Finding Peace in the Noise

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A Guide to Living Well in a Busy World

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the constant hustle and bustle of life? Do you long for moments of quiet amidst the chaos? If so, you’re not alone. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget the importance of finding inner peace and living with intention.

But what if there was a guide, a set of principles, to help you navigate the noise and find harmony within yourself? That’s exactly what this timeless piece of writing, often attributed to Max Ehrmann, offers. Let’s delve into some of its key messages and see how they can be applied to our daily lives:

The Power of Calmness:

  • “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.” This opening line sets the tone for the entire piece. It reminds us that even when surrounded by external chaos, we can find solace within ourselves. By practicing mindfulness and taking time for stillness, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace that will carry us through any storm.

Building Meaningful Relationships:

  • “As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.” This passage emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in our interactions with others. It encourages us to listen with an open heart, even to those who may seem different from us. By fostering genuine connections, we enrich our lives and create a more harmonious world.

Finding Your Path:

  • “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.” This advice reminds us that true fulfillment comes from embracing our unique journey. Comparing ourselves to others only leads to dissatisfaction. Instead, we should focus on celebrating our own accomplishments and living with purpose in the present moment.

Living with Gratitude and Integrity:

  • “Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.” This passage emphasizes the importance of finding meaning and purpose in our work, while remaining ethical and responsible. It encourages us to cultivate a sense of integrity in all aspects of our lives.

Love and Compassion:

  • “Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.” This powerful statement reminds us to stay true to ourselves and embrace love in all its forms. It encourages us to reject cynicism and believe in the enduring power of love, even in the midst of challenges.

Finding Strength and Acceptance:

  • “Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.” As we age, it’s important to adapt and embrace the changes life brings. This passage encourages us to develop inner strength and resilience, while learning to let go of anxieties and fears.

Embracing the Universe:

  • “You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.” This profound message reminds us of our place in the grand scheme of things. It encourages us to trust the flow of life and accept our existence with a sense of wonder and belonging.

Finding Joy and Peace:

  • “With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.” Despite the challenges we face, life is a precious gift. This passage reminds us to find joy in the simple things and to cultivate an attitude of optimism and gratitude.

Beyond Words, Action:

This timeless piece is not just about words, but about action. It’s a call to live our lives with intention, purpose, and compassion. By applying its principles in our daily choices, we can cultivate inner peace, build meaningful relationships, and contribute to a more beautiful world.

So, take a deep breath, find a quiet corner, and let these words wash over you. Remember, the path to a more fulfilling life starts within. Choose love over hate, peace over chaos, and joy over despair. Take the first step today and embark on your own journey of finding peace in the noise.

Sources

info

  1. uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desiderata
  2. medium.com/@dewanpaavni/desiderata-61c1e3ccf6ef#:~:text=When%20we%20face%20the%20noise,are%20a%20force%20of%20nature.
  3. www.awakin.org/read/view.php?tid=476#:~:text=Go%20placidly%20amid%20the%20noise%20and%20the%20haste%2C%20and%20remember,as%20well%20as%20your%20plans.

The Poem/Song that never ends

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O.K. here is a long poem. Grace the Dove lady wrote it in 1998, a time when many poems came to her. I was singing a song that Shari Lewis had Lambchops sing, and it turned into a poem for me. So here goes. Warning. It is very long.



This is the poem that never ends
It just goes on and on my friend
One day I started writing it
Not knowing what it was
And I continued writing it forever just because

I know you want this poem to end
For it to not begin again
And I’m going to end it soon
The message to ensue
Will show you that your acting out
A cycle like this too.

For so many do complain
Talk about their grief and pain
We’ve been talking about it now
Since day one did begin
For when we split the cell in two
We started saying me and you

Mine and Thine became our theme
And mine, not thine, we echoed too
It happened each and every time
When we got into fear
The fear you see became control
Saying things would make them so

So we began then to create
And we created with our fear
Thinking that there was a you and me
Our oneness disappeared
Until our fears piled up so high
We forgot our descent from the sky.

Pretty much we were earthbound
And we keep going round and round
We didn’t realize that with our words we could create
So when we put our brother down
Those words we said, they would rebound.

You know that fear turns into hate
And yes with hate we could create
We had thought that we were only
Trying to survive
And so we thought of many ways
In order to provide

Security became our quest
And so we started to devise
There were oh so many things
Our minds were cooking up
The fun we had,, the terror too
The dramas then that would ensue

We came into a time of fear
Cause we no longer knew our place
Had been to be a God descended from above
We didn’t know our mission here
Was to become the Love

We wanted only to survive
And many times in order to
We would take from others what they were
Holding in their hand
We forgot that our purpose here
Was to serve our fellow man

So we started to complain
About all the grief and pain
And our talking about the things
Our eyes would look upon
Made things not change
Our words you see
Were creating our reality.

So I am writing this long poem
It’s my way to make it plain
To get a lot of us to just start looking at our thoughts
The way you know to get control
Is to lose the fear but then you know,

It won’t happen if we allow
Ourselves to be choked up with fear
And recounting all the things we see as being bad
The telling of it ore and ore
It’s such a pain, it’s such a chore.

To talk about them is just like
This poem that goes forever on
Forever we could talk about
The things we’re calling wrong
Until we finally realized, it’s taking way to long

So I have made a long long poem
To show you of our Father’s plan
Not to call the things we see
For that’s not the way of God
For we can call what is not
Just as though it were.

And you know what we can say
“My words will not return unto me void
But they will go out there
To accomplish all my will
I call it done
I call it good
And I call it in the name of “ME”

For we are Gods you see
No need to call it blasphemy
In his image we were made;
We are creators too
Our words you see
They are the key
To changing our reality

So we must watch that little tongue
For it is set on fire of hell
For the hell we make, we’re living in it now
And we can make another choice
That’s what we’re here to do

We will have heaven on earth
We are here to bring the birth
For we are the Sons of God
The world is waiting for
We’re bringing light and light is truth
And truth is Love
Unconditional Love

Unconditional Love we have
We don’t call things good or bad
We have no rules to make you follow
Nor forms of control
We won’t possess
We won’t dictate
We’ll show you how to
Give up the hate

You know sweet Earth’s evolving too
And though the workers may be few
You see it only takes a few you know
To get it done so all will know
And we can have heaven below

When we learn just how to walk
When we finally walk our talk
We’ve been going round and round you see
But now it’s time for mastery
And it begins with you and me

So let it all begin with you
You know your heart knows what to do
We’ve been playing round and round with this
And there is waiting so much bliss
Only listen to your feelings now

Don’t try to intellectualize
Don’t only look with physical eyes
For the Spirit wants to move in you
Mother Earth is pushing through
She loves the help that comes from you.

And now the world is speeding up
For kindergarten school is through
The bell has rang for all to hear
The message we make clear
We’re proud to say, no more delay
The end is near, the end is near.

Now we are going to graduate
We’re going to lift our banners high
And embrace the joy and all is well
There is no devil, there is no hell
There is only God
And God is Love

And the complaining all will end
And then my poem will dissipate
The fear that’s given us such hell on earth
Recognizes now the light
There’s no more fear, there’s no more night

And the gates are opened wide
There’s no place for fear to hide
And everyone will say
I need not belief
I know I’m love, unconditional love
God has descended from above

We have risen up to meet
Our resurrection is complete
Now as below, so, up above
The world is filled with so much love
Of which there is no end.

Oh yes, there’s more of this to come
But for now the poem is done……

Oh, about time!

God’s Song In Me: A Poem of Self-Discovery

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God’s Song In Me: A Poem of Self-Discovery

In 1998, The Dove lady experienced a period of prolific poetry, often composing lengthy and meaningful verses. Today, She share one titled “God’s Song In Me,” a message of self-discovery and the ever-present power of love.

The Poem

The poem opens with the empowering declaration of knowing who you are and where you’re going, for you are already there. It emphasizes the concept of the present moment being all that exists, with the past and future mere illusions.

It urges you to take a leap of faith, embracing the “Holy Instant Now” and its potential to transform the past, present, and future. This transformation hinges on your own choices and your ability to control your thoughts.

Living in the Present and Embracing Love

The poem emphasizes living in the present and cherishing the gift of life. It reminds you that you are part of a larger whole, connected to everything and everyone around you.

Love is presented as the fundamental law, the only true reality. Hate, fear, and judgment are deemed illusions, creations of the mind that hold no power against the all-encompassing force of love.

Remembering and Reuniting

The final lines encourage you to “remember” your true nature, which is one with God and all of creation. This act of remembering reconnects you with the divine spark within yourself and fosters love and understanding for all beings.

Personal Reflection

“God’s Song In Me” presents a powerful message of self-discovery and the transformative power of love. It serves as a reminder to embrace the present moment, release negativity, and reconnect with the divine essence that resides within each of us.

Note:

It’s important to remember that the interpretation of this poem may vary depending on individual beliefs and perspectives. This blog post provides one potential interpretation, and I encourage you to explore the poem further and draw your own conclusions.

God’s Song In Me.

I know who I am and I know where I’m going Because I know that I’m already there. I need not go anywhere All that God has for me is already inside of me.

You think there is a past And you think there is a future And you are going back and forth between the two. Here’s a secret, this is what you do.

From now on the present Is the only place to be. For the future is already here And the past is no longer relevant.

You can only take the leap of faith to decide that now Is the best time to be alive And make the most of this Holy Instant Now For when you do, Oh when you do You change the past and you change the future For they can have no control of you.

There is no other way for you to have your way So live within this day and change your very thought So it can have the sway over all your by-gone days And all your future too.

It’s really up to you, this moment that is true Depends on me and you To cooperate, to dedicate, to contemplate, to concentrate, To appreciate, to demonstrate, to celebrate, to officiate.

For life is for the living NOW There is no other time For I have made you mine.

You can only lose your mind If you take it out of mine.

You are all a part of me and I know that you will see ME living in you, as you, and through you. But not for you and not only you For I am in everyone of you.

See me in everyone you see. Don’t condemn any part of me. I am able to give you Light When you realize to your delight That I am the Light that shines from within Each person no matter how dim, No matter how you think of him.

For good and bad is only your way Of making your words construct things your way. Good and bad are only your rules of What you want and what you’ll see.

The truth is that I am a God of ONE. My Law is love and only love. You can not break it into it’s opposite For nothing else can oppose it.

You are only fooling yourself to think that You can make anything but love. No one using hate has made anything that last. The truth about what you have made out of fear is Just that it is an illusion.

I know, this sounds queer But illusions are happening all around you To help you remember And to know what you can do.

You have the power within yourself To make your world behave itself. I have given you the dominion. But you gave it away and Now you can decide to take it back.

When you can remember The one that you are is God, Then you will discover that You are one with it all, The sunset, the trees, the sea and the breeze The plant and the ground, the worm in the dirt But also the star that shines above.

You’re everywhere present. Your everywhere love.

Oh when you remember, you’re re-membering me. You bring me together with love, can’t you see? You get out your own special ways of expressing All of the love that my heart is out-pressing.

You find love in everyone only when you Know that you’re looking for me in them too.

For your narrow minded ways of thinking you are separate Have made for you senseless things that won’t last. They are temporary, they all pass away. Your doctrines, your rituals, your do-it-my-way. Your smug little feeling of superiority Is something you use to deny my authority.

We don’t get to heaven by refusing to see The simple fact that everyone is me. My love is a transforming power you see And hate has not power to do things my way.

For hate draws the user into its own self, And nothing is possible to build that will last. It builds nothing. It destroys nothing. It is nothing. For you see, hate is only a thought you have thought.

And it is a thought you have thought because of fear. Because you won’t remember that I’m here in you, in all. Hate is only a thought you have thought. I’ve given it no power, but you have.

It is not real unless you make it real. It is something that you made when you got into fear. Your fear is your own illusion, not mine. I won’t have any part of it, Nor of anger or pain. I’ll have no part of believing this way.

For love is my nature. Love is all that I know. I don’t know judgment, for why would I judge you When I see you as me? I don’t know punishment, for why should I hurt myself? I don’t know doubt for I am certainty.

I am that I am and you are that you are. But what are you going to make of yourself? What is it that you are? You can only be what you think and say. And what you think and say are how you create.

For you are the potter and you are the clay. You are the thinker and you are the thought.

Curtis Matthews

High rep or Heavy training

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56 Years Strong: Muscle Confusion and Crushing Leg Day (400lb Leg Press!)

Man, 56 and still pushing limits! Gotta love the feeling of proving people wrong. 40+ years in the gym and I’m still finding new ways to shock my muscles and keep them growing. Forget the typical routines, I’m all about mixing it up – heavy weights, high reps, you name it. Last week? 1000 air squats had my legs screaming (in a good way!). This week? 400 pounds for 100 reps on the leg press! Talk about muscle confusion! It’s not just cross-training, it’s an art form.

400lbs 100 reps

Speaking of art, check out the video of that leg press challenge. Pretty epic, right? Just a reminder that age is just a number when it comes to pushing yourself. But hey, it’s not all about the numbers. Consistency, clean eating, and that mind-muscle connection – those are my secrets. Gotta feel the workout, you know?

And speaking of clean, did I mention I’m 100% natural? That’s right, no shortcuts, just hard work and dedication. Turning 57 in a couple of weeks, and I wouldn’t feel stronger or more alive. This ain’t just about aesthetics, it’s about proving that anything is possible with the right mindset and approach.

So, here’s to defying expectations, embracing challenges, and proving that age and even genetics are just hurdles, not roadblocks. Keep pushing, keep experimenting, and keep inspiring! Natural and never slowing down – that’s my motto!