@th3j35t3r The diamonds are safe...

@AskTheDevil @Lizzz @LnzyHou @wolfwoman @poemblaze

The thing is, I don't know why those people are driving that way. I don't know what they've been through. I don't know their pain, or their challenges.

As @Vozy says maybe they're rushing to the hospital because their child is in the er. We just don't know.

That doesn't give them license to be cruel, or unsafe, but it does give me an opportunity to practice compassion.

We simply don't know what's going on inside a person.

@AskTheDevil @Lizzz @LnzyHou @wolfwoman @poemblaze

When I realized that and the source of my anxiety, I gained some power over my reactions.

Over time I've gotten into the habit that when I get cut off, or flipped off, or buzzed past, I will say. "Be safe my friend." or "I hope you find a reason for happiness today"

I'm still responding to the source, but at a different emotional angle and its making a difference for me. I am transforming my suffering.

@AskTheDevil @Lizzz @LnzyHou @wolfwoman @poemblaze Denial is like leaving a splinter in your hide. It will fester and rot, causing more damage

In my last few months visiting the east coast, I've had to do a lot of driving, and the drivers there can be frightening for me

I've been using those moments of being cut off, or buzzed past at 100mph as opportunities to practice re framing

I realized, sitting deeply with it, that all those reactions I was having was out a desire for us to be safe.

@wolfwoman @LnzyHou @ceorl @AskTheDevil @poemblaze

You've got some rad tattoos!

@Lizzz @LnzyHou @wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze It's fascinating to me seeing everyone's different perspectives on hatred, and challenging emotions.

@AskTheDevil are you hiding in the details? :P

@LnzyHou @ceorl @wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze What do you think inspires you to judge?

@LnzyHou @ceorl @wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze

Part of my daily creed is "Light and Dark must both exist. I will do what I must to maintain the balance for the balance holds all life."

Between everything we feel, everything we experience, everything we decide, between each extreme, that middle is us, and everything around us.

@wolfwoman @LnzyHou @ceorl @AskTheDevil @poemblaze

"Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter."

@LnzyHou @ceorl @wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze

"Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hatred, hatred leads to the dark side of the force." - Yoda

There's some real wisdom there, I think.

That said, I've been finding a lot of peace in looking at feelings in a non dualistic way. Much like ceorl is talking about, oppisities, but not good or evil.

They simply are. With our judgements come pain. With our awareness and acceptance of them (Not indulgence) I think comes healing.

@LnzyHou @wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze

"Hello my hatred. I see you there, Im going to sit with you mindfully to understand you and heal you."

No judgement, no shame, just awareness, and then action and choice.

Feelings are, but so our are decisions about those feelings.

@LnzyHou @wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze

I've encountered many teachings lately about store consciousness. How there are seeds of all mental states and emotions within us. Mindfulness, hatred, anger, compassion, etc.

Attention/engagement is like fertilizer for them, but even without that, they will still arise for a variety of reasons.

The "trick" is to respond to each state with an attitude of love and healing for oneself.

@Soldier_Solitude I sometimes have trouble sleeping, but much less lately. Meditation, physical activity, and a new sleeping mat have greatly enhanced my sleep.

I run normally six days a week, between 4 and 7 miles a day.

@wolfwoman @AskTheDevil @poemblaze Hatred, I think, is a complicated emotion. Once it is recognized it can be decided upon.

Feelings are, but so is will. The question is, what to do about it?

Hatred is a natural response I think, to certain kinds of experience, but ultimately its a consuming force. I've heard it said its like drinking poison and expecting ones enemy to die.

I think its because it roots us back to a toxic event.

Pardon me while I ramble and wander through this. ^_^

@Soldier_Solitude Thank you my friend. I still havent gotten on to my run today. I sat down for meditation, and promptly passed out in my chair for half an hour, woke up, started again, same result.

Taking melatonin before bed last night was probably not the best idea? :P

I'm feeling perky now though, and well centered. I finally got some focus in ontop of the sleep, and now I'm eyeing that run.

It's a good kind of busy, but you're right, without balance there is no life.

Good morning groovy souls!

Feeling a little tired today, but I am still on the bounce. This week is a whirlwind, but breakfast is hot and ready with meditation coming just after.

Tomorrow and Friday should be a little slower before the adventure begins again!

Onward, toward the wander!
Onward, toward the dawn!

@elmaxx I'm prepping to head out again on Saturday, doing a lot of prep work here. I've been alright, but I'm hoping to get back to writing and such soon.

@elmaxx Of course. Also the sun has risen!

@elmaxx Hello Brother!