Author: Anne

This author has written 828 articles

Self-importance

Self-importance is our greatest enemy.  Think about it- what weakens us is feeling offended by the deeds and misdeeds of our fellowmen.  Our self-importance requires that we spend most of our lives offended by someone.

FROM:  Carlos Castañeda’s book The Fire From Within

Carlos Castañeda was a Peruvian-American author. Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that purport to describe training in shamanism that he received under the tutelage of a supposed Yaqui “Man of Knowledge” named don Juan Matus. He wrote a total of 15 books.  His works helped define the 1960’s and usher in the New Age movement. 

REFLECTION:

  • How self-important do you think you are?
  • Are there deeds/misdeeds of others that you are offended by right now?
  • Examine you self-importance in relation to feeling offended by someone. What shift you can make?

Making A Difference… Making A Point

Change comes about when the story the other person tells themselves begins to change.  If all you do is make a point, you’ve handed them a story about yourself.  When you make a change, you’ve helps them embrace a new story about themselves.  And even though it’s more fun (and feels safe, in some way) to make a point, if we really care, we’ll do the hard work to make a difference instead.

FROM:  Seth Godin’s Daily Blog titled Making a difference (making a point).

REFLECTION:

  • When speaking with someone, do you try to make a point or make a difference?
  • What story are you telling yourself?
  • What story are you telling others?
  • How can you embrace a new story about yourself or another you are in relationship with?
  • Explore the possibility of making a difference.

WHEN….

When it’s over, I want to say all my life I was a bride married to amazement.  I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder if I have made of my life something particular, and real.  I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened, or full of argument.

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.

FROM:  The poem:  WHEN DEATH COMES by Mary Oliver.

Mary Oliver (1935- 2019)was an American poet who won the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. Her work is inspired by nature, rather than the human world, stemming from her lifelong passion for solitary walks in the wild.

REFLECTION:

  • How “amazed” are you living?
  • Have you taken the world into your arms?
  • Are you doing more than just visiting this world?
  • How can you be… what can you do to ensure you have made something particular and real with your life?