SHEDDING

“The snake which cannot cast its skin has to die.  As well the minds which are prevented from changing their opinions; they cease to be mind.”

Quote by Friedrich Nietzsche

Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche October 1844 – 25 August 1900) was a German philosopher, cultural critic, composer, poet, writer, and philologist whose work has exerted a profound influence on modern intellectual history. He began his career as a classical philologist before turning to philosophy. He became the youngest person ever to hold the Chair of Classical Philology at the University fo Basel in 1869 at the age of 24. Nietzsche resigned in 1879 due to health problems that plagued him most of his life; he completed much of his core writing in the following decade. In 1889, at age 44, he suffered a collapse and afterward a complete loss of his mental faculties. He lived his remaining years in the care of his mother until her death in 1897 and then with his sister Elizabeth Forster-Nietzsche.  Nietzsche died in 1900. Source: Wikipedia

REFLECTION:

  • How much capacity do you have to change your ideas/opinion?
  • Do you have a skin that you have outgrown?
  • What needs to be shed?
  • Are you willing to test ideas, explore your imagination, observe how different perspectives may help you see things differently?
  • Can you shed a wedded personal position?

GOODNESS

A beloved bear belted in for a wagon ride down to the river. The 4 year old little girl shares her breakfast with Bear too!

Goodness is a flame that can be hidden but never extinguished.

Quote by Nelson Mandela

REFLECTION:

  • You have the light of goodness in you now. 
  • Is your light burning at low intensity?
  • What goodness can you do to stoke the fire to have it burn brighter?

HEAVEN

Sometimes Heaven is just a new pair of glasses.  When we put them on, we see the awful person, sometimes even ourselves, a bit more gently and we are blessed in return. 

Quote by Father Ed Dowling

Father Edward Dowling, also known as Father Ed, was a Jesuit priest and spiritual advisor to Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. 

REFLECTION:

  • Are you ready to try on a new pair of glasses and experience “heaven?”
  • Can you see self, others, a situation a bit more gently with these new lenses?