A Woman's Worth

 I love Marianne Williamson! I learned so much about myself as a man by reading her writings on women. Sounds contradictory doesn't it? For all my men readers let me suggest A Woman's Worth We can learn a lot from this book about women, men, and being ourselves no matter what our gender is.

 Here are two of my favorite quotes;

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” 

-Marianne Williamson , A Return to Love

  

“Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”
-Marianne Williamson

a day of rest

"When you rest, you rust ."
-anonymous

Actually, you only rust when your rest becomes becomes permanent! We all need to rest. Rest our minds, rest our bodies, rest our energy, even rest our dreams and desires. Yet we are being told that we must keep going, doing, improving. Where will it end?

Many spiritual traditions encourage a day of rest. The concept of "going on holiday" from Europe and the idea of "stay-cations" are all a good start. Sports medicine is now finding out that the best gains from our workouts are made when we rest and let the body repair to a stronger state. Constant wear-down leads to wear-out. A day off can let the body do its repairs and maintenance.

The Tao Te Ching says, "Oversharpen a sword and it will soon become dull." This is not an excuse to sit on the couch for the rest of your life! Rest and activity must find a healthy balance.

With smart phones, computers, and all the technology of "social media," we can never get a break! Another line from the Tao Te Ching says, "Stillness is the master of unrest."

How about a day of rest? One day where you unplug from work, technology, and take a break? Take a walk in the woods, or sit outside and look at the clouds and sky.Unplug the phone. Daydream. Read a book.Talk to a real live person face to face. Be with yourself. Sounds scarry doesn't it? No, it sounds wonderful!