More pondering....

I have been thinking alot this weekend about being authentic, discernment and what all that means, and I think most importantly, how it all adds up for each one of us in how we relate to each other. Yeah, I know, a run-on sentence, but I don't profess to be a scholar, nor do I have any desire to go back and edit what I write, as when I do these, they are always free-form and I just plop out whatever comes to my head.

All of us at one point or another in our lives have viewed ourselves with the victim or martyr mentalility, and as I look back and think about any situation where I have put myself in that position, it is because my expectations of the other person or persons involved were way out of whack. Sometimes, I catch glimpses of it in the blogs I read, and wanting to be "helpful" feel the need to jump in and "save" someone from themselves.

The last few days, I have not felt that need. All the teachings are here, we all have the power of discernment, to heal ourselves and to correct situations we find ourselves in or that we chose for ourselves before this life (however you want to view it to be able to have it resonate with you.)

At one point or another we all have had physical limitations or learning limitations, or limitations placed on us by another person. Is it "right"? Is it comfortable? No, probably not, but in the process of taking responsibility for one's own self and life, I think we all have a responsibility to own up to our part in all of this. Whatever "this" may be. In reading the books of/by the Dalai Lama, that has always been the one thing I get out of his teachings. Anywhere you look in this site, too you will see the ongoing message to take responsibility.

Responsibility for the bills getting paid on time, for getting to job on time, for taking care of the animals and surroundings you call home, and all the while being grateful for what you have.

Responsibility to uphold your postitive energy, to discern through what you read and decide if it is your truth or not. How many of us have actually gone through the work and time it takes to dis-assemble each and every thought process you have and or have ever had and determine with your own intelligience whether or not this is a truth or you, or if you have just accepted something because someone you think you admire, or know "virtually" says it is so?

I think this is the part and or point I have been trying to get to from the beginning of this blog. Be very careful in taking others truths as your own. Use your own powers of discernment to intelligiently decide if it is a truth for you or not. Don't rely on others for your internal happiness. You will only end up dis-appointed when you do that. I am not just saying this to hear myself type, it is a message I need to be reminded of regularly.

If you haven't taken the time to really figure out what your truths are, take the time. It is ohhh so worth the work.

I had a conversation with a friend of mine, he is divorced with 2 very young children. Currently, he lives with his parents, partially to have help with the kids and partially for financial reasons. Lately, I have noticed a trend of complaining coming from him, as nothing is ever right, or fair and he is always getting screwed, etc. I finally asked him the other day, what was most important to him and what he wanted to achieve in this life and what he wanted to do - To which he responded, he didn't know, he hasn't ever thought about it.

So, I ask you, myself, everyone... Have you thought about where you are, what you want to accomplish and how you want to get there? What is most important to you in this life?

Time flies by so fast and I see the end of summer coming rapidly, and I look around and think to myself.. what did you accomplish? Did you get everything you wanted done? Have you grown? What have you learned? Some days I have answers and others I don't - It isn't about gas prices, or grocery prices or the economy. Are things tight? Yep. Is it fun? Nope. But, it shouldn't keep us from holding it together with faith in the fact that it will all work out, it always does. It is falling into victim mentality and complaining that makes our lives all that more painful and hard to go through. Just some thoughts to ponder. I hope everything is well in every aspect of your life. Love, Karen