Inspiration

I have always collected poems and quotations that serve as a road map and point the way. Below are a few of my current favorites.

I choose inclusion. I choose Empathy. Compassion. Equality. Dignity. Diversity.

I choose Community. Kindness. Integrity. Honesty. Respect. 

I choose Justice.

I choose Facts. Peace. The Planet.

I choose Humanity. 

I choose LOVE.

From Community Meme

May today treat me well. May today treat us well. May we treat today well in turn. 

Jozen Tamori Gibson

 For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.  

 Amanda Gorman (theamandagorman.com) 

Every time I take a step in the direction of generosity, I know that I am moving from fear to love.

Genres Nouwen

You are part of the web of life,  so you don't need to hold on so tightly.

Jack Kornfield

 The things that seem in the way, are the way.

Tara Brach

Loving ourselves points us to capacities of resilience, compassion, and understanding within that are simply part of being alive.

Sharon Salzberg

To live in this world, you must be able to do three things:  to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and when the time comes, to let it go. 

Mary Oliver

 Reclaiming ourselves usually means coming to recognize and accept that we have in us both sides of everything. We are capable of fear and courage, generosity and selfishness, vulnerability and strength. These things do not cancel each other out, but offer us a full range of power and response to life. Life is as complex as we are. Sometimes our vulnerability is our strength; our fear develops our courage, and our woundedness is the road to our integrity. It is not an either/or world. It is a real world.

 Rachel Naomi Remen

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

 and invite them in.

Be grateful for whomever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi