Calm, alert but not taking himself too seriously

To live a balanced Life:

By Dr. Lissa Rankin 

(with some changes of my own)

 

1. Sleep in and take naps.

Yeap, it's not a waste of time, it's a nice treat for your brain...

2. Worry less about being late.

Arrive whenever you get there – and let others do the same. If you have to be somewhere on time, don't schedulle things in between. Less agenda = more quality time.

3. Grow a garden, nurture it, and eat from it.

And share it with others. Invite friends and family for a soothing juice or tea made from the plants you've grown. Create a small retreat for yourself and others.

4. Never give up your sense of purpose.

Your sense of purpose can be just to help a friend or someone in your family... your sense of purpose can be anything simple, like writing a simple blog, or calling friens oce and a while, or volunteering.

 

5. Get it on.

Sex isn’t just fun, it’s good for your health.

6. Take a placebo at least once per day.

Have some kind of routine that sooths your mind, like hot water with lemon in the morning, or washing your face with cold water, or doing whatever reminds you to be more present.

7. Walk up 20 hills a day.

Move your body, go outside, sweat.

8. Cultivate a sense of belonging. 

Create some kind of group that meets up for dinners, pic-nics, whatever. Be part of something with other people.

9. Go to the church, temple, or mosque.

Cultivate your spirit, try to think out of yourself, see yourself as part of something much bigger, maybe infinte and get into a non-physical state of being.

10. Surround yourself with people who follow steps 1-9.

The more you surround yourself with people engaged in whole health-inducing behaviors, the more it becomes part of your culture. If, however, you surround yourself with beer-guzzling, obese couch potato loners, it’s easier to become one yourself. When you surround yourself with healthy, inspiring people, you’re way more likely to live to be 100.

 

 

"Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses.”
- Proverb

Fear of the Future?

Lets see. We have to work hard to get somewhere, although we can choose to work less and still be somewhere. Whatever. You can be more of the kind that enjoys hard work, or you might be more of the soft kind, that enjoys the chillness of no commitments.

Whatever is that drives you, accept it. But you know that growth comes from pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone. So, if you like to work a lot, try to work less and chill more. If you’re the ultimate chiller, try to put your hands to work, create! it will feel good.

After the intention of wanting to grow, trying to be better, comes fear...  most of us tend to feel a bit scared of these small changes. We question, what’s going to happen now? Will people dislike me, will I loose everything I’ve gained so far? Fear of the new, of the unknown.

But fear sucks! Big big time! So, when you feel it creeping up your intention for some change, question with authority! What am I scared off???? Tomorrow? Never ever meeting someone I can share my life with? Never ever going to have a job that I’m enthusiast about and actually helps me pay the bills??? What, what is it that I’m scared off?

We’re actually scared of our own thoughts. It’s our thoughts that scared us! It’s not what is in front of us. We’re scared of becoming old solitary bags, alone in some corner, sick and in pain, but we’re not that, and we don’t want that, so stop right now from creating more suffering. We can stop some of our suffering if we stop projecting in our life the bad things we imagine might happen.
Get it?

We’re ephemeral. We’re here today, but who knows if will be here tomorrow.
Nothing lasts forever. Even the “I will Love you forever” can change. Everything changes. And it’s positive that it does so. Things that don’t move, don’t grow and don’t feel are dead.

So accept the Future as it comes. Say yes, ok, ha ha, wow, really? grrrrr, manifest your feelings but accept them, don’t be scared of what you don’t know. We’re such ignorants about the planet and the universe, does it make sense to live with the fear that maybe this giant ball of fire will one day explode? No, we should just start singing out loud  “Great Ball of Fire”! It’s better to be crazy and live in the Right Now, than sane, and always suffering from frustration because we can’t control everything around us!

When it comes to Life, we can’t be little pricks about the way we want things to happen. We have to let go, let it be, let it become. Hey, it’s all about having a positive attitude about things, and never doubt about that itching curiosity of trying something new. Go. 1,2,3, go! Be crazy : ) independently crazy!

1, 2, 3, Go!

“If you don’t become the ocean, you’ll be seasick every day.”
—
Leonard Cohen

Laugh your head off!

“Humor allows us to see that ultimately things don’t make sense. The only thing that truly makes sense is letting go of anything we continue to hold on to. Our ego-mind and emotions are a dramatic illusion. Of course, we all feel that they’re real: my drama, your drama, our confrontations. We create these elaborate scenarios and then react to them. But there is nothing really happening outside our mind! This is karma’s cosmic joke. You can laugh about the irony of this, or you can stick with your scenario. It’s your choice.”
—
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche

Adorable!

Basically all we need...

“Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.”
 
— Hafiz

“Here’s what our parents never taught us:

You will stay up on your rooftop until sunlight peels away the husk of the moon,
chainsmoking cigarettes and reading Baudelaire, and
you will learn that you only ever want to fall in love with someone
who will stay up to watch the sun rise with you.

You will fall in love with train rides, and sooner or later you will
realize that nowhere seems like home anymore.

A woman will kiss you and you’ll think her lips are two petals
rubbing against your mouth.

You will not tell anyone that you liked it.
It’s okay.
It is beautiful to love humans in a world where love is a metaphor for lust.

You can leave if you want, with only your skin as a carry-on.

All you need is a twenty in your pocket and a bus ticket.
All you need is someone on the other end of the map, thinking about the supple
curves of your body, to guide you to a home that stretches out for miles
and miles on end.

You will lie to everyone you love.
They will love you anyways.

One day you’ll wake up and realize that you are too big for your own skin.

Molt.
Don’t be afraid.

Your body is a house where the shutters blow in and out against the windowpane.
You are a hurricane-prone area.
The glass breaks often.
It’s okay. I promise that the breeze here is wonderful.”

— Shinji Moon; “Here’s What Our Parents Never Taught Us”

“Under your skin the moon is alive.”
— Pablo Neruda

Under the moon your skin feels alive. To get rid of the weight of our clothes, and lay naked under the warm light of the Sun, or the seductive light of the Moon, is something that will definitely deepen your perception of Life. We spend most our days dressed, covered from soft breezes, protected from gentle raindrops, hidden from the intense burning light of the Sun, and all of that is so good for us. Whenever you can, remember to undress yourself, and experience living/feeling Life in your skin.

Sweet!

Are you a shit collector?

Do you carry with you the things that annoyed you, that are judgemental, that are negative? Like, when you meet a friend the first thing you tell them is how upset you are because of this or that, or when you're just driving, or waiting or watching TV, do you cling to the bad stuff that happend on your day? If you do, then you're a shit collector. You collect shit and walk around with it whatever you go... Hum, think about it... Maybe you need some cleaning in your head to start carrying more positive and nice things.

Here's the vid that triggered this thought:

Read more...

It really helps changing your thoughts. If you have a thought that is annoying you over and over, try picking up a book with some fantastic story... your mind travels.

“Faith means living with uncertainty - feeling your way through life, letting your heart guide you like a lantern in the dark.”
— Dan Millman

So let things be what they are, and walk with one certainty in your Heart. You are part of a bigger plan, so stay humble.

Word

“Close your eyes.
Fall in love.
Stay there.”
—
Rumi

You can be difficult and still be cared for. You can be less than perfect, and still be deserving of compassion and kindness.”
—
Daniell Koepke

More on Life:
http://www.happinessinyourlife.com/

“As long as you can describe it, it’s not that. It’s a mystery. It’s beyond description. The finite can never comprehend the infinite. So as long as you can describe it, and you can talk about it, it’s not that. And this is something you should always remember.”
— Robert Adams

Somethings are truly out of our lexicon, out of our ideas, really impossible to conceptualize. Those are things of the “Heart”, of the Soul, but you can feel them, sometimes more than others. A sensation that pulls you out of “reality”. Sometimes you have an impression, a fast flickering glimpse, but, if you’re in the right mood, the right vibration, if your heart is on the right place, those feelings can last longer and it might make you cry or smile. Whatever the result, is amazing.

To have more moments like that, remember to feel music, feel the wind, look at the sky, watch the leafs fall, feel the temperature of water... and BREATH, breath deep.

Oh, romantic and passionate LOVE!

So lovely, so crazy, so painful!, so happy and springly!
"Uf", if it isn't the best thing since life's breath (or sliced bread)
Even if it's not there with you, I know you know the feeling!
and just for that, it's great to celebrate it : )
maybe it will show up one day again...

Charlie Winston
"Soundtrack To Falling In Love"




All of me
You found your way to all of me
And, helplessly, I've fallen like a child

Hopelessly, I'm hoping you're the one for me
You comfort me
With every certain smile

But we have only just begun
Still so much for us to learn
Give and take; let's take our time
Taking turns in touching

Nowhere that I'd rather be
Than with you making history
Close your eyes; I'll close mine
And learn to love you

She:
All of me
You found your way to all of me
And, helplessly, I've fallen like a child

Hopelessly, I'm hoping you're the one for me
You comfort me
With every certain smile

Both:
But we have only just begun
Still so much for us to learn
Give and take; let's take our time
Taking turns in touching

Nowhere that I'd rather be
Than with you making history
Close your eyes; I'll close mine
And learn to love you

No one needs to know
If we chose to run away, far from here

H: No one cares
S: But we have only just begun
H: for each other here
S: Still so much for us to learn
H: And no one shares
S: Give and take, let's take our time
H: words we need to hear
S: Taking turns in touching
H: We take what we want
S: Nowhere that I'd raher be
H: And turn our backs on it all
S: Than with you making history
H: Life is sweet
S: Close your eyes ; I'll close mine
H: Cause we've got it all
S: All of me
H: But who knows love
S: You found your way to all of me
H: as necessity ?
S: An helplessly
H: And who knows
S: I'm falling like a child
H: fear as reality ?

Him:
It's all mixed in the highstreets shops
Where you think you're smart cause the price is cut
But two for one never means too much
Cause it's all on tap and you're in te clutch
Of society boasting "beautiful"
With the guarantee, it's ephemeral
You can see right through
It's not made to last
It's a precious lie
With a heart of glass...

21 Life Lessons

By Maria Mooney
May 22, 2013 2:31 PM EDT

1. Be kind. You never know what battle someone may be fighting. Don’t add to his or her burden.

2. Go out of your way to make someone’s day better. You'll both benefit.

3. Have compassion for everyone, no matter how terrible their actions seem. Hurt people hurt people.

4. And forgive them. Forgiveness doesn’t mean you're saying that what was done to you was OK, but it frees you from the negative emotions that can create dis-ease within the mind-body-spirit.

5. Your legacy is the way you make others feel and the impressions you leave them with.

6. Bad things do happen to good people. Find the lessons buried deep within the suffering. They're there.

7. Cry more. It feels amazing.

8. Enjoy the process. We can become so focused on the end result that we miss the little miracles that happen along the way.

9. Nurture your relationships. At the end of your life, you’re never going to say, “I wish I'd spent more time working.” But you will say, “I wish I told them that I love them more often.”

10. Don’t turn down an opportunity just because you're afraid. Use fear as a compass. Let it guide you in the direction that will produce the most personal growth.

11. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Never do something to someone else that you'd not want done to someone you love or yourself.

12. Make friends with yourself. Treat yourself like you would treat someone you cherish. We spend far too much time being our own worst enemies.

13. Have more fun.

14. Be grateful. Not just for the big things in your life. Be grateful for everything.

15. Be in this moment. The past is over. The future doesn’t exist yet. Plan for the future, but don’t spend all of your mental energy and time there or you'll miss what's happening now.

16. Your health is the foundation your entire life is built on. When the foundation is weak, everything built upon it collapses. Start building a strong foundation today.

17. Change is good. It stretches your limits. And as your limits grow, so do you.

18. If you have the ability to experience the unconditional love of animals, do it.

19. Slow down. Take your time. Life is more enjoyable at a leisurely pace.

20. Don’t try to change people. Inspire them with your actions.

21. Mistakes are how we learn. Just try not to make the same ones over and over again.

sometimes we get sad...

Growth takes time...

“In the solitude of your mind are the answers to all your questions about life. You must take the time to ask and listen.”
— Bawa Mahaiyaddeen

Little sequoia growing.

... prepare to feel that knot on your throat.

Meet Zach Sobiec...

“Things are OK when you believe there is something greater then yourself in the World

To see someone smile, it’s wonderful

... we had to make decisions based on quality of Life.
 
I have closure, but she won’t have closure

... what you do today, you might need it later ; )

togetherness makes you so much stronger.

the pic nic was going to be so awesome, stupid lung...



Oh man, I hope to keep always in mind that I can be the sunshine of my life, and of so many other lives... be the smile and the joy you want to see in the World. 

Oh Brain, just shut up and enjoy the ride!

In the end we just wish for that special shoulder...

You don't stop.

(..)
There she waits looking for a savior
Someone to save her from a dying self
Always taking ten steps back and one step forward
She's tired, but she don't stop

Oh, oh, oh, she don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop
Oh, oh, oh, she don't stop, she don't stop, she don't stop

Every day she stood, hoping for a new life
She closed her eyes, and she heard a small voice say
You don't stop no, you belong to me
She cried, maybe it's too late
Don't, don't stop, don't, don't stop
(...)

Lingering nowhere

“The more light you allow within you, the brighter the world you live in will be.”

—	Shakti Gawain

I lost my purpose, haven't found it yet, but...

everything goes on and on. Nothing stops or waits. Things are constantly happening, Life is that constancy, that momentum...

I still haven’t found my life purpose, my place, the dress that fits and irradiates who I am, but everything keeps going, and so should I, for I am this, that, and all that exists.

“Listen closely,

the eternal hush of Silence

goes on and on throughout all this,

and has been going on, and will go on and on.”
—
Jack Kerouac

“To hold our tongues when everyone is gossiping, to smile without hostility at people and institutions, to compensate for the shortage of love in the world with more love in small, private matters; to be more faithful in our work, to show greater patience, to forgo the cheap revenge obtainable from mockery and criticism: all these are things we can do.”

—	Hermann Hesse

Put the time in

You can be average, but if you want to be good at something, you have to commit and spend lots of hours learning the craft. We can usually be very good for a beginner, but don't you want to be actually good?

Essentially, that's what we want. So lets put the time in...

Made by Hand / No 5 The Bike Maker from Made by Hand on Vimeo.

But, if you really want to go somewhere...

You have to have faith and a strong will...

Just got psyched on the movie “Chasing Mavericks”. If you want something you have to work hard to get it. It’s the only way to really get it. To really own it!
In the movie the mention the 4 Pillars for Strong Preparation. You have to prepare yourself for the opportunity the Universe will bring to you, whatever it is, but you need to be prepared, otherwise you’ll loose it, no matter how much you want it...

Here are Frosty's four pillars::

1. Mental - Use your mind to be smart. Know your surroundings and circumstances. Know how to adjust quickly to what you see and learn. Take time to study and observe the world. Think of all possibilities, just like in a chess game.

2. Emotional - Know yourself so well you know what you’re going to feel. Respect your own feelings and others. Give space to heal, but get up and clean up your face. Crying is important to release the pressure but won’t do you any good. Get up, and face it. Stop living under fear, and understand what are you afraid off. Accept it and move on.

3. Physical  - You have to be stronger than you think. For that you need to push away from your comfort zone and feel the hurt. Prepare for the toughest challenge. Be prepared!

4. Spiritual - Feel your soul, as one with the Universe.  As you approach dropping into Mavericks, the spirit is going to have to be with you. The spirit is what feeds your willingness to breath and live. The connection with the wave and your soul will be key to surfing and conquering Mavericks...

Sometimes, you just have to go: yeah, whatever...

(with yourself too...)

Dream sweet Dreams... they might come true.

more consciousness on Being

Become transparent. Become balanced.
Your body is the rock on top of all the others. All rocks are important for the balance of the whole. Interesting perspective...

From Dr. Lissa Rankin:

Wishing to feel the Old...

I’ve been feeling disappointed with my work and my days, and so, with my life, “because how you live your days is, of course, how you live your life”, and it isn’t because I don’t feel motivated to learn new things, to start new projects, or improve my surfing and overall physical fitness. I’ve come to the conclusion that is the lack of connection with what I’m doing that is bringing me down.

Everything goes on and changes in such speed, that I don’t have the time to fall in love. I can’t waste anytime over thinking an idea, the client is waiting for the project to be finished yesterday! And if I choose to only focus on that project, then I lose contact with friends, with my health...

We’re going to fast, Life has become like fast food. You don’t have time to think on the why’s, the magic, the subtleness, no, you just keep racing and looking, and throwing away experiences...

I like Art, and I studied graphic design because I felt the esthetic fruition that a certain picture and a sentence, and how the two could be combine in such a way that could make the viewer dive in deeper layers of feelings, and all from a simple object, a page.

But I don’t know anyone that isn’t actually being strangled by time.

Breaks are important. Essential for a healthy living.
We need breaks, and we need time to thoughtfully choose the best solution.

Do your best to stop rushing and be strong not to be bent again, because the whole world is on ecstasy. Social media; social traveling; social dating; social news reporting ecstasy...

What’s the new thing???? Have you heard??? What are your plans??? Ohhh you're crazy! You’re unstoppable! You’re a machine!

My wish is to stop all this mental choking and return to the origins of things. The origin of food; the origin of drawing; the origin of friendships...

The old mechanics of Letterpress. The focus, and the distinct feel of the ink on the paper. Makes your appreciate things more, doesn’t it?

Upside Down, Left To Right: A Letterpress Film from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.

There has to be a right way...

“Peace can be made only by those who are peaceful, and love can be shown only by those who love. No work of love will flourish out of guilt, fear, or hollowness of heart, just as no valid plans for the future can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.”
— Alan Watts

“There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life.”
— John Lennon

Life, Non-Stop...

“Life moves on, whether we act as cowards or heroes. Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly. Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate or despise, serves to defeat us in the end. What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind. Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.”

— Henry Miller

Behold of all the Abundance that surrounds you.

God is infinite and in Him everything is possible. All that my soul wishes becomes a reality. If my Life has not been felt complete as I wish it to be, it’s not because the Universe hasn’t been on my side, but because I didn’t have the clear sight to see what was in front of me. In many times, I didn’t see that my dreams had come true because I didn’t believe that was possible, I didn’t believe I could ever deserve such Joy.

Little by little I have been shown that miracles happen everyday. I just need to keep my “sight” clean, by taking care of my mental hygiene.

I want to cultivate a garden of Love and Joy. I want to inhale and exhale an energy of pleasure and satisfaction. I want to feel complete, alert, open. I want to feel whole with Time and Space.

I have no resentment towards anyone for we all make mistakes. I have done so many. To forgive, I just need to believe I am Free, and I can take care of myself.

Thank you.

In nowadays, everyone knows the price of everything,
but unfortunately not it's value...

David Smith, Sign Artist, beautiful work.
Such care and attention.

David A Smith - Sign Artist from Danny Cooke on Vimeo.

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes, yeah

You just might find you get what you need!

Sossego, com um sorriso nos lábios...

“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sometimes we get damped in melancholy. We have a different look at life and it doesn’t feel meaningful. On the contrary. All the mistakes, the avoidances, the regrets seem to come to surface and float on the surface of the ocean.

When I get this feeling, I want sit back and clean up my home, clean my body, draw, write or read, and listen to soft music. I don’t get angry with myself for not being enthusiast about life. Melancholy is sometimes necessary to rearrange our thoughts.

When you need to be more pensive about your choices it’s natural that you get a bit sad. The sobriety of Life feels profound and heavy. When we’re happy we’re distracted about everything, we’re like kids, enthusiastic about everything, curious, brave in exploring.

That’s why “Sossego” (calmness) is sometimes important. Reevaluate your choices, reconnect with your deep self, continue the voyage within and get a little bit closer of being free of conditioning, social conditioning.

The World's best hotel room ; )

Two Things

1. We start wars in our own homes. If we want peace in the World we've got to start feeding it right where we are.

2. Use that terrible unforgiving feeling of disappointment of another failed relationship, another frustrating job, another sad news, to raise up and get closer to a more refined you! Yes, you actually get better by going through bad stuff. The Key is to cry your soul out, realize the core issue of your frustration and build a more solid bridge. The water in the river has to run towards the ocean, no good in building dams of anger and resentment, one day they will collapse.



(...)
"In this social chaos

There's violence in the air

Gotta keep your wits about you

Be careful not to stare

Oh-oh-oh-oh

Where did all the love go?"

(...)

Connection...

OVERVIEW from Planetary Collective on Vimeo.

Believe and it will happen...

Just try it...

On your way to work, or coming back home, or early in the morning, right before you step out of bed, marinate in lovely, sensual, happiest, joyfullest thoughts.

Imagine yourself indulged by all the things that rise up your spirit from here to the moon.

Watch your self, super happy and sweet, waking up in the house of your dreams, ahhh... and the day already feels wonderful, for all of you is happiness and excitement for this new day!

Your fantasy, your adorable, lovable and unique fantasy.

Then ask to come true. With a simple, but powerful YES.
YES, I want that.

Powerful!

Cultivate your Intuition...

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” 

— Steve Jobs

How can you follow your Heart?

1st 
Kick away fear and vain desires (the ones that won't bring any positvity to you, just "weight" in your consciousness)

2nd
Intuition presents itself independent of our anxiety and anticipation. So try hard to in the present moment. Right Here, right Now. Be present. Be aware. Use your senses. Quiet the mind so you can hear, smell, taste and feel where you are.

3rd 
Meditate. Take time off to sit quietly somewhere. Focus on your breath. Focus on goos feelings. Empty your body. Leave the ego behind. Let your spirit flood you with joyful energy.

4th
When you’re in doubt, notice how you feel towards your options. If its feeling heavy and somber, maybe you should go that way. If it feel acute and light, than most probably you’re going the right way.

5th
Trust your intuition. If for no reason you think of something you should do or take, do it, take it with you. Trust you inner voice.

6th
Dance, exercise, sing, clean your spirit of bad vibes. Detox your spirit with pleasant things. Take a walk, listen to music. As you clean your body, clean your soul.

7th
Gratitude. Feel Gratitude, because everyday is another chance you get to do it right. To learn. Be happy with what you already have, and feel grateful for all the possibilities ahead.

Give Love and Goofyness! Play : )

“The great irony of life: You only keep what you give.
You only hold onto what you let go.”

— Yasmin Mogahed

“The disciples were full of questions about God.
Said the Guru, “God is Unknown, the Unknowable. Every statement about Him, every answer to your questions, is a distortion of the Truth.”
The disciples were bewildered.
“Then why do you speak about Him at all?!”
“Why does the bird sing?” said the Guru.
“Not because he has a statement, but because he has a song.
The words of the Scholar are to be understood. The words of the Guru are not to be understood. They are to be listened to as one listens to the wind in the trees and the sound of the river and the song of the bird. They will awaken something within the heart that is beyond all knowledge.”

— ADM




“The blackness would stir and eventually go away, and God would remain, a shining point of light in my heart. I would go on loving.”
— Life of Pi