A Life Metaphor: Warrior Style

Achaemenid Persian Female Warrior Commander

Tonight during my regular candle light yoga practice the Yogi instructor read a passage from a speech ("Citizenship in a Republic") given in Paris at the Sorbonne in 1910 by Theodore Roosevelt.  It really spoke to me as a metaphor for life and how it is a daily battle ground.  We can get into the arena and give our best; win or loose or we can sit on the side lines as critics and automatic loosers for never even trying.

Think about this as you navigate your day today.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 

Dare greatly .... See you in the arena

~ L

xo

It's All Up To YOU

Don't you think it is time to take accountability for your own life? I hear a lot of people blame the universe for their circumstances, or the lack thereof. It is an empowering thing to KNOW that YOU are in control of your life and where it goes. Make a mistake? Fix it. Make amends and learn.  If life faces you with things that are out of your control only YOU have the power of perception. You can perceive it as a negative or try to find the good, the lesson or the reason as it applies to your life path.

I came across a book today gifted to me by my Aunt Glenda as I was ready to move from Ontario, Canada to California to follow my dreams and start a new chapter.

It is called "Always Believe in yourself and your Dreams" - (WAYANT) - Blue Mountain Arts Collection. It is full of some great, simple wisdom about life.  In it was a few words I wanted to share.

"It's All Up To You" ~ Linda E. Knight (p. 17)

This life is the only one you are given.

Look for opportunities to grow and never be discouraged in your efforts to do so.

Replace your weaknesses with positives;

take life's broken pieces and recreate your dreams.

Never measure the future by the past; let yesterday become a memory and tomorrow a promise.

Begin each day by focusing on all that is good and you'll be in a position to handle whatever comes along.

Take responsibility for your action; never make excuses for not being the best you can be.

If you should slip, be comforted by the thought that we all do at times.

Determine your tomorrow by the choices toy make today, and you';; find yourself living in joy and triumph."

This seems simple enough to me.  Can you apply this to your own life? Try it and start TODAY because it's ALL up to YOU.

Keep it Simple

Life with all of it's ups and towns, surprises, tragedies and triumphs it can sometimes feel like it is pretty complicated. Some of the issues you face are quite complex with several layers and are usually emotionally fueled. However, just like everything else there are two ways to look at things. I have always instinctively opted for the complicated or learning the lessons the HARD way.  Lately I am working on taking a new perspective - Simplicity. When you really think about it and change your perspective the situations in life can be pretty simple.  When faced with a new situation wait until the emotions subside to examine it with a clear mind. Put it into perspective and THEN act. It is easier said than done for sure but with practice it can become common place in your life.

You may be surprised with the results.

In the meantime celebrate all that life has to offer. Try to simply look for the good or the lesson in each negative that comes your way. Keep it simple.You never know what will wash up on your shore next. 

Photo: Hayley Marie