Did You Give Yourself a Gift?
Did You Give Yourself a Gift?
We just went through the time of year when everyone is giving gifts to their friends and family. Of course, one of the best gifts we all get every day is the gift of good friends. Good friends enrich our lives in more ways than we can imagine. There are so many differences and similarities among our friends and ourselves, aren’t there? Yet, it’s so true how our friends offer us the opportunity to know ourselves as we are and help us to grow into who we want to be.
When we find people in our lives who are similar to ourselves in some way, we’re usually attracted to them. We tend to feel more comfortable when we see ourselves in them. When we are drawn to those we admire, the same recognition is at work, unconsciously acknowledging that these people possess qualities that we ourselves possess. By acting as mirrors, friends help us define who we are by reflecting our selves back to us.
Then, there are those we encounter in life who are not like us at all. However, we will still find good friends among these people. Differences allow us to see other options and make choices about who we want to be. Sometimes when we’re drawn to those who appear to be our opposites, we learn to accept the parts of them we love and the parts of them that don’t resonate with us, thus allowing us a valuable learning experience.
By expanding our understanding to include others’ experiences, friends help us accept others. By understanding when someone’s life differs from our own, we can learn about ourselves in contrast.
There are times when we see in friends what we don’t like about ourselves. That mirror reflection may be hard to take, but a good friend helps us find ways we can change and supports us in that choice.
One of the great enjoyments of good friendship is the knowledge we are accepted just the way we are without the need to try to change ourselves in someway. Isn’t this a great gift they give us — and also the gift we can give back every day?
Ultimately, we choose friends because they make us feel good about ourselves and life. We can share tears, difficulties and laughter. How lucky we are when we can find people who offer us comfort and the stimulus to grow.
Good friends are the perfect gift we give ourselves every day.
Be well — Be in peace …
Ron Rink
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Always remember this wonderful quote from Buddha ….
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.”~~~ Buddha
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I meditate every day to help keep me centered. Those glimpses we get of peace, love, acceptance and happiness when we’re meditating will soon grow into more than glimpses if we keep practicing. Keep those feelings alive. A meditation can be as simple as one, deep, conscious breath. When something happens in one of your moments to cause you to suffer, just stop and take one of those breaths and remember, “This too shall pass!” Another thing that is wonderful, especially at certain times of the year, is to have a fresh flower where you work. Just stop from time-to-time and look at it — don’t label it — don’t judge it — just be with it for a couple of moments. It really does work. It’s winter where I live so I do miss my fresh flower.
“Each flower is a soul blossoming out to nature”~~~ Gerard de Nerva
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In my meditation I often use what I believe is a powerful aide to deep meditation. It’s the The Holosync Solution.
Rather than write volumes about what it has done for me over the years, there is a new video available called, “One Simple Thing, The Amazing Holosync Story“
Take a few moments, click the link above and check it out. It’s a good one.
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“Those who really seek the path to Enlightenment dictate terms to their mind. Then they proceed with strong determination.”~~~ Buddha
Namaste!
You are special — and you are loved. You are the greatest gift you can be.
Shanti … (A sanscrit word meaning, “Let there be Peace. Peace, beautiful Peace. Peace within, Peace without. Peace in this world. Peace for all beings.”)
“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”~~~ Buddha
~~~ Ron Rink
http://www.buddhistbelief.com
http://www.theleaderinside.com
http://www.wecould2.com
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[tags]peace, inner self, inner peace, Buddhist Belief, spiritual energy, hope, action, value, inner balance, enlightenment, destiny, manifestation, meditation, patience, gratitude, tolerance, acceptance, body balance, life cycle, beginnings, endings, positive thinking, ego, silence, consciousness, staying grounded, cycle of life, sustainability, compassion[/tags]
