Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.
“Walk as if you are kissing the Earth with your feet.”
― Thich Nhat Hanh
I know it probably seems like I post a lot of photos from where we are staying now and I suppose I do, but honestly – I get up every morning, step outside, start walking and am overwhelmed each and every time by how absolutely blessed I am to start my day being greeted with such magnificence… and this in turn pulls me inward, reminding just how much else I have to be grateful for in my life. I have been going through (and am still going through) probably one of the biggest positive lifestyle changes or “shifts” if you will - it is no wonder it had to start by completely resetting me from the ground up - As the expression goes, when the student is ready the teacher will appear.
Among many other changes I am experiencing inwardly, one which has become particularly prominent again as I have mentioned recently is my dreams. I had a dream last night and although the dream itself didn’t spark any major thought processes, the presence of a particular person in the dream did. Growing up, in my tweens and early teens – shortly after starting high school, I was staying in a complex with my mom. There were several kids there around my age and mostly girls too. One was a girl named Shelley. She has since changed her name so I felt it ok to actually make use of her previous name in this post.
A beautiful young girl – physically I mean. I did not really know her very well at the time so could not speak of her inner beauty at that point. All I knew when I looked at her through my eyes was that I wished I had even a fraction of her physical beauty. To me, standing in my scrawny, freckled, red haired body, with very little for anybody to love or even find mildly attractive (in my opinion at the time)… she… was perfect! Not only was she perfect, but she was popular too. Pretty and popular… basically two things every single one of us want or “crave” at some stage or another in our adolescent lives.
Whilst we crossed paths now and again, we never really became friends or got to know one another – not until many, many years later – as young women. I forget how it came about, but it did and we socialised a fair amount for a few years and then lost touch again as she went travelling. The time which we spent together, I noticed how often she would extend compliments toward me, telling me how she envied me, the life I had built for myself (my business, independence etc.) she often remarked “you have it all together”. Receiving such compliments from the “once girl” which I pretty much saw as an elusive goddess was a little weird to be honest, but as time went on, I slowly began to realise why she would say such things. Not only was her life a complete shambles, but she was incredibly sad – I would say borderline depressed. I also discovered that she had suffered terribly with Multiple Sclerosis her entire life.
Becoming aware of all this was a big wake up call for me – it really got me thinking about this “perception of perfection” which I had conjured of her, allowing it to make me feel inferior – a lesser person and yet, I had no idea that she carried burdens far heavier than mine.
As the years of my life have moved on, I have met many people along the way – especially through my business dealings and I began to notice a pattern in certain instances – a pattern which ultimately brought me to the realisation that we simply cannot make assumptions based on face value and we absolutely should NEVER allow such “attempted assumptions” to sway or influence ANY kind of negative thought in our own direction. The pattern I am referring to is a simple one, but for some reason, every time I meet someone who I look at on a physical level and think “wow! Just WOW, they are so fortunate” I have found out shortly after that they have some massive baggage – and I am not referring to self-made baggage, but disease, debilitating condition or the like.
Do not misunderstand what I am saying… I am not in any way implying that physically attractive people always have problems like this – what I am outlining is my observation that personally, I have been presented with such scenario throughout my life and it has taught me valuable lessons regarding assumption, self-love and gratitude – but mostly, gratitude. We are all too quick to seek out the negative in ourselves, make assumptions about others which can render the harbouring of negative feelings, actions or words towards those individuals – both of the above mostly leave us feeling personally short changed.
However, when we realise that firstly - assumption really is the mother of all fnck up’s, secondly - we should treat each person who comes into our lives as an extension of ourselves and lastly - that we ALL have plenty to be grateful for if we simply open our eyes and see… our lives and the more importantly, our PERCEPTION of well… EVERYTHING begins to change, for the better.
Free yourself from the complexities and drama of your life. Simplify. Look within. Within ourselves we all have the gifts and talents we need to fulfill the purpose we've been blessed with.”
― Steve Maraboli
❤❤❤
Until next time...
Much Love from Cape Town, South Africa xxx
Jaynielea
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The Steve Maraboli quote says a lot, Free yourself from the complexities and drama of your life. Simplify. Look within. Within ourselves we all have the gifts and talents we need to fulfill the purpose we've been blessed with.”
Most of his quotes do. I love the way his mind ticks.
A long time ago, I stopped comparing my life to others. I know they have struggles too.
It is a waste of my time to do so. To the greatest extent that I can, I focused on my gift and talents, and I am happier!
It absolutely IS a waste of time - and energy :)
You can say that, again!
:)
Wonderful message) Thank you for sharing your feelings and experiences. I feel that this is sincere and with love..
This is a great reminder that "do not judge and you will not be judged" is one of the most important rules in our life.
And you're right - each of us has enough to be grateful and happy)
And thank you too for the positive feedback, I appreciate it very much!
Yes, we certainly do :)
I'll never tire of your photographs, these are amazing! Lucky you!
It's unfortunate when we form ideas about ourselves based on external things, such as others. I think most of us do this. I know a lot of people who appear to have it all, but when I get close to them, I learn the burdens they carry. We're all similar.
Thank you honey :) Good to know there are at least two people who love them - me, and you haha!!!
So true. Admittedly, I do a lot less of that these days. Must be an age thing :P
Hope you are well xxx
Interesting match of words.. The perception of perfection. I think you summed it up pretty well that we can't judge a book by its cover. Usually people see others as being more fortunate when in fact it might be quite far from the truth. Every person has a hidden struggle, an inner battle, no matter how pretty or fancy they appear. Living in gratitude is an important lesson for all of us, as it shows us that the way we perceive reality is not always how it is.
Precisely.
And this is the one thing that so many too often forget.