Know Thyself

Freeing the Self

mcvandermey — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 14:41:25 +0000

” Calm is the morn without a sound, Calm as to suit a calmer grief, And only through the faded leaf , the chestnut patteringto the ground” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson

“In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.”

Tao Te Ching

” He who is of calm and happy nature will hardly feel the pressure of age, but to him who is of an opposite disposition youth and age are equally of a burden.” - Plato

“the true value of a human being can be found in the degree to which he has attained liberation from the self.” Albert Einstein

” The person of superior integrity does not insist upon his integrity. For this reason, he has integrity. The person of inferior integrity never loses sight of his integrity: For this reason, he lacks integrity.” – Lao Tzu

” The prayer of the monk is not perfect until he no longer recognizes himself or the fact that he is praying.” - Saint Anthony

” Spiritual love is a position of standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world, letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy.” – Christina Baldwin

Zen

mcvandermey — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 01:12:53 +0000

“In struggling against anguish one never produces serenity; the struggle against anguish only produces new forms of anguish.” -Simone Weil

“Strictly speaking, there is no such thing as an enlightened person. There is only enlightened activity.” Shuunyu Suzuki

” Meditation is not an escape from life, but preparation for really being in life.” -Thich Nhat Hanh

“It is not only by the questions we have answered that progress may be measured but also by those we are still asking. The passionate controversies of one era are viewed as sterile preoccupations by another for knowledge alters what we seek as well as what we find.”- Freda Adler

“If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” – Chinese Proverb

“To set up what you like against what you dislike, this is the disease of the mind” – Seng- Ts’an

” I believe in the forest, and in the meadow, and in the night in which the corn grows.” – Henry David Thoreau

“Do not conquer the world with force, For force only causes resistance. Thorns spring up when an army passes. Years of misery follow a great victory. Do only what needs to be done, without using violence.” – Lao-tzu

“Truth is in things, and not in words.” – Herman Melville

“Contentment is natural wealth. Luxury is artificial poverty.” -Socrates

” Do not turn away what is given you, Nor reach out for what is given to others, Lest you disturb your quietness.” – The Dhammapada

Acceptance

mcvandermey — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 23:19:10 +0000

“When we can accept all of life’s contradictions, when we can comfortably flow between the banks of pleasure and pain, experiencing them both while getting stuck in neither, then we are free.” – Deepak Chopra

This year I will try to get close to being free. I’m still far from it but working hard to get there. The shackles are still tight. It is scary that I am almost immune to it that I sometimes find it comforting.

Happy New Year 2011

mcvandermey — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 22:51:51 +0000

I am thrilled that I was able to do something for myself today. I finally got the energy to workout again. It is amazing how the body could be so out of shape after months of not going to the gym. While I was at the elliptical, I kept thinking why I keep putting this wonderful healthy activity off. I always have an excuse to not go. Well, the new year brings with it a new kind of energy and motivation. It is up to me to let go of the motivation again. I need to be focused and not be sidetracked by dramas that won’t really matter in the long run.

Not too long ago, I stumbled upon a link on forming habits. I chose some habits that I will be working on in the coming days and so far I have been pretty good. Here are some of the habits I will be forming this year:

1. Drink more water

2. Do things right away

3. Organize computer files at least 15 mins. a day

4. Exercise at least 30 mins. daily

5. Plan the week’s menu and shopping list

6. Read at least one book a month

7. Meditate before sleeping or upon waking up at least 10 mins.

Christmas 2010

mcvandermey — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 22:14:03 +0000

Acceptance

mcvandermey — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 15:29:02 +0000

From Head to Toe

mcvandermey — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:17:30 +0000

Today, I indulged on getting myself taken cared of. For the first time in so many years, I had a facial today. Having a facial to me is akin to working out. It is not always fun and painless but the rewards, at least for me are great. I grew up with acne problems and facials have always calmed my skin every time. I couldn’t undo the damages: scarring, tugging and pulling, enlarged pores, sensitive skin etc. etc. etc. But, I just refuse to give up on beauty. Now that I am 40, I vow to take care of what’s left a little bit at a time. Like what Teresa, my skin care specialist said, I have to heal from within and it is only by taking care of me that way will my skin follow suit and show its healthiest. The moment I walked into the room, I felt the stress leaving my body and just aching to get better. She started with cleaning and steaming my face. She also applied some exfoliating mask and gently massaged my face. It should help with the extraction. The moment I am dreading was not too bad. When it got painful, my eyes would water but it was still soothing because I know that my skin is getting cleaned out. Those bad guys ( blackheads and impurities) could wreak havoc when the condition is ripe. There’s nothing worse than getting up and feeling a nasty, red, and painful bump that will just go bigger and noticeable as the days go by. Nevertheless, today is an awakening that I need to take care of me because no one will. It’s not cheap and not so exciting but I am looking forward to great days ahead. So, on New Year’s Eve I am toasting to a new year of getting better, healthier, prettier, more organized and loving to myself and others.

I feel so good and motivated to eat right, sleep right and not stress at all.

I love myself, I’m so glad I discovered it before it is too late.

Onwards to my physical workout. Hopefully, my skin heals this holiday season.

Love yah!

Hello

mcvandermey — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 00:06:33 +0000

I am so happy I found you

before I lost the memory of you

so alive and full of wonder

cannot get enough of world’s adventure

you look different

but still beautiful

love holds you captive

it has never let go

why do you want to run?

why do you want to forget?

why do you want to change?

it is easier to just be.

why do you want to change?