The Greatest Thing Since...h

Sliced Bread?  Seeking peace and joy  is  a slippery slope if it  is a destination and not a present feeling.  For example, right this moment I  feel a sense of joy in creativity.  Will this be the greatest thing. I have. Ever created?... Well  why should that  be  a concern?  In  comparing the present to the. Greatest we. Diminish our joy and disturb our peace.  Does that mean we shouldn’t shoot for quality or improvement?  Of course it does not...because  our efforts are not only for us but for the service of others and we don’t really. Know where our pieces fit in the puzzles of others.


If you really want to  feel like you. Understand. Your. Accomplishments by a standard that is external well build yourself a liberal list and make it your own—not someone else’s .

Give this a try..

So before sliced  bread what was the standard for bread?—a loaf...and before that?...bread that was only  half-burned?

If that doersn’t work try a car or transportation in general.   Say “this is the greatest thing since a four-wheeled car... and work your  way back. Now this is the greatest thing since the car that you had to get out of  to crank. Start and before that  this was the greatest thing since the horse?

Anyway when you come upon something that  you feel okay about....try not to describe it in a comparison way.. Don’t  steal its joy.

This. Has been joyful writing for. Me... maybe  I’ll  go have some toast.

The Second Most important Question

I can’t  or I won’t  shoot for. Number one on anyone else’s list... but  I heard  something. On “optimal Living Daily” a podcast  that reads blogs and it struck me as a big factor in seeking  joy.  It is the quest to find. Something inside you that is your  particular gift to others.  Seeking. Joy or maybe even peace is  seeking what is unique about you that  assists. Others in finding their “better angels” so to speak.  You as a person  do not have to reach the promised Land.. . but if you. Can dig inside. And find. A way to be the bridge for someone... well there is much joy in that ... and seeking it for many people  helps. One. To focus on your strengths and that often leads to peace rather than the struggle to  root around in your flaws trying to make. Yourself better.  Most of the time something about. You is already. Just what. Someone else needs right now and is  worth seeking after and sharing.

 So “how can I uniquely serve someone else is a very important question... what is the most important question... that comes later.

The Joy of first Steps

 Don’t hurry to the end.  Sure have a goal or at least a first  stop to look for or a compass direction....and then start.  Peace can come from beginning and  approaching the journey you are now on.  The joy in the first step is not however from moving you closer to the end.. but in the fact that you now  have a. Whole new set of  options that you just couldn’t see from the step before.  

What if the first step is a mistake??  Well ... is it really  worse than the Mistake of not SEEKING JOY. or PEACE? 

Well.... only you can  know that...because. These things you will do are your lessons and your treasures.... others will be happy to share pieces of them.

enjoy. A first. Step and take a look around to see what. Is now  around you.  

And  tomorrow. Try again...

Peace and Joy are not at the end of the Path... they are the path... well maybe.. see for yourself   LOL

The Perfection Deception g

PERFECTION IS OUR WORST  NIGHTMARE

It seems harsh to call  something so much sought after ...as the worst... but  let’s  take a mindful look and then  give some heed to the notion.

So often we set a goal and it is perfection.  What. Does. That mean?  Well  first it means  we  want to reach some ultimate  goal, It means  we are going to see ourselves in a constant state of inadequacy.   So often we forget. To enjoy our improvement....

What is probably even tougher  is keeping the notion of what would be perfect internal.  So  we let  our ego set  our standard according to someone else’s  imaginary standard or our perception of that.  In short  we are  losing peace and joy by chasing ghosts.


Learn lessons to help you feel inner. Peace and express outer joy... that’s about as perfect as it can get...

The Limited Power Of Trying Harder

So here’s a thing  to consider....

NO ONE EVER TRIES HARDER...


Seriously, people try  more often, sooner, later, faster, slower, etc., but this is not  always “harder” in fact  it’s often easier... and more importantly differently.

The  key to seeking peace and joy is not trying harder to reach  a goal that may  or may not  bring joy.  The key is. Honoring the dcuriousity and  the need to fail.

What joy or peace can come from. Failure...sure because with failure comes a lesson.

In the. End  learning  can bring the peace. Of knowing the experimental  process. You use will get.  You somewhere   You were seeking  and that can be a peaceful place.  The  reaching. Of a goal can  help you build. The processes that work and help you understand that  living in the processes of your life can. Be joyful.  And so. In the end stop  trying harder...    try differently and seek  joy in failure and peace. On the path to learning a new process. O

Avoiding Rumors

The thing about rumors is that they can never  be recaptured  once you let them go.  Therefore, they run through the universe  just like  Thing 1  and Thing 2  from  the Catt in the Hat .   They  pay no attention  to intent.  They  carry  no attribution  to their  “owner” and they completely ignore any boundaries..  They attach themselves to  people  both innocent and guilty  of  misusing facts to construct  possible stories that contain facts but not  truth.  

In short there is no  peace in the  message of a rumor

In so many ways rumors  are like  verbal acid.  Once you spill  one you can  not stop the damage no matter  how many  times you  may attempt to stop  it or regain control.  They  burn  through the fabric of  peace —there goes  the  peace of all  who get touched  in any ways  by the web of all rumors. 

I am caught  in the web of  rumors  that may  cost my family a good deal.. I forgive you who started it  and will work  on the same for those  repeating  ... 

So .... back to  how one seeks peace... 

AVOID RUMORS

If someroner presents  one to you by saying “you know what I heard” .... Politely  shake your  head and simply say... No.and  if you only  heard it  I don’t  need to know it.... you will then protect the peace you are seeking.   

Those seeking peace have a responsibility  to fellow seekers... so please  do so and I shall do the same.

Aememn

these things usually End Badly

 Well let’s face it you don’t usually seek peace and joy when you already have it —

 At least for me when I start seeking it usually comes at a time when I have really messed something up.   Sure I have 47 ideas  just how I did that.  It could be that I’m being  over self-critical right then but  you have  to be to find the lessons on your journey.

So the point is...

Don’t wait - start seeking routinely  so you know your favorite  seeking tools.

One of my favorite  peace  seeking tools is  listening to audio books...
Joy.. usually  has to come later.  Tomorrow is THANKSGIVING  and I’ll add some more to peace seeking. Yep

Why peace and joy and why 8? Well

 Well mostly because with peace it means that there is some acceptance.   With joy it most likely means there is some wisdom, satisfaction, and some sharing, however,  you will define joy for yourself.     As far as the eight?  That serves as my reminder or indicator.  The indicator—  It is often said that a successful journey happens when you have failed seven times and still rise for an eighth try. The eight on its side also  stands. For infinity for what that is worth.. 

 The writing, the quotes, the stuff that is found here will be signposts and warnings and blessings.   

 Hopefully they will  be things along my path that somehow I think belong in your path too so seek some peace and joy— rise  for the eighth time!