Kathzoofus

This is from a rather new journal that I received from Krush last summer. I haven't officially named it yet but it tends to reflect some of the rules I have for my life. Specifically around what I will and will not tolerate from people around me. This entry is dated 10/08/2004: Broken, fearful & wounded are not attractive qualities. Ever.

If you take a looksy over to the left side of this page you'll see that I have a link to the website for Oriah Mountain Dreamer . I absolutely adore her work and have read and re-read her books many many times. Right now I'm reading (again) The Invitation . I remember the first time I read the book, reading a passage about solitude and it made me feel sad that I had no experience ever truly being alone with myself. Over the years I have gotten better at appreciating true solitude. The kind of solitude that leaves you sitting alone, in silence, lost in the sounds of your own thoughts. This is the passage that I read last night and as I read it this time, I was filled with happiness knowing that I can absolutely find peace with my own company: "When I ask if you can be alone with yourself, I am not asking if the idea of being alone appeals to you but if you can actually be present, with yourself, for longer than a couple of hours, without flipping on the TV or the radio ...

I believe that if we stand up and take responsibility for our mistakes we risk many things but the knowledge we gain is worth much, much more. I believe that risk and failure and success and experience and about a million other things build character ...or take away from it. I believe that happiness is not about good luck or good fortune but rather a decision that we make with each experience that we have. I believe that all peace and happiness starts within and moves without . I do not believe you can reverse that. I believe we can waste a lifetime blaming ourselves or blaming others for the problems in our life or our world or we can spend a lifetime doing something about it. I believe whether you make a conscious decision or not, you are setting an example for somebody. I believe like attracts like , who and what do you want to attract? I believe good memories are better than good inheritances . I believe what you say isn’t half as important as what you do . I ...

Have you ever received advice from someone that was CERTAIN that their recommendation was the ONLY possible solution? Have you ever encountered a person that made you feel like their attempt to help you was actually smothering the LIFE out of you? Have you ever received advice from someone that actually came across as UPSET when you decided to go a route other than what they suggested? Oh, haaaaaaaaaaave IIIIIIIIIIIII ever... I saw this quote today and my head almost bobbeled off I nodded in agreement so hard: "The true secret of giving advice is, after you have honestly given it, to be perfectly indifferent whether it is taken or not, and never persist in trying to set people right." ~Henry Ward Beecher , US abolitionist & clergyman

"Happiness is as a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but which if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." ~Nathaniel Hawthorne

"There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year's course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word 'happy' would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness." ~Carl Jung

"The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn, like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!" ~John Kerouac

"A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent." ~Douglas McCarther Great leaders aren't just in the workplace. They lead volunteer efforts, churches, sports teams & communities. Where do you see great leaders?