« Heading South | Main | Inauguration Journal: Monday »

January 18, 2009

Comments

Beautiful, beautiful

This is so beautifully put. Thank you. Every time I notice my own tendency to get agitated or impatient I know this is just what we're seeing in the world. There is a new study published this month in British Medical Journal that says that happiness is particularly contagious. Dr. Nicholas Christakes from Harvard medical School says, 'It's like there are emotional stampedes that ripple across this infinite fabric of humanity.' It's great to think our happiness, which is energy, can actually make waves. We're really not powerless; we can keep working on ourselves. Onwards!

I agree with the issue of "mocking George Bush". It is easy and lazy to be derogatory towards others and the stuff around Bush became rather unedifying for all concerned and often made me feel uncomfortable and a bit sad for him. Yes, I am sure that his childhood experience had an effect. The problem is, however, that here is someone at the epicentre of global power and it is important that he gets things right (pronouncing the word 'nuclear') because people's lives depend directly on what he says and does. I am glad this chapter is closing. I can't take anymore Bushisms - or articles/programmes on them.

Nice post, Beth. Sounds like a wonderful way to start, mind and eyes open.

beth - what a beautiful photograph that captures the calm. Your reflections are full of insight but how does one deal with one's own demons?

Rachel - thank you!

Cat B: so nice to have your comments here! I agree that happiness - or perhaps it's better to say positive energy, since I am skeptical about "happiness" since it's so often forced - is contagious. In fact, it even infects us, ourselves. I've noticed if I'm tense or anxious, if I simply smile and relax my shoulders and say to myself, "Beth, you know, maybe everything will actually be all right," I can laugh at myself a little and I really do feel the relaxation in my body and spirit. You're right - we just need to be gentle with ourselves, and keep working on these things, over an entire lifetime.

Anna - me too!!

Leslee - hi, thanks, yes, it set a wonderful tone for the visit here and has persisted into today.

Krish - hi, how nice to have a comment from you! I think the reality is that our demons love to lurk in the darkness and detest being brought out into the light, so that's what we must do - have the courage to open that door into our innermost fears, angers, prejudices, patterns of negative behavior, and shine enough light on them that we can begin to see them clearly. Then we can start to see how they move, what feeds them, and even where they came from and with great gentleness toward ourselves, begin to lessen their power over us, taking back control where once they were able to run free and control us with their games. I don't mean to make light of this at all - it is a painful process and takes decades, even a lifetime, but it is both possible and fascinating. Spiritual friendships, reading, meditation, journaling -- all these have helped me and continue to.

The comments to this entry are closed.

My Photo

Who was Cassandra?


  • In the Iliad, she is described as the loveliest of the daughters of Priam (King of Troy), and gifted with prophecy. The god Apollo loved her, but she spurned him. As a punishment, he decreed that no one would ever believe her. So when she told her fellow Trojans that the Greeks were hiding inside the wooden horse...well, you know what happened.

MY SMALL PRESS