Explore the little paths

Video of Aurora Over the United States

noreply@blogger.com (DragonflyPaths) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:39:00 +0000

I found this stunning video of the earth shot from the International Space Station and I wanted to share it with everyone.

I hope you enjoy!!

Peace, Light, and Take Care!

Aurora Over Northern US and Canada - ISS "Real-Time" HD

Thoughts for Today

noreply@blogger.com (DragonflyPaths) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 20:15:00 +0000

He who is different from me does not impoverish me -- he enriches me. Our unity is constituted in something higher then ourselves -- in Man....For no man seeks to hear his own echo, or to find his refection in the glass.
~Flight to Arras, by Antoine de Saint-Exupery from A Guide for Grown-ups

It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.
~Mahatma Gandhi

Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
~Leo Tolstoy

Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.
~John Updike

When I despair, I remember that all through history the ways of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants, and murderers, and for a time they can seem invincible, but in the end they always fall. Think of it--always.
~Mahatma Gandhi

He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.
~Lao Tzu

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
~Mahatma Gandhi

Do not speak harshly to anybody; those who are spoken to will answer thee in the same way. Angry speech is painful; blows for blows will touch thee.
~#133 from the Dhammapada, the teachings of the Buddha

Have a wonderful day!

An Egyptian Love Poem

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 20:00:00 +0000

I found this poem a few weeks ago and I wanted to share it with everyone. Written around 1500 BC, it's an Egyptian poem about love. All human beings have the same wants and needs and (in my opinion at least) LOVE is a primary one. I am always delighted when I find another illustration that shows how similar the human spirit is regardless of time, place, belief, philosophy, culture, and so on. This poem is a perfect example because even though it is over 3500 years old, it could have easily been written today. I hope you enjoy!

An Egyptian Love Poem

It is seven days from yesterday since I saw my love,
And sickness has crept over me,
My limbs have become heavy,
I cannot feel my own body.
If the master-physicians come to me,
I gain no comfort from their remedies.
And the priest-magicians have no cures,
My sickness is not diagnosed.
My love is better by far for me than my remedies.
She is more important to me than all the books of medicine.

from Ancient Egyptian Medicine

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Thoughts for Today......LOVE

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 16:15:00 +0000

Everyone from Lao Tzu, to Plato, to Longfellow wrote about LOVE. The strength of the emotion, depth of it's passion and it's ability to transform are just a few examples of the variety of quotes that follow. The common thread sown throughout every culture and time is the knowledge that LOVE is one of the most fundamental things all living creatures need to thrive.
I hope you enjoy the different quotes as well as a couple of pictures of flowers from my "natural light series" (Please contact me with any questions about the pictures). If you have a favorite quote please share it by posting it in the comment section!

There is nothing holier in this life of ours than the first consciousness of love, the first fluttering of its silken wings.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment.
Gandhi

Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart and the senses.
Lao Tzu

Ask questions from you heart and you will be answered from the heart.
Omaha (Native American)

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.
Voltaire

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
Mother Teresa

The dawn is not distant, nor is the night starless; love is eternal.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Where there is love there is life.
Gandhi

Each bird loves to hear himself sing.
Arapaho (Native American)

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu

Love has features which pierce all hearts, he wears a bandage which conceals the faults of those beloved. He has wings, he comes quickly and flies away the same.

Voltaire

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Mother Teresa

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.
Michael Jackson

Love gives itself; it is not bought.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

We always return to our first loves.
Tribe Unknown

Man's nature is not essentially evil. Brute nature has been know to yield to the influence of love. You must never despair of human nature.
Gandhi

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.
Mother Teresa

Love is the joy of the good, the wonder of the wise, the amazement of the Gods.
Plato

Love keeps the cold out better than a cloak.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation.
Michael Jackson

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Father's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 05:01:00 +0000

Since many people are celebrating Father's Day, I chose to focus on how truly important the relationships with our parents, guardians, grandparents and mentors in our lives. I wanted to share something that highlights specifically the knowledge and wisdom fathers pass down to their children. After looking through my collection of works written by my favorite authors, I think I found a perfect essay to share and I hope you enjoy it.

THE BOY AND THE PILLOW
A wise father wanted to teach his young son a lesson. "Here is a pillow covered in silk brocade and stuffed with the rarest goose down in the land," he said. "Go to town and see what it will fetch."
First the boy went to the marketplace, where he saw a wealthy feather merchant. "What will you give me for this pillow?" he asked. The merchant narrowed his eyes. "I will give you fifty gold ducats, for I see that this is a rare treasure indeed."
The boy thanked him and went on. Next he saw a farmer's wife peddling vegetables by the side of the road. "What will you give me for this pillow?" he asked. She felt it and exclaimed, "How soft it is! I'll give you one piece of silver, for I long to lay my weary head on such a pillow."
The boy thanked her and walked on. Finally he saw a young peasant girl washing the steps of a church. "What will you give me for this pillow?" he asked. Looking at him with a strange smile, she replied, "I'll give you a penny, for I can see that your pillow is hard compared to these stones." Without hesitation, the boy laid the pillow at her feet.
When he got home, he said to his father, "I have gotten the best price for your pillow." And he held out the penny.
"What?" his father exclaimed. "That pillow was worth a hundred gold ducats at least."
"That's what a wealthy merchant saw," the boy said, "but being greedy, he offered me fifty. I got a better offer than that. A farmer's wife offered me one piece of silver."
"Are you mad?" his father said. "When is one piece of silver worth more than fifty gold ducats?"
"When it's offered out of love," the boy replied. "If she had given me more, she wouldn't have been able to feed her children. Yet I got a better offer than that. I saw a peasant girl washing the steps of a church who offered me this penny."
"You have lost your wits completely," his father said, shaking his head. "When is a penny worth more than one piece of silver?"
"When it's offered out of devotion," the boy replied. "For she was laboring for her Lord, and the steps of His house seemed softer than any pillow. Poorer than the poorest, she still had time for God. And that is why I offered her the pillow."
At this the wise father smiled and embraced his son, and with a tear in his eye he murmured, "You have learned well."

This essay written by Michael Jackson, is from the book titled, Dancing The Dream, published in June 1992. A collection of personal writings, essays and poems as well as drawings, illustrations and photographs done by Michael Jackson. Originally commissioned by Jacqueline Onassis (senior editor at Doubleday US at the time), the book was re-released in the UK in 2009 after his death.

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!
Happy Father's Day!

Thoughts for Today

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sat, 21 May 2011 18:59:00 +0000

"Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well."
Mahatma Gandhi

“The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent mixture of triumph and tragedy.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation.”
Robert Francis Kennedy

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“One person can make a difference and every person should try.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
Robert F. Kennedy

“Intolerance betrays want of faith in one's cause”
Mahatma Gandhi

“Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one's own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others.”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

“Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.”
Martin Luther King, Jr.

“Ultimately, America's answer to the intolerant man is diversity, the very diversity which our heritage of religious freedom has inspired.”
Robert Francis Kennedy

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Mahatma Gandhi

“Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”
John Fitzgerald Kennedy quote

“An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
Martin Luther King, Jr. quote

“There are those who look at things the way they are, and ask why... I dream of things that never were, and ask why not?”
Robert Francis Kennedy

I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend.

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Thoughts for today, by John Lennon

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:52:00 +0000

In honor of John Lennon's memory and message, I chose quotes by him for today's thoughts.

Enjoy!

“You are all geniuses, and you are all beautiful. You don't need anyone to tell you who you are. You are what you are. Get out there and get peace, think peace, live peace, and breathe peace, and you'll get it as soon as you like.”

“We've got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant. You can't just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it's going to get on by itself. You've got to keep watering it. You've got to really look after it and nurture it.”

“A dream you dream alone is only a dream. A dream you dream together is reality.”
“Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.”

“I believe in God, but not as one thing, not as an old man in the sky. I believe that what people call God is something in all of us. I believe that what Jesus and Mohammed and Buddha and all the rest said was right. It's just that the translations have gone wrong.”

“Jesus was all right, but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It's them twisting it that ruins it for me.”

“The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn't the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.”

“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”

“It's fear of the unknown. The unknown is what it is. And to be frightened of it is what sends everybody scurrying around chasing dreams, illusions, wars, peace, love, hate, all that--it's all illusion. Unknown is what it is. Accept that it's unknown and it's plain sailing. Everything is unknown--then you're ahead of the game. That's what it is. Right?”

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one."

Thank you ThinkExist.com for creating such a great site with quotes on so many different subjects and authors. You can find more quotes by Lennon and many others there.

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Thoughts for today: The teachings of Buddha

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 03:20:00 +0000

I hope everyone had a wonderful and peaceful Thanksgiving, spending time with family and friends. The thoughts for today are from the teachings of Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama. Enjoy........

"As a bee gathering nectar
does not harm or disturb
the colour and fragrance of the flower;
so do the wise move through the world."
~Dhammapada: Flowers, verse 49

"Not others’ opposition
nor what they did or failed to do,
but in oneself should be sought
things done, things left undone."
~Dhammapada: Flowers, verse 50

"Just as a gorgeous blossom
brilliant but unscented,
so fruitless the well-spoken words
of one who does not act."
~Dhammapada: Flowers, verse 52

The Dhammapada is, "an anthology of 423 verses, has long been recognised as one of the masterpieces of early Buddhist literature. From ancient times to the present, the Dhammapada has been regarded as the most succinct expression of the Buddha's teaching found in the Theravada Pali Canon of scriptures known as the Khuddaka Nikaya ("Minor Collection") of the Sutta Pitaka." (Click on the link to read the entire anthology)

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Nature's music (video)

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 04:13:00 +0000

When I was little my father had a record of humpback whales sounds and I used to listen to it all the time. The "songs" of the whales was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever heard. Through this video, Andrew Stevenson doesn't simply allow us to hear their music, he gives us a chance to observe and "interact with" these majestic creatures in a way that most of us will never have the opportunity to experience.

"Underwater footage of a humpback whale fifteen miles off Bermuda. I had spent 300 hours over ten weeks trying to film the migrating humpbacks underwater. It was the end of April and I didn't have a minute of footage. And then I was in the water filming dolphins when this whale found me. The encounter was almost two hours long often within inches of the whale. It was also the first chance I had had to use my underwater housing and video camera. I had an overwhelming feeling that I was looking into the eyes of a very intelligent creature. It took me a week to sleep after the experience and a month to talk about the experience without becoming emotional. It is tragic that the Japanese whaling fleet is setting off this year to kill 50 endangered humpback whales, 50 fin whales and 935 minke whales in Antarctica in a whale sanctuary."

More of his footage is in an amazing and beautiful documentary called, Where The Whales Sing. It was captured by Andrew Stevenson, who started Humpback Whale Research Project, Bermuda in 2007 and, "The goal of the project is to broaden our knowledge of our oceans and these magnificent animals". If you have time visit the project's websites because there are more videos and incredible photographs there.

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Irish Sayings

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 12:51:00 +0000

Here are some of my favorite Irish Sayings and a few photographs, to get your weekend off to a wonderful start!

May the blessing of God's soft rain be on you,

Falling gently on your head, refreshing your soul
With the sweetness of little flowers newly blooming.
May the strength of the winds of Heaven bless you,
Carrying the rain to wash your spirit clean
Sparkling after in the sunlight.
May the blessing of God's earth be on you,
And as you walk the roads,
May you always have a kind word
for those you meet.

May there always be work for your hands to do

May your purse always hold a coin or two;

May the sun always shine on your windowpane;

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;

May the hand of a friend always be near you;

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

May the blessing of light be upon you,
Light on the outside,
Light on the inside.

With God's sunlight shining on you,
May your heart glow with warmth,
Like a turf fire
that welcomes friends and strangers alike.

May the light of the Lord shine from your eyes,
Like a candle in the window,
Welcoming the weary traveller.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Peace, Light and Take Care

What?? A Rally AND a March scheduled on 10.30.2010 in Washington DC? (video)?

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:19:00 +0000

Life in my little corner of the world is just insane right now, as I'm sure it is for everyone. Between kids, school, money, work, heck even allergies, flues and viruses are kicking everybody's butt right now. Almost everyone in the country as well as the world are dealing with these issues. Yet the commentary on TV and the internet represents only the small percentage of the same extreme views and opinions. One controversy after another, each one more negative and extreme then the last. All this is doing is continuing to polarize the country.

One of the bright spots (for me at least) has been The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, they help keep 'the crazy' in perspective. I've even set my DVR to record them so I can watch them as soon as I get up in the morning just in case I fall asleep. A few weeks ago both Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced that they were going to have a 'big announcement' sometime soon. Since then they have been going back and forth 'fighting' over who will have 'the biggest announcement' and giving clues.

Tonight, The Daily Show FINALLY announced what the big announcement is.....and here it is.......They are going to have a rally at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC for RESTORING SANITY on 10/30/2010! Stewart said it's a "1 Million Moderate March 'A Call For Rationality'" and the message to the people is: “Take It Down a Notch, For America.”

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Rally to Restore Sanity

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Now of course not to be out done, The Colbert Report announced their big announcement tonight as well.......and here it is......They will be having a March to Keep Fear Alive on 10/30/2010! Colbert said, "America, the Greatest Country God ever gave Man, was built on three bedrock principles: Freedom. Liberty. And Fear -- that someone might take our Freedom and Liberty."

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

March to Keep Fear Alive

www.colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

2010 Election

Fox News

They haven't released the details yet, but I think it's safe to say that this will not be an extreme, negative or polarizing event. Jon Stewart said would be “two or three hours one Saturday for some nice people to get together for some fun.” There are already thousands RSVPs on their facebook pages and it's been less then 12 hours since they made the announcement. I hope everyone will think about going, I'm lucky because I only live a few hours from DC so I'm definitely planning on being there. If anyone is thinking about going let me know, may be we can meet up and all go together!

One reason I wanted to share this with everyone because I think we all really could use a break from the crazy. Whether you go or not, I hope everyone takes some time to get away (at least mentally) from the issues and spend time with family, friends and neighbors. Another point I think is important is it's about time someone who doesn't represent the same 20%, stepped up to create a forum where the other 80% can discuss our views and opinions reasonably and we meed to demand much more of this.

Peace, Light and Take Care!

The subject of much debate, questions and misunderstandings/Updated

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:19:00 +0000

Updated 1:30pm.: I added links for further information and edited it a bit, including a few pieces of relevant information I felt was missing. Thanks

The following is a response to an article I read on American Thinker titled,"Dr. King and the Tea Partiers" by Sally Zelikovsky. I don't know yet if it will be approved and posted but regardless, I wanted to share it with everyone here. All the excerpts quoting her original article can be found here. All quotes from "I Have a Dream" a speech by Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. were from American Rhetoric. So here goes:

Dear Sally,

I first wanted to say that as a "person on the left" how much I sincerely appreciated reading your article. The vast majority of Americans, regardless of race, have felt that their voice wasn't heard or are being treated unjustly at least once (usually more) in their lifetime. You used his letter to show the points which speak to the beliefs you hold dear to your heart and this also clearly defines the reasons why so many feel such a connection to Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., regardless of what our personal story is. I think one of the truly incredible things to come out of this, is we all are going to gain a deeper understanding of how much Dr. King (and many others throughout history and the world) have done for all humanity.

The biggest question your article (as well as many others I've seen) seemed to be why "this man with whom we share so much, has exclusively become the darling of the left." and I wanted to try to explain it. While I can only share my personal thoughts and reasons, I think they're a fair representative of many on the left. I think one of the biggest misunderstandings about this is people think it's a left/right issue, but it's not. It's not Dr. King's political affiliation being left or right. He was a Minister, a leader in the "Christian Left" and "American Liberalism" and many believe he was a Republican. (My understanding was that he remained bipartisan purposefully, so nothing could effect the causes he supported.)

The issue is not that Republicans or "The Right" or "The Tea Party" want to embrace Dr. King's belief in the "Constitutional Rights" of EVERY citizen. In fact one of the examples you used, "We've endured all manner of broken promises from our politicians -- including their failure to work of, for and by the people. And they have ignored a long list of grievances -- lower taxes, fewer regulations, less spending, freedom to live our lives with minimal governmental intrusion, and so on." I think he would have been there with you supporting those rights 100% if he were still alive today. He also would have been proud of how everyone has followed his example of non-violence and peaceful gathering that he learn from the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. That is why we honor him every January with a national holiday.

As a side note, there is one important thing you misunderstood regarding Dr. King's Letter From Birmingham City Jail. You said, "While incarcerated, King wrote the letter as a response to a statement from members of the clergy who agreed with him but feared his actions might lead to violence, be perceived as extreme and hamper real progress for blacks in the South." The letter was actually written in response to "White Clergymen" telling Dr. King and all those fighting for Civil Rights, the "Right to Vote", the end of segregation and more, that they should to go to court and have the courts decide. They wrote, "We recognize the natural impatience of people who feel that their hopes are slow in being realized. But we are convinced that these demonstrations are unwise and untimely."

The concern is that the significance of the march on 8/28/1963 called "The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom", was for "Civil Rights" not "Constitutional Rights". A march organized by several Civil Rights organizations to demand that the government give them those Rights already guaranteed to them in the "Emancipation Proclamation". They wanted the government to pass a Civil Rights Act, ending racial segregation, protecting them from racial discrimination and police brutality. They also focused on the civil rights of the poor regardless of race such as demanding they raise the minimum wage for all workers.

From Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech:

There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their self-hood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating: "For Whites Only." We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like a mighty stream."

Which is why when Dr. King gave the now famous speech he said:

And so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

Because the march on 8/28/1963 wasn't a march for "Constitutional Rights". It was people (of all races) marching together for the "Rights" of Black People and other minorities still waiting to be given what was guaranteed to "All Men" in the Constitution. Dr. King, Charlton Heston, Sidney Poitier, Bob Dylan, Harry Belafonte, Joan Baez, Jackie Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jessie Jackson and 250,000 others stood together against racism. Demanding the government step in and ensure that everyone's Civil Rights were protected.

That's were I think the misunderstanding comes from. Some are looking at it as a right verses left perspective, but it's not. Some are looking at it from a "Constitutional Rights" perspective, but it's not. It's not about taxes or fewer regulations or health-care. It's not about the majority of us at all.

You so beautifully said, "America's destiny is to be that shining city on a hill, a place where the streets are paved with gold and endless possibilities abound, a society that stands as a light unto the world even during its darkest moments. Dr. King understood and embraced this. Even as he sat in jail, he still recognized that America was indeed the last best hope on Earth precisely because of the immutable principles on which she was founded."

It's all about those who understood and embraced this. Even as they sat in jail. Even as they were fighting and dying for the ability to have those "certain unalienable rights" which are "endowed by their Creator".

I can't help but think if many of us who will wonder that if we can all feel so much for a person who's political ideals are basically a combination of what many consider the "extreme" ideals on both sides, will think about what we might be able to do together. Thank you so much for letting me to share my thoughts and opinions on such an important subject to each of us.

Peace, Light and Take Care!

PS: I apologize for writing the wrong year in the response to the article, I think it's because I kept thinking of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Wise words from His Holiness The Dalai Lama

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:22:00 +0000

I apologize to everyone because there haven't been very many posts over the last month. I have some new things I'm working on that I think will provide some new, different, and creative ways (including Angels!) to help us focus even more on living life positively. My goal is to begin introducing them in the next week or so. I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for sticking with me and keeping the blog in your readers.

In this post I wanted to share a few of my favorite 'tweets' from His Holiness The Dalai Lama along with a couple photographs of purple wildflowers. I don't know how many already have twitter accounts, but for those who don't I think it's worth getting one just to receive The Dalai Lama's tweets. To say they are inspiring, motivational, powerful, positive and meaningful is an understatement.


Nature's Tiniest Beauties

The greater the level of calmness of our mind, the greater our peace of mind, and the greater our ability to enjoy a happy and joyful life.

Even a small act of compassion grants meaning and purpose to our lives.

Every world religion, whatever its philosophical view, is founded on the precept that we must reduce our selfishness and serve others.With an attitude of respect and concern for other beings, we can create an atmosphere of happiness, real harmony and real brotherhood.

Fundamentally, all spiritual traditions help us tame our mental state, overcome our negativities and perfect our inner potential.

The purpose of religion is not to build beautiful temples but to cultivate positive human qualities such as tolerance, generosity and love.

I sometimes say that religion is something we can perhaps do without. What we cannot do without are the basic spiritual qualities.

Science and the law can both help us forecast the consequences of our actions, but neither can tell us how we ought to act in a moral sense.

The practice of non-violence suits us all, it only calls for determination. If it succeeds, it can open the way to a far more peaceful world.

Determination, courage, self-confidence are keys to success. In all circumstances, we should remain humble, modest and without pride.

One aspect of compassion is respect for others’ rights and views - it is the basis of reconciliation.

Purple Flowers with a Friend

The practice of non-violence is still rather experimental on our planet, but its pursuit, based on love and understanding, is sacred.

To be aware of a single shortcoming within oneself is more useful than to be aware of a thousand in someone else.

Ultimately, the reason why love and compassion bring us the greatest happiness is simply that our nature cherishes them above all else.

-The Dalai Lama

I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did putting it together! Have a great day!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Time Magazine's interview, "10 questions with The Dalai Lama" (video)

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:50:00 +0000

I can't believe it's been over two weeks since I've posted on the blog, it seems as though time has sped up even more lately (at least in my mind :-))! I am working on a few entries which I hope to have up by the end of the day and I thank you for your patience.

Now back the focus of the post, which is the video of Time Magazine's interview with The Dalai Lama. Some of you know I quote him often in my posts, (including in some of my 'thoughts for today' posts) because The Dalai Lama is on the top of my list of incredible people who inspire change for so many reasons. Aside from the fact that he is the spiritual leader of Buddhism and a humanitarian, one of the things that I love about The Dalai Lama is the wonderful positive energy he exudes. So whenever I find new audio or video of him I always try to share it with others.

The following video is an interview with The Dalai Lama while he was in New York with Time Magazine is from May 2010 and as usual, it's incredible. They asked him questions from different people from all over the world. He is so warm and has such a wonderful sense of humor as you can see from the answer to one of the questions he was asked:

Question: Do you ever feel angry or outraged? —Kantesh Guttal, PUNE, INDIA

His Holiness: Oh, yes, of course. I'm a human being. Generally speaking, if a human being never shows anger, then I think something's wrong. He's not right in the brain. [Laughs.]

*This excerpt is from the full transcript of the interview from His Holiness' website*

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did and would love to hear anyone's comments about this or any of the posts on the blog!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Quotes, quotes.....everywhere quotes

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:56:00 +0000

Quotes, quotes.....everywhere quotes

Over the last few days I've been seeing incredible quotes everywhere and if I've learned nothing else I know that everything happens for a reason. With that in mind, I thought I would pass some of them on to you. Most of them are by people I quote regularly and are fairly common quotes, but a few of them I had never heard before but are awesome in my opinion. I hope you enjoy........

A man sooner or later discovers that he is the master-gardener of his soul, the director of his life.
James Allen

The meaning of life is contained in every single expression of life. It is present in the infinity of forms and phenomena that exist in all of creation.
Michael Jackson

The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.
Michael Jackson

If you enter this world knowing you are loved and you leave this world knowing the same, then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.
Michael Jackson

Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul, and know love as the ultimate truth at the heart of all creation.
Michael Jackson

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Dalai Lama

Spend some time alone every day.
Dalai Lama

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.
Dalai Lama

We must become the change we want to see.
Gandhi

What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea.
Gandhi

Nobody can hurt me without my permission.
Gandhi

God has no religion
Gandhi

Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow.
Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

Follow your passion, and success will follow you. Terri Guillemets

Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. Attributed to Howard Thurman

I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it.... People think pleasing God is all God care about. But any fool living in the world can see it always trying to please us back. Alice Walker, The Color Purple

Every one should keep a mental wastepaper basket and the older he grows the more things he will consign to it - torn up to irrecoverable tatters.
Samuel Butler

I would love hear what your favorite quote is or what wise words you live by......Leave a comment and share your quotes with us.......

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Today's thoughts, pictures and meditation guide: Again, focus more on the present

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 06:12:00 +0000

Today's thoughts and meditation guide are again helping us to focus more on the present and less on what happened in the past and what 'we think or worry' may happen in the future. The more we allow ourselves to live in the present, the more we will enjoy life and the happier we will naturally be. Today's thoughts are courteous of Thing's To Be Happy About, a site that offers many wonderful tools and ideas to help us all find things to be happy about!

Repeat phrases like: May I be balanced and at peace. May I be undisturbed by the comings and goings of all the events of the world.
Meditate and visualize yourself on a tropical beach. On each inhale, feel the warmth of the sun and the touch of the breeze. Let your breathing coincide with the rhythm of the waves. Feel tension release from your body during each exhale.
Even non-sounds make great reminders. Turning a light on or off, traffic lights, a smile, the sight of a flower, your cup of coffee ready to drink - each of these can be used as a mindfulness bell to stop, breathe consciously, let go, then open your eyes to the present moment.

For mindfulness, you need non-judging, patience, a beginner's mind, trust, non-striving, acceptance, and letting go.
Picture yourself sitting on the bank of a gentle river and, from time to time, see a log come floating down the river. Follow the log, observing it floating past and out of sight.
Do good, even when you are alone.

Walk in beauty, wherever you are.
So long as your spirit is right, any and every room can be a place of practice. The way is wherever people discipline themselves through training.
Healing begins with a breath.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Happy Father's Day: thoughts, quotes and pictures celebrating Dads

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 23:20:00 +0000

Today's thoughts, quotes and pictures are all about Dads and Fathers in honor of Father's Day. Teacher, nurturer, hero, comedian, authority figure, friend and coach are just a few of the roles a Father plays in their child's life. I think these quotes and pictures are a nice representation of some of things that Dads do. I hope you enjoy them and don't forget to thank your Dad for everything he does for you.

You will find that if you really try to be a father, your child will meet you halfway. ~Robert Brault,

He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it. ~Clarence Budington Kelland

When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years. ~Mark Twain, "Old Times on the Mississippi" Atlantic Monthly, 1874

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. ~Author Unknown

My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew

The father who would taste the essence of his fatherhood must turn back from the plane of his experience, take with him the fruits of his journey and begin again beside his child, marching step by step over the same old road. ~Angelo Patri

Why are men reluctant to become fathers? They aren't through being children. ~Cindy Garner

Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a dad. ~Author Unknown

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Videos of James Taylor and Carole King's singing live on The Today Show

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:04:00 +0000

There may be a few readers who aren't familiar with the fact that there are a few people that I am a little tiny bit obsessed with. James Taylor is DEFINITELY one of them. Now when I say obsessed I mean hands down, over the top, would do anything, obsessed with him and is music for as long as I can remember!

So when James Taylor appears on The Today Show with Carole King (who I love too!), and personally sends me the videos from their appearance, I wanted to share them with all of you. Oh and just so we're clear......by personally, I mean me and every other fan who follows him on facebook! :-)
Anyway, here are the videos. I know you will love them almost as much as I did!

James Taylor and Carole King singing, "Up On The Roof"..........One word, PERFECTION!!!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Here's James Taylor and Carole King singing, "Smiling Face" and being interviewed.....One word, AWESOME!!!!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

James Taylor and Carole King singing, "Where You Lead".....One word, LOVE! (I LOVE this song!)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

And last but certainly not least a web-only video where they answer a few questions from fans......One word, "INCREDIBLE!"

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

How awesome were they? I told you love them! Let me know what you think!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Thoughts for today: Allow yourself to more fully experience and enjoy the present

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:03:00 +0000

Allow yourself to more fully experience and enjoy the present.

The quotes and wise words I chose for today's guide are all based on the theme of allowing ourselves to more fully experience and enjoy the present. I know this is a longer post then usual, but as you will see each one helps build upon the next so I wanted to include them all. I genuinely believe that by allowing ourselves to 'live in the moment' we will naturally 'be happier' and only way we can achieve true balance in our lives. There is a saying, "Yesterday is gone and tomorrow never comes, but today is the gift and that is why it's call 'the present'".

You can go on changing the outer for lives and you will never be satisfied; something or other will remain to be changed. Unless the inner changes, the outer can never be perfect.

Intelligence is a natural phenomenon -- just as breathing is, just as seeing is. Intelligence is the inner seeing; it is intuitive. It has nothing to do with intellect. Never confuse intellect with intelligence, they are polar opposites. Intellect is of the head; it is taught by others, it is imposed on you. You have to cultivate it. It is borrowed, it is something foreign, it is not inborn. But intelligence is inborn. It is your very being, your very nature.

The mind exists in time, in fact the mind is time; it exists in the past and the future. And remember, time consists of only two tenses, the past and the future. The present is not part of time, the present is part of eternity.

If the mind wants to comprehend reality, it will have to come out of the past and the future. But coming out of the past and the future, it is no longer the mind at all. Hence the insistence of all the great masters of the world that the door to reality is no-mind.

Any judgment is past oriented, and existence is always herenow, life is always herenow. All judgments are coming from your past experiences, your education, your religion, your parents -- which may be dead, but their judgments are being carried by your mind and they will be given as a heritage to your children. Generation after generation, every disease is being transferred as a heritage. Only a non-judgmental mind has intelligence, because it is spontaneously responding to reality.

Remain in wonder if you want the mysteries to open up for you. Mysteries never open up for those who go on questioning. Questioners sooner or later end up in a library. Questioners sooner or later end up with scriptures, because scriptures are full of answers. And answers are dangerous, they kill your wonder.

Do you think the people who were trying to reach to the Everest were not full of doubts? For a hundred years, how many people tried and how many people have lost their lives? Do you know how many people never came back? Not even their dead bodies came back; they got lost, lost forever. But, still, a few courageous people went on and on..... ...But people went on coming from all over the world, risking, knowing that they may not come back ever, they may be lost. But it is worth it -- because in the very risk something is born inside you: the center. It is born only in the risk. That's the beauty of risk, the gift of risk.

Know the whole world is nothing when it is compared to knowing your own inner mystery of life.

-- Osho

Don't worry if you don't have time to read them all now, just bookmark the page and you can read it later.
I would love to hear what you think about this or any posts so don't be shy let me know what you think!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Something to really think about.....

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:28:00 +0000

As I started putting together today's meditation guide (and it will be posted soon), I read this quote by Osho again and I had to share it separately. Have you ever read or seen something that you just knew was a message from your Angels, Guides, (or what ever name you've given to those who assist and guide you)? The first time I read this, I was astounded by how strongly it effected me. The words became a scene in which I found myself in and it spoke directly to my soul.

If the whole existence is one, and if the existence goes on taking care of trees, of animals, of mountains, of oceans -from the smallest blade of grass to the biggest star -- then it will take care of you too. Why be possessive? The possessiveness shows simply one thing - that you cannot trust existence. You have to arrange separate security for yourself, safety for yourself; you cannot trust existence. Non-possessiveness is basically trust in existence. There is no need to possess, because the whole is already ours.

It never ceases to amaze me the ways my Angels and Guides find to guide me to new paths and new ways of thinking, looking and being inspired to live a more positive life! Do you have an inspiring Angel or Guide story that you would like to share? I'd love to hear from you!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

What's Ralph Macchio so angry about? (video)

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 12:58:00 +0000

Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio

This has got to be one of the BEST parody's I have ever seen! I love Ralph Macchio when I was a teenager and I love him even more now. "Wax On, F*ck Off" is so unbelievably well done and I can't believe it. The ideas that the people at Funnyordie.com come up with never ceases to amaze me. Every time I think they can't do something any funnier another video comes out and I'm laughing even harder.

I know everyone is going to love this video, but those who are in my generation are going to die (yes the pun was intended) laughing! I won't give anything away but I can promise you Funny Or Die hit every single joke, saying, famous line, etc right on the mark! Ralph Macchio is a perfect example of someone who obviously has a balanced, positive and fulfilled life and is happy and I for one congratulate him!

Wax On, F*ck Off with Ralph Macchio from Ralph Macchio

I hope everyone LOVES this as much as I did and pass it along to others!

And to Ralph Macchio: I loved you in The Karate Kid, The Outsiders and Entourage (to name just a few) and if you ever decide to make this a full-feature film, I'll be first in line to see it!!!!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Meditation guide for today, simply inspiring words

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 11:26:00 +0000

As I was searching for affirmations, quotes and wise words to include in today's meditation guide I came across these simply inspiring words by Osho and I knew immediately these words were the only words I wanted to have in today's guide.

The witnessing soul is like the sky. The birds fly in the sky but they don't leave any footprints. That's what Buddha says, that the man who is awakened lives in such a way that he leaves no footprints. He is without wounds and without scars; he never looks back -- there is no point. He has lived that moment so totally that what is the need to look back again and again? He never looks ahead, he never looks back, he lives in the moment. -Osho

As you move through your day pause once in a while and allow yourself to 'be in the moment' and experience fully what 'is'. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

If every person adopts just one of these principles.....Quotes by the Dalai Lama

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 22:25:00 +0000

If every person in the world adopted just ONE of these principles imagine what the world would be like....

Quotes by The Dalai Lama:

My message is the practice of compassion, love and kindness. Great compassion is the root of all forms of worship.

Meeting so many people from all over the world and from every walk of life constantly reminds me of our basic sameness as human beings.

If we adopt a conscious discipline we can weaken a negative emotion, such as anger, by encouraging its antidote, love and compassion.

For mental peace, one of the most important factors is compassion and affection, a sense of caring.

When our intentions toward others are good, we find that any feelings of shyness or insecurity we may have are greatly reduced.

When we act under the influence of negative thoughts and emotions, we become oblivious to the impact our actions have on others.

People who are compassionate, loving, patient, tolerant and forgiving recognize their impact on others and order their conduct accordingly.

If you have love and compassion towards all living beings, particularly toward your enemy, that is true love and compassion.

Something to think about...........

Peace, Light and Take Care!

Quotes from His Holiness The Dalai Lama

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:46:00 +0000

"A Simple Buddhist Monk", this is how His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama not only refers to himself as but completely believes he is. In a sense he is, and that is why his words are so powerful to me personally. If each of us follow just one of these quotes from this "Simple Buddhist Monk" we would instantly create the most powerful positive change the world has ever witnessed!

Freedom is the very source of creativity for both individuals and society.

In the biggest sense, environmental education means learning to maintain a balanced way of life.

If we are truly concerned about the environment, we must think not only for this generation, but for future generations as well.

Science and the law can both help us forecast the consequences of our actions, but neither can tell us how we ought to act in a moral sense.

From my own experience I can tell you that when I practice altruism and care for others, it immediately makes me calmer and more secure.

The key to transforming our hearts and minds is to have an understanding of how our thoughts and emotions work.

The most important thing is transforming our minds, for a new way of thinking, a new outlook: we should strive to develop a new inner world.

My aim has been to appeal for an approach to ethics based on universal rather than religious principles.

We need to develop a sense of equanimity towards all living beings, expressed through the ability to relate to all others equally.

Finding common ground among faiths can help us bridge needless divides at a time when unified action is more crucial than ever.

Pass this along to everyone and let's see if we can create positive change in the world! I want to know what quote, wise words or belief inspires you and helps you to create positive change in your life, so please leave a comment so they can be shared with everyone!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

"Walking" by Henry David Thoreau audio book Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Dragonfly Paths) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 23:41:00 +0000

"Walking" by Henry David Thoreau audio book Part 2

The audio book is in two parts with each one being about 90 minutes or so. I am posting them both at the same time just in two different posts.

Click here for part one of "Walking". They both can be listened to and downloaded from my site for one month, so tell your friends!

For those who subscribing through a reader or if the mp3 player isn't visible, click here to access the mp3 player.

I sincerely hope you find this as fascinating as I did and I would love to hear what you think about it.

Thank you to LibriVox and all the wonderful volunteers who made this audio book (and many others) possible!

Peace, Light and Take Care!

(due to limited space on the mp3 server, I can only keep each audio active/available on my blog for a month so this will be available until July 5,2010. But they are always available on the site listed above. Thank you so much for your understanding and if you have any questions or problems please leave me a comment or email me and I will do my best to help in anyway I can!)