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Love is a state of mind; compassion is a state of mind. Through these states, we receive information that steers our actions.
Fear is also a state of mind; self-consciousness, cynicism, morality (whatever your brand) - these are also mental gates through which we filter information. Today, let love trump fear. Let compassion read you the news of the hour.
-joybroker, Facebook status posted 01.20.10
Compassion
The single most effective antidote to stress and the most reliable catalyst for joy. The ability to tune in, to be intellectually curious before being emotionally reactive. Explore what compassion is and, more importantly, is not.
Suffering
A state of being at odds with reality and/or with oneself. Genuine hardships, physical pain, disappointment and frustrations abound in life; no getting around that fact. Suffering results when we forget we cannot see the whole picture from inside the moment and we try to micromanage the Universe, outthink God or alter what is without understanding the value of the experience.
Acceptance
Should not be confused with being a doormat. Acceptance is a state of mind that is purely receptive and available to insight. Rather than spending energy arguing against the current reality, an accepting state of mind relaxes, steps back and tunes in with compassion and detachment. You can accept that something is unacceptable.
Joy
Consistent emotional wellbeing infused with appreciation for the way things are in the moment and optimistic curiosity about what's to come. Joy stabilizes the heart, puts the mind at ease and energizes connectedness and belonging. It is a heightened creative state that refreshes and inspires from within.
Why do we feel compelled to be "brutally honest" when being "cheerfully honest" is an option?
Why must mistakes become "painfully obvious" when recognizing them could be "joyfully obvious" - a sigh of relief.
Why do we "wrestle with our demons" when we could "dance with" or "laugh at" or "kiss our demons goodbye" instead?
Why do we assume the subconscious is our hidden well of "darkness" when it also contains our untapped light?
Why do we take "long, hard looks" at ourselves when we could take "wise, loving looks" just as easily . . . and benefit twice as much.
five rhetorical questions
Laurie Perez, Facebook Note 09.08.09
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