It's hard to believe it was 10 years ago today that my mom passed away. Life goes on, yet even though she's gone, she's not away. She's always with me. It's such a strange feeling - and one I wish I could trade in for her physical presence. But that's not how life works. I took the time today to read her memoir. She wrote it when she was 50 years old and made copies and wrapped them each up and gave them to me, my dad, sister and brother at Black Angus in Fremont during her birthday celebration with us years ago. I thought I'd share this fun passage from my mom's memoir about her and my …
Insights
Be Happy and Others Will Be Too
This is why it's not selfish to contemplate on what makes you happy and to take action in alignment with that. I need to add something very important: As you contemplate... as you make your decisions on what action you take... you'll know if it's a selfish act or one that, as a result of your contemplation, is being done with a wide perspective of its possible effects on you and everyone in your life. This means it's not always easy to be happy because it's a challenge going deep inside yourself, getting to know yourself with love and compassion, then making your choices …
Detachment Doesn’t Mean Not Caring
This is a really great reminder. Holding other people capable of leading their own lives... and not trying to "save" them or "punish" them... which has more to do with us than them. Why is it so hard to let people go? (Because what if they never come back? Sometimes we'd rather try and keep someone close even if doing so hurts us... and if it's hurting us, it's hurting them too.) Why is it so hard not to take things personally? (Because it's hard to remember that other people can experience similar things in an entirely different way... it's hardly ever personal. And if it is, it becomes …