Whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
(Max Ehrmann)

I love gathering the concise wisdom of others in bits and pieces that resonate with my soul. Yesterday I was shopping at a cute local boutique when I came across this quote from Max Ehrmann. It stuck with me in a way that only happens every so often.

Image Credit: dailyinvention

As you begin to understand the immense power and love you hold inside,
you will find an unending surge of joy, light and love
that will nourish and support you all the days of your life.
(Susan Jeffers)

Happy 2010!

Here’s to an abundant year full of sparkle and joy. After an 11 day break from reality, I am preparing to settle into old routines while creating new ones. Like many, I’ve thought of a word for 2010 and decided on a few resolutions. Over the course of this week I will share with you my thoughts on 2009 and my plans for the upcoming year.

Thank you so much for sharing your love and light with me. I am really looking forward to the wonderful things this year has in store for all of us.

photo credit: gifrancis

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world,
I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport.
General opinion’s starting to make out that
we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don’t see that.
It seems to me that love is everywhere.
Often it’s not particularly dignified or newsworthy,
but it’s always there – fathers and sons, mothers and daughters,
husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends.
When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know,
none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages
of hate or revenge – they were all messages of love.
If you look for it, I’ve got a sneaky feeling you’ll find
that love actually is all around.
(Love Actually)

photo credit: 1 | 2 | 3 via weheartit

We do not remember days, we remember moments.
(Cesare Pavese)

photo credit: paper tissue | muffet | jayxxbe

A Promise To Oneself

Promise yourself to be strong,
that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity
to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that
there is something within them.

To look at the sunny side of everything,
and to make your own optimism come true.

To think only of the best,
to work only for the best and to expect the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about success of others as you are your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on
to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times
and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself
that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger,
too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

(Christian D. Larson)

photo credit: evanosherow on Flickr

Pain is a relatively objective, physical phenomenon;
suffering is our psychological resistance to what happens.
Events may create physical pain,
but they do not in themselves create suffering.
Resistance creates suffering.
Stress happens when your mind resists what is…
The only problem in your life is
your mind’s resistance to life as it unfolds.

(Dan Millman in The Way of the Peaceful Warrior)

photo credit: mmmou812ic via flickr

Don’t undertake a project unless it is
manifestly important and nearly impossible.
(Edwin Land)

photo credit: Man on Wire

What you set your heart upon, surely shall be yours.
(Emerson)

A few days ago I was in a weird mood. Sitting in my cubicle at work, I wished for some sort of divine inspiration to sweep over me so I could have a great afternoon and power through the rest of my day.

When this happens, I try to work my way from left to right—cleaning and organizing my desk helps me get back into the groove. Having just moved cubicles, I still had a stack of photographs and cards scattered around my desk and behind my computer that needed to be hung on the walls.

I try to replace items often so I always have fresh inspiration surrounding me, but there is one card I always keep up.

The front is an illustration of a woman sitting on a yoga mat in prayer position with the quote, “Live passionately, Hold nothing back.” At some point, I taped a fortune cookie message that says, “Your present plans are going to succeed.” I don’t know exactly when I received this card but it is from my Aunt, one of my favorite people in the whole world.

The words inside remain as meaningful today as they were then:

Hello Beautiful! I wish you love, peace, contentment, adventure, nourishment, courage, trust, faith and so much more as you begin to travel out into the world. Remember to keep your perspective broad and to work with the complexities of life rather than struggle against them. Trust that you are being guided every step of the way even when leaping without a net. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and do attempt to visit foreign places & meet strangers on the street. Life is a big uncontrolled experiment. Have courage—and never give up!

I have always kept the card with the illustration towards me—today the card is now on my wall with her inscription facing forward to remind me that I am loved.

What inspiring words do you keep nearby? Read an old card from a friend or loved one and I am certain you will feel the warmth of their words all over again.

photo credit: curly girl design