Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Still waters . . .



There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, 
and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer.

                                       John Wooden




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"I intend to allow myself the time and space to be still." | Support Cathy's Intent
Unless explicitly intending to do so, we humans rarely ever sit absolutely still. We are constantly fidgeting, wandering, moving and tossing about, even in our sleep. In this way, our mind and our thoughts parallel our body: One minute we are thinking about what we are going to make for dinner, the next we are remembering the person who bumped into us without apologizing at the grocery store. But it is stillness of the mind and body that allow us to step away from our distracted selves and get to know our true selves a little bit better.
Lao Tsu, the founder of Taoism, speaks about the importance of self-reflection in his book Tao Te Ching, written around 600 BC.
Knowing others is wisdom

Knowing the self is enlightenment

Mastering others requires force

Mastering the self requires strength

He who knows he has enough is rich

Perseverance is a sign of will power
He who stays where he is endures
To die but not to perish to be be eternally present
But it is important to remember that self-reflection is not an end in itself. Knowing yourself should become a motivation to change. It should be coupled with action that improves your life and the lives of those around you. Spend time learning about who you are. With that knowledge, allow yourself to become your best asset and an asset to others too.
Share your intent at Intent.com.
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I very much appreciate my articles and photos appearing on fellow bloggers' sites, popular broadsheets, and local broadcast news segments, but I would appreciate even more a request for permission first.
Thank you!


20 comments:

  1. Very inspirational. Thanks for this:)

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  2. Wonderful post! I love the teachings of Lao Tsu, or at least what I know of them. I am also a person of faith and prayer so the scriptural teachings are my guide. I like your photo also.

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  3. I call it mindless chatter, when I find myself doing this i stop and say enough. Wonderful post.

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    1. I do the same thing, Jen, though I use the word, "stop."

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  4. Beautiful photo and some very inspirational words. I think we all need those times to really stop and listen to our inner self and to the spirit.

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  5. what a beautiful post! It makes you stop and think, reflect. Thank you!

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    1. Thank you, MP. That's the whole intention: To remind us to take a break from the hustle and bustle and go within.

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  6. I like the fact the forground is visible. :)

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    1. Thank you, NF. I've intended it that way for a better sense of perspective.

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  7. btw, ever heard of NF Waters?

    http://nfmemes.blogspot.se/search/label/NF%20Waters

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    1. Just now, NF. I will add my linky. Many thanks for letting me know.

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  8. What a marvelous and very inspirational post! I'm a great admirer of Lao Tsu. Your capture for the day is beautiful and perfectly paired with Lao Tsu's words! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  9. Many thanks, Sylvia. Have a marvelous weekend, too!

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  10. I like your city lights reflection, it's very pretty.

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  11. Thank you for this inspirational post.

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