What if I am here to simply experience the fun of witnessing the wonders of nature in this physical dimension?
What if I didn’t come to save or change the world?
What if I just came to experience existence in this form and while here I have fun co-creating in a way that benefits others?
What if all the pain and suffering has been because of the belief that there is something more I came to do and my trying “to do” has been the source of my pain and suffering?
What if my grand purpose was simply to come and be, and in my being–with the gifts, talents and strengths I’ve been given and the interests I’ve accumulated–I co-create a joy-filled existence for myself while being a blessing for others?
What if suicide happens because striving for some illusive ego-designed construct made the pain of not having the object of the ego’s desire so unbearable that people just could no longer bear the pain of striving?
What if they missed out on why they were here to begin with–to simply experience the joy and magic of life?
What if problems weren’t problems, but just experiences happening around us that gave us the opportunity to witness our personal power as we navigate our way through them?
What if the isms–racism, sexism, ageism, genderism, all the isms–were simply ego-constructed concepts presenting as problems that aren’t problems, but were experiences to witness our personal power as we navigate our way through life?
What if love only hurts because we force something that is already natural?
What if while experiencing the joy and magic of life we simply allowed love to happen?
What if these things were true?
What if you lived like these things were true?
What if?
Today is a good day to reflect on life as you give thanks for it. So, reflect. Release pain and allow joy.
]]>In the spirit of the Tao, allow Life’s flow to determine the outcome of situations, knowing that your surrender serves you in two ways. First, alignment with the flow results in outcomes that benefit all involved. Second, releasing worrisome thoughts improves your wellbeing.
Today, remember that everything you see has the meaning you have given it. If what you see negatively impacts you, you can change its meaning.
In 2018, I read and reflected on the Tao Te Ching, and shared daily inspirations to inspire improved wellbeing. After my fifth reading, I transitioned to A Course in Miracles. Now, we continue our wellbeing journey together with ACIM in a Tao state of mind.
Today’s Tao reflection was inspired by Lesson 2 of ACIM.
]]>- The Tao is the art of living, the Great Way, the flow of life.
- We create our own strife and stress by trying to control the Great Way.
- For more ease and greater joy in life, surrender to Life’s flow.
Essentially, my mental and emotional wellbeing are connected to how I choose to respond to life.
While intentionally living the Tao there were many times that I did not want to surrender and wanted to control the outcome. Because of the daily practice I was aware of my thoughts and shifted my behavior. As time went on, it became easier to do and I responded positively more quickly in challenging situations. It has been a process.
As I neared completion of the Tao for the fifth time, I was given a gift—the original edition of A Course in Miracles. This book has been recommended to me several times in life. One of my business coaches told me to purchase and read it as homework in 2017. I started, then became distracted. Then this weekend, someone whom I’ve never laid eyes gave me a copy as a gift through a mutual friend. Since I believe coincidences are incidents that coincide, I think it is time to read ACIM. Again, this is another year-long undertaking (at least) and I intend to share my daily reflections.
I began reading yesterday as I contemplated this decision and came across a phrase that made me say, “YES!”
All mental illness is some form of external searching. Mental health is inner peace.
Said another way, your mental and emotional wellbeing are connected to how you choose to respond to life.
So, if you’re game, let us continue our wellbeing journey together with ACIM in a Tao state of mind.
A new decision has been made. Are you with me? Let me know in the comments below. Also, let me know how the Tao has impacted you.
Inspiring bliss,
Sheron
P.S. The Tao is pronounced “Dow.”
]]>Your power to succeed is already with you. Your ability to generate lasting happiness is already with you.
If you need approval of your brilliance, you seek for others to have power over you. You have diminished your own.
When you look for happiness from people, events or things, you will always be looking. Happiness this way will end.
Is this the existence you want to create?
Go inward to know you already have it all. When you can see that you lack nothing, then you can have everything.
LIVING THE TAO: If you are seeking approval and happiness from the outside, you will become tired. Remember this: let your search only be within.
In 2018 my focus was to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. Now I continue into 2019 with my fifth reading. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
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Original image by Ricco Stange.
Settle your mind on the truth of who you are.
Surrender your choices to sync with Life’s flow.
Fill your thoughts of your power and greatness.
Lead with love and guidance.
Allow life’s events to naturally run their course.
Soften to see the connection of our collective journey.
Help others bring forth their best, steward responsibilities with care, surrender attachment to expectations, and serve as a model of greatness without imposing your will.
These elevate joy.
LIVING THE TAO: Reflect on the recommendations for elevating joy. Which one are you inclined to focus on today. Decide then focus.
My 2018 focus is to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. This is my fifth reading of Stephen Mitchell’s translation. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
Original image on Pixabay.]]>
What need is there to prove your value? Your worth speaks for you and that is all that is required. Otherwise, you increase your suffering.
Why collect things for the sake of boasting? Better you do well for others and save yourself from the worry of keeping your things.
What benefit is there in controlling? Do your portion then let go. Otherwise, you invite stress.
Know who you are, do well for others and allow life to unfold. This is the way to master the art of living.
LIVING THE TAO: Today, I invite you to reflect on the first, second and third interpretations along with this fourth and ask, are there any shifts you are prepared to make today in relation to aligning with the art of living as shared in the Tao?
My 2018 focus is to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. This is my fourth reading of Stephen Mitchell’s translation. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
Original image on Unsplash.]]>
What if in life you were truly present and content? Present as in your whole mind being where your body is in the space it holds from the start of your inhale to the end of your exhale. Content as in allowing the moment to be what it is being, satisfied with who you are in that moment. What would that look like?
Would you rush from moment to moment, experience to experience only to find in the end that you rushed through life unconsciously?
Would you unceasingly seek for new and better only to breathe your last breath realizing you had what you needed all along?
Or, would you control your way to the proverbial top to then find the top was always within?
Being present is not colorless nor is being content a lack of ambition.
The mind of one who is present is absorbed in all aspects of now. The heart of one who is content is accepting of the experience of now.
So, are you truly present and content?
LIVING THE TAO: Today, I invite you to reflect on the first, second and third interpretations along with this fourth and ask, are there any shifts you are prepared to make today in relation to aligning with the art of living as shared in the Tao?
My 2018 focus is to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. This is my fourth reading of Stephen Mitchell’s translation. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
Original image by Nathan Dumalo on Unsplash.]]>
The ultimate knowing is of your true nature—who you are beyond physical form.
The ultimate power is mastery of self.
The ultimate state of richness is grateful acceptance of the moment.
The ultimate act of living is remaining centered in it all without grasping for anything else.
Stay centered in your moment to moment flow. This is how you can release your suffering and experience joy.
LIVING THE TAO: Today, consider something you’ve been fretting over. Take a deep breath, release the circumstance for a brief moment and ask, “Do I have everything I NEED for THIS moment?” Inevitably, the answer is yes. Continue being present in the moment and you will see the solution emerge when it is needed.
My 2018 focus is to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. This is my third reading of Stephen Mitchell’s translation. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
Image courtesy of Johnny Lindner of Pixabay.]]>
Do you aim to live from the seat of compassion? She who does, is not concerned with dominance or victory over others, nor does she rejoice in their demise.
She sees her enemies as they are: human beings with fears and flaws, and just like her, they desire pleasure and happiness. Their methods for achieving happiness harm others because they do not know who they truly are, nor do they know another way. She who is compassionate understands this.
Rather than be combative against ignorance, she is compassionate in her response.
LIVING THE TAO: Today, consider someone who delivers hurt to others. Strip away everything and see them as the human being that they are. Recognize that at their core, all they are seeking through their actions is happiness. Knowing this, how might you respond to them?
My 2018 focus is to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. This is my third reading of Stephen Mitchell’s translation. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
Image courtesy of Pixabay.]]>
When a potter sits down to mold, she allows her heart to guide her hands.
When the painter creates, her genius is channeled through her.
When a writer writes, though she may sit with a plan, she rises with the words from inspiration.
Such is the case for the wise and her life; she allows the inspired journey to unfold before her.
Release the notion that life must follow the exact path you created or you have failed. That is not so. Life already has an inspired flow. Relax and let it be revealed to you, then go with that. This way you’ll experience less stress and more authentic happiness.
LIVING THE TAO: Today, consider how hard you are working to make something happen the way you envision. Are you able to let go of your way to allow another way? If not, you may not be allowing the true artist of your life to create you as a masterpiece with ease.
My 2018 focus is to intentionally live the Tao Te Ching. This is my third reading of Stephen Mitchell’s translation. I share my daily interpretations hoping to inspire you to do the same.
Embrace your journey. Experience bliss. Live the Tao.
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