Thursday, February 23, 2017


“If you are depressed you are living in the past.
If you are anxious you are living in the future.
If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

 Lao Tzu

I may have already posted this quote, but i wasn't able to find it. (I really need to organize the quotes better!) Anyways, there is so much truth to this. When i think of the times in my life that i was down and depressed, i was either longingly remembering the past, or lamenting decisions and actions of the past.  And the times I feel anxiety it is usually when i am fretting about something in the future or fears of future events, etc... little children are great examples of living in the present. 

Saturday, February 4, 2017

"There is a terrible ailment of pessimism in the land. It’s almost endemic. We’re constantly fed a steady and sour diet of character assassination, faultfinding, evil speaking of one another. …
I come … with a plea that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I’m suggesting that we accentuate the positive. I’m asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment virtue and effort.
I am not asking that all criticism be silent. Growth comes with correction. Strength comes with repentance. Wise is the man or woman who, committing mistakes pointed out by others, changes his or her course. I am not suggesting that our conversation be all honey. Clever expression that is sincere and honest is a skill to be sought and cultivated. What I am suggesting and asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our society and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live, that we speak of one another’s virtues more than we speak of one another’s faults, that optimism replace pessimism. Let our faith replace our fears.
We have every reason to be optimistic in this world. Tragedy is around, yes. Problems everywhere, yes. But … you can’t, you don’t, build out of pessimism or cynicism. You look with optimism, work with faith, and things happen.
Do not despair. Do not give up. Look for the sunlight through the clouds. Opportunities will eventually open to you. Do not let the prophets of gloom endanger your possibilities."
this is so so applicable today! love the optimism of this wise and prophetic prophet!