On needing approval

To seek approval is to have no resting place, no sanctuary.
Like all judgment, approval encourages a constant striving.
It makes us uncertain of who we are and of our true value.
Approval cannot be trusted.
It can be withdrawn at any time no matter what our track record has been.
It is as nourishing of real growth as cotton candy.
Yet many of us spend our lives pursuing it.

~ Rachel Naomi Remen

Photo is “Death by Cotton Candy” by Daniela Edburg

Neither Great nor Small

“There is no body of water beneath the canopy of heaven which is greater than ocean. All streams pour into it without cease, yet it does not overflow. It is constantly being drained off, yet it is never empty. Spring and autumn bring no change; floods and droughts are equally unknown. And thus it is immeasurably superior to mere rivers and brooks — though I would not venture to boast on this account, for I get my shape from the universe, my vital power from the Yin and Yang. In the universe I am but as a small stone or a small tree on a vast mountain. And conscious thus of my own insignificance, what is there of which I can boast?”

“Dimensions are limitless; time is endless. Conditions are not invariable; terms are not final. Thus, the wise man looks into space, and does not regard the small as too little, nor the great as too much; for he knows that there is no limit to dimension. He looks back into the past, and does not grieve over what is far off, nor rejoice over what is near; for he knows that time is without end. He investigates fullness and decay, and does not rejoice if he succeeds, nor lament if he fails; for he knows that conditions are not invariable. He who clearly apprehends the scheme of existence, does not rejoice over life, nor repine at death; for he knows that terms are not final.”

“Therefore, the truly great man, although he does not injure others, does not credit himself with charity and mercy. He seeks not gain, but does not despise his followers who do. He struggles not for wealth, but does not take credit for letting it alone. He asks help from no man, but takes no credit for his self-reliance, neither does he despise those who seek preferment through friends. He acts differently from the vulgar crowd, but takes no credit for his exceptionality; nor because others act with the majority does he despise them as hypocrites. The ranks and emoluments of the world are to him no cause for joy; its punishments and shame no cause for disgrace. He knows that positive and negative cannot be distinguished, that great and small cannot be defined.”

By Chuang Tzu (c. 369-286 BC)

The Most & The Greatest – The Test

The most destructive habit
Worry

The greatest Joy
Giving

The greatest loss
Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work
Helping others

The ugliest personality trait
Selfishness

The most endangered species
Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource
Our youth

The greatest “shot in the arm”
Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome
Fear

The most effective sleeping pill
Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease
Excuses

The most powerful force in life
Love

The most dangerous pariah
A gossiper

The world’s most incredible computer
The brain

The worst thing to be without
Hope

The deadliest weapon
The tongue

The two most power-filled words
“I Can”

The greatest asset
Faith

The most worthless emotion
Self-pity

The most beautiful attire
a smile

The most prized possession
Integrity

The most powerful channel of communication
Prayer

The most contagious spirit
Enthusiasm

~ unknown ~

Stephen King, Different Seasons

“The most important things are the hardest things to say. They are the things you get ashamed of, because words diminish them …words shrink things that seemed limitless when they were in your head to no more than the living size then they’re brought out. but it’s more than that, isn’t it? The most important things lie too close to wherever your secret heart is buried, like landmarks to a treasure your enemies would love to steal away.

And you may make revelations that cost you dearly only to have people look at you in a funny way, not understanding what you’ve said at all, or why you thought it was so important that you almost cried while you were saying it. That’s the worst, i think. When the secret stays locked within–not for want of a teller, but for want of an understanding ear. ”

~ Stephen King, Different Seasons ~