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We usually look outside of ourselves for heroes and teachers. It has not occurred to most people that they may already be the role model they seek. The wholeness they are looking for may be trapped within themselves by beliefs, attitudes, and self-doubt. But our wholeness exists in us now. Trapped though it may be, it can be called upon for guidance, direction, and most fundamentally, comfort. It can be remembered. Eventually we may come to live by it.

Rachel Naomi Remen, Stories That Heal

All of science, all of music, all of art, all of travel, all of literature, all new discoveries and adventure happen when people forget the words "impossible" and "never."

Most hostile people are very self-involved, an understandable complement to their cynicism. The longstanding focus on self, as well as the need to be in control, grows out of a lack of trust in others. If you don't place much trust in other people, you have only yourself to count on. Hence, much of your conversation is laced with references to yourself - I, me, mine. This low level of trust in others and its attendant high level of self-involvement frequently cause the hostile person to pay little attention to what the other person is saying or doing.

Fear and Hope

Inside the human heart is fear.

There is also hope.

The two wrestle constantly, like Jacob and his God.

Sometimes one prevails. Sometimes the other.

The struggle is sometimes silent, other times loud.

But it is constant - fear, hope, fear, hope.

Flashes of light and shadow twirling inside us all the time.

It is so much easier when there is love.

When love is in your life

It becomes the context for it all.

Love is the measure of a life well lived,

It is the beacon of possibility.

When I Am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, "Stay awhile."

The light flows from their branches.