I think I'm going to quit trying to prove how great I am, and instead prove how great everyone is. I want to stop being motivated by what others think of me.
What I like about you Jim is you are real. Self acceptance could be as important as self examination. I’m thinking that spirituality is just a daily commitment to love others
Thank you Jim . Reading this on the 31 December morning of 2024 has grounded me so much. They brought me back “home”. Christianity taught me not to love the world too much , not to love myself and not to take charge of my own life and leave everything to God. All of these did not made me “more alive” as what Christianity promised , but more “dead” than ever . Now I choose otherwise now and love life , love the world and love myself.
I wish every discontented or wounded American could read your yearend message! What you wrote is packed with wisdom yet your suggestions are simple & clear as well as inspiring & encouraging. Your quotes by Jesus, Buddha, Nietzsche are gems. A driving influence in my life has been the Serenity Prayer which captures many of your points in shorthand. If God isn't someone's thing it's,"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Acceptance, yes, but willingness to look inside at possible areas of growth. Therapy and Jungian analysis (with Jim Hollis) were the other big growth experiences. If there's a seeker out there wishing for contentment, go for it! I was a complete mess, alcoholic and mentally ill, when my journey began at age 35 but any age is a good starting point.
I read some words of reminder some time back: that we are human 'beings', not human 'doings'. So much of our lives in today's developed world is about how much we are able to 'do' (achieve, attain etc.) These days, as an older (and hopefully wiser) person who has experienced so much in this wonderful, albeit flawed, life of mine, I am joyful despite the past and current physical adversities life has thrown in my way. I learnt through living alone for many years (though I'm not in that place now) that I prefer to concentrate on how I can continue to 'be' in life - to become more myself, focusing on self-love (compassion and acceptance) and giving back, enjoyment of life and other people, and more. Thanks for your piece Jim. I relish being reminded of what's important. __ /\ __
I think I'm going to quit trying to prove how great I am, and instead prove how great everyone is. I want to stop being motivated by what others think of me.
What I like about you Jim is you are real. Self acceptance could be as important as self examination. I’m thinking that spirituality is just a daily commitment to love others
Thank you Jim . Reading this on the 31 December morning of 2024 has grounded me so much. They brought me back “home”. Christianity taught me not to love the world too much , not to love myself and not to take charge of my own life and leave everything to God. All of these did not made me “more alive” as what Christianity promised , but more “dead” than ever . Now I choose otherwise now and love life , love the world and love myself.
I wish every discontented or wounded American could read your yearend message! What you wrote is packed with wisdom yet your suggestions are simple & clear as well as inspiring & encouraging. Your quotes by Jesus, Buddha, Nietzsche are gems. A driving influence in my life has been the Serenity Prayer which captures many of your points in shorthand. If God isn't someone's thing it's,"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Acceptance, yes, but willingness to look inside at possible areas of growth. Therapy and Jungian analysis (with Jim Hollis) were the other big growth experiences. If there's a seeker out there wishing for contentment, go for it! I was a complete mess, alcoholic and mentally ill, when my journey began at age 35 but any age is a good starting point.
Beautifully written, Jim, thankyou. Such wonderful words of wisdom, and a timely reminder to take into the new year.
I TRULY enjoyed THIS!
I read some words of reminder some time back: that we are human 'beings', not human 'doings'. So much of our lives in today's developed world is about how much we are able to 'do' (achieve, attain etc.) These days, as an older (and hopefully wiser) person who has experienced so much in this wonderful, albeit flawed, life of mine, I am joyful despite the past and current physical adversities life has thrown in my way. I learnt through living alone for many years (though I'm not in that place now) that I prefer to concentrate on how I can continue to 'be' in life - to become more myself, focusing on self-love (compassion and acceptance) and giving back, enjoyment of life and other people, and more. Thanks for your piece Jim. I relish being reminded of what's important. __ /\ __
So much wisdom here. Saving this one to digest at my leisure. Thank you for writing. I loved all the quotes. So good.