Observing

Observing the observer
Strange thought indeed
Listening without judging
It’s not a cognitive fantasy

The little voice inside you
That’s full of fear and pain
The dialogue goes on and on
Creating so much shame

The ego is the villain
A cancerous growth to self-esteem
Trying to overcome it
The treatment is sometimes worse than the disease

The ego likes to parade around
In a comparison mode
Presenting a false impression
To other egotistical bottomless holes

Observing the observer
Awareness truly begins
Understanding “the self” without judgment
Liberation, autonomy in the end

Acceptance of our condition
Acknowledgement and letting go
Everything in life has been necessary
To facilitate our growth

An awakening has happened
A metamorphosis unfolds
The death of the ego
The resurrection of a holy soul

“What a caterpillar calls the end of the world we call a butterfly.”
― Eckhart Tolle

Mule Parable

The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule making that familiar "hee-haw" sound and rushed over to see if he was ok . After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving.

Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back...a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back ... HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!

This he did, blow after blow. "Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up ... shake it off and step up!" He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!

What seemed like it would bury him, actually helped him ... all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. THAT'S LIFE!

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity ... THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!

 

 

 

Perfection

It’s all confusing

It makes me want to cry

The uncertain feelings

The feelings from inside

 

I create huge expectations

I strive for the best

I demand perfection

I live for the test

 

But when the lights are off

And nobodies home

I question myself

I feel all alone

 

I know I am loved

By my parents it’s true

I know that they care

I know they do

 

This is my battle

It comes from inside

My dad says allow it

It will dissipate with time

I’m going to fight through it

The talent is there

I just have to focus

Think right

Think care

 

I know I’m special

I’m reminded every day

By what’s said around me

And what’s clearly displayed

 

As I move forward

And as I dream

I have to relax

I have to breathe

 

Battles are battles

I’m ready for the fight

Because I am loved….

And because dad was right

 

The only thing to fear is not doing your best

I believe I am ready

It will meet all the test

 

Once I let go

I can become who I am

I know I’m special

I know I am

 

I was born with a purpose

I was born with great pride

I was born to be a champion

I’ve always felt that inside

 

Maybe that’s what happens

When you’re born to win

Maybe that’s what creates

The confusion from within

 

Now that I know

What I have to do

It makes perfect sense

Just relax

And be you

Life

So here we are…

Everything is at our fingertips

We’re safe and comfortable

Full of food and possessions

Loaded with expectations and dreams

Yet something is very troubling, unpredictable, and incomplete so it seems

However safe we are, we’re frozen with fear

For a creature with such potential

We seem to struggle from year to year

Our cravings are insatiable

Expectation are riddled with fraught

Our dreams are nothing more

Than fleeting moments of thought

One moment we are happy

The next in deep despair

It’s hard to see the conundrum

Between surviving and living well

Though everything is at our finger tips

We never seem to touch

The truly important things in life

Those that really mean so much

Virtue, service, and kindness

Are the greatest in the end

And the irony in this life

Is that it all comes from within