" Purpose ... "

I saw an angel hit the ground
Fly to nowhere above sky
Cross another cold state line
Purpose almost hard to find

Climb a mountain reach the sun
Face the storm and lightning thunder
Seem I never found it one
Purpose really hard to find

Another time to stay
Almost fine the way

You believe of what you say
You believe of what you learn
If you fine these one
Many life will come into you

~ Stand Up ~ Purpose ~

***

I believe that once you have served your purpose, your time is up.  Regardless of age or circumstances, I believe we are all here for a reason.  And some may feel that reason  is connected to God, or to do God’s work ... so what is your purpose?

Not really a question that is asked in a daily conversation ...  

Soooooo, how are youuuuu? and whaaaaaaat’s your purpose?

We don’t usually think in this way and thank goodness, most of us don’t talk this way.  Yet we don’t think about purpose, we think about the things we need to do, the things we have done, the things we may miss out on, and the people we do the things with.  Does that about sum it up?  So where in all those thoughts does purpose fit in?

Well that is entirely up to you.  You can take ANY opportunity ... abandonment, death, illness, loss ... and ask what is the blessing in this ordeal?  And is it really an ordeal or is it an adventure?  And does this line of questioning annoy you?

Probably ... because I have had some say, it is easy to write inspirational thoughts when you are in a good place.  But here is the catch, we can be in a good place because it is available to us, always.  Period.  But we have to want it … leading you to your purpose ... trust me, from experience, it happens.  

Having had to attend a few funerals this year, as well as say goodbye to all but one fellow “patient” from the Gerson clinic in the last three years … accepting ANY death can be, well, unbearable.  When our loved ones pass on, sadness amongst other emotions, is natural.  But I know what that sadness is for me ... for what I will miss in that person.  I also believe that as difficult, tragic and overwhelming the loss is, there must be some purpose that had been reached.  I don't have to LIKE it but I trust the process and have faith in the journey we think we control, but don’t.

And that is the power of purpose.  It is what gives us strength to carry on through transitions and changes.  This shift is towards our ultimate goal and the path that fits ...

So the next logical question may be … how do I find or know my purpose?  Well it seems that the more we dedicate ourselves to a cause greater than ourselves something happens … we can add our values, strengths and passion to figure out how combined can be put into service … purpose.

I use to believe that there had to be a grand gesture to signify my purpose.  And still working towards meeting a purpose, at times, my thoughts change on why and how and where I am, what I can share and how it impacts, anyone.  

Yet, I’ve realized that the gesture doesn’t have to be grand.  It is possible to experience small adversities that provide opportunities for progress.  And within these small adversities, my purpose lies ... because suffering is an opportunity to reflect on the mistakes of my own mind and to reform myself.  

Perhaps that is when our purpose has been fully met …  

www.walkstrong.ca

" Great Expectations ... "

You've got great expectations 

You've got great expectations ... 

You've got great expectations, do you want to play the role 

You've got great expectations, you'd even sell me your soul ... 

You've got great expectations 

You've got great expectations 

~ KISS ~ Great Expectations ~ 

***

Expectations usually cause more stress than joy because we’ve attached ourselves to an outcome which is uncontrollable.  The disappointment happens when the kindness isn’t returned because what we imagined to be didn’t happen.   

Yet, when we release the need to control what we get, we also release suffering.  You see, tempering expectations of other people will reduce unnecessary frustrations and help you focus on the things that truly matter.

So how do we begin to do so ....

By realizing that we are not in the world to live up to the expectations of others, nor should others live up to ours.  The more you approve of your own decisions in life, the less approval you need from others.  Others progress or success has no connection to your life, because it is about spending your life happily in your own way.

By understanding that it is important to respect yourself more than anyone’s respect of you.  Have faith and trust in who you are and then the willingness to act upon it.  Your path, your purpose, your life.

By knowing your worth and spend time with those who value you because no matter how good you are to people, there will always be negative people who criticize.  Know that the toughest battle you’ll ever have to fight is the battle to be yourself.

By not expecting others to fit into your ideas of who they are.  Allowing others to be themselves is real love an respect ... start appreciating them for who they are instead of who you want them to be.

People rarely behave exactly the way you want them to.  The magnitude of your happiness will be directly proportional to your thoughts.  Remember that everyone deserves to be happy and live their live, not the life you want them to ... don’t let the opinions of others make you forget that.  

Releasing expectations doesn’t mean you give others the option to treat you thoughtlessly, it just means your motivations are aligned with giving with no strings attached.  And in the end, the people who care about you will naturally be there for you in return ... without any expectations for them to do so.

" Suffering ... "

All that you suffer is all that you are

All that you smother is all that you are

And you're saying you're seeing, you're saying who you are

What takes meaning is cleaning the meaning of who you are 

All your struggles beneath your disguise

Drink from the reasons that hold you alive

'Til we're safe from the wounds of desire and pain

You must rise from the mounds of desire and change

Too late to discover peace of mind (have no peace of mind)

Too late to recover

~ Smashing Pumpkins ~ Suffering ~

***

What does it mean to suffer ... this was a question posed to our meditation class this week.  There were a variety of answers but our teacher Dr. P said “suffering is the difference between what is and what you think it should be”.

When we hold on to perspectives that no longer serve us and fail to see a new way to reframe our lives ... we suffer.  

When we intersect old and new thinking ... we suffer.

According to Buddhism, to live means to suffer because our nature is not perfect and neither is the world we live in.  Life in its totality is imperfect and incomplete because our world is subject to impermanence.  And the origin or suffering is attachment to transient things - physical objects, ideas and perceptions ... their loss is inevitable, thus we suffer.

So how do we cease suffering?  Rethink our assumptions and link them with our “why” way of thinking.  The gradual path of self-improvement ... “can extend over many lifetimes, throughout which every individual rebirth is subject to karmic conditioning”.

When we get in touch with our own purpose, we can look for ways to which our difficult experiences support this.  Find a way of expressing a difficult experience so that logic or rationale can results as to why all this is happening.  You can transcend your suffering and get in touch with its meaning by developing a narrative, story, or theme.  This may help you see how, in the long run, this experience was a serendipitous match for you on your life’s path. 

Instead of asking about the meaning of life, think of yourself as one who is being questioned by life, moment by moment.  Lots of people are so distracted by searching for the light at the end of the tunnel that they cannot see clearly what’s right next to them.  “What is life asking of you right now? Can you light a figurative candle in your hand to illuminate this moment so that you and those around you can make a difference today?”

Define new habits or behaviours that have come from a time of difficulty that will support and strengthen your character as you move forward.  Consider your growth as a results of the challenges you face ... perhaps you are more creative, patient, compassionate and resilent.  Insights may flood in as a sense of becoming a new person.

Meaning can find you even when you can’t find meaning.  Just be open and willing to be found ... don’t wait until you have only a few days left to experience a meaningful life ...