prison of their own making with the key in their hands. Yes, these simple things can change lives.