Environmental quote

Simple Life quote

Real Love

Show you care quote

Help others and follow dreams quote

written 02/08/09

Friendship quote

written dec 2007

A stroll in the park

i stroll through the park
its a sunny summers day
people greet me and smile as they pass on by

i see a nice patch of grass over there
so i think i'll have a lay down oh yeah

i pick up a twig and put it in my mouth
while i chew on it i daydream as i look up at the clouds

pretty flowers in the ground capture my eyes yeah
i enjoy the aroma they share with me
i pick one and place it gently in my hair

then i decide to hug a tree
wrapping my arms around it i can feel its healing energy
a baby bird comes running over to me
standing there sweetly looking up at me

now ive had a lovely time outdoors
its a pleasure, connecting with nature
but i think i'll stroll on home now

written 23/11/08
age 28

In The Moment

I sit on my bed,
Looking out at my view, through the opened French doors

As the sun goes down, I watch it seep through parts of the cloudy sky, while others gracefully float on by.

A soft breeze is welcomed, temporarily distracting me from a humid summer's afternoon.
Listening to the meditative sounds of sacred earth, helps me to feel at peace .

As the sun goes down, I see all the pretty lights, glow in the suburb before me.
In front of them is a dead tree, but its interesting contours, give it an art exibit feel.

I notice my surroundings how they appear to me now.
In these moments there is no need to speak, or even think.
I see, that being in the present moment, is all there really is.

Does a future actually exist?
And does the past really matter?

Being in the present, seems so much simpler, yet I know I'll complicate things again with my fluttering thoughts and believing each one to be true.

Why do we as humans feel the need to think all the time?

Reminiscing over the past and worrying about the future,
when the things we worry about may not even come into fruition, let alone the future itself.

If we give ourselves that moment,
to be in the moment,
We can then feel what we're always searching for...

Inner peace.


Written 13/12/08
Age 28

Peace within the pain

I wrote this when i laid on the couch for 2wks with spinal pain...

Feeling peace within the pain.

Sounds odd.

Yet somehow, during the unpleasant feelings, I can ''just be'' at one. I can... ''just be''.

At times a part of me enjoys when I feel quite unwell. For it's these times, I can lay there and appreciate the moment that is now.
I could venture into the past and think ''I should've done this'' or ''not have done that''. But I realise these thoughts will only hinder, not help me.


I could fantasise about the future.

All the things I ''need'' and ''want'' to do, but when I'm in this state, I am often too lazy to put those thoughts in motion. When I do, I tend to grasp at the future events, making myself feel anxious and eager to get back out there to try and fulfill my arranged plans, hoping to receive the desired outcome.
I have learnt in my life that plans often don't go the way they were supposed too. I didn't plan to have some degree of disability after an un-necessary surgery procedure. I could shower myself properly the morning I went into hospital, that afternoon onwards I couldn't.

Gradually, using my hands less due to chronic unrelenting pain, I now have hands that a virtually just for show.
As a young, extroverted girl who loved the independence, social interactions and just to be able to dance, run, enjoy a casual stroll and get up and do anything and go anywhere, has, in one fowl swoop been taken from me somewhat. Though thankfully, I am not completely dependent and am forever grateful and feel blessed to still have the chance to dream!

When I ''relax'' on the couch, in the agony of my physical pain, theres no need for nostalgia. It is past and it wont help me now!

Thinking of what may lie ahead, may never come.
I can now feel at peace, just being here.
I don't have to push myself to do this and do that.

Even when I enjoy my activities, my body constantly reminds me that I have a tumour. The flat mate, my mother named ''Tim'', is persistant in continuing to live with me, even though, everyone wants him to move out!
Even though, I can never seem to escape him, Its so nice not having to face ''the world outside'' sometimes.
I can just lay here and read, listen to some pleasing music, watch a funny movie, or express myself through writing. All the while having nutritious tasty meals served to me, to satisfy my healthy appetite, from someone who loves me.

When the pain's quite severe, its easy to start going over the ''what ifs''. ''what if'' I'm getting worse, ''what if'' this is the last time I'll walk, ''what if '' I die young, ''WHAT IF'', ''WHAT IF''... I am now learning to replace these thoughts with yeah, well, ''what if'' these things happen? Yes it would make things harder, no I don't want to suffer anymore, but for whatever reason, I've been given a life with a strong amount of suffering, and I've learnt to deal with that the best way I can.
When I feel angry, frustrated, sad etc, sometimes I go with it. Sometimes I hide behind some codeine, to help take the edge off, but to also give me that stoned sleepy feeling, so I can escape from this life, for a few hours. However, Other times, I realise the emptiness in it all.

I'm intelligent enough, to know the existence in things to be true are often false, including the reflection I see in the mirror. Although, being aware of it intellectually and feeling it as a sense are quite different. If we could all ''feel'' the emptiness and impermanence, we would all be in a state of equality. Nothing would bother us or hurt us any more.

Sometimes I feel this peace, when the pain is quite severe.

I fought the changes for nine years, though, its been more intense the last three and a half. Finally, I have stopped rebelling and fighting the deterioration of my body. I am now more accepting and embracing as there is nothing more I feel I can do.

I am aware there's a chance I could continue to decline. Am i being negative? no. Just realistic.

However, it doesn't make a thought like that any easier, at any age, but i think even more so, when your're young. Especially, socialising with others that are of similar age, with no apparent health problems... Yet.
Although, I can no longer waste energy on comparing myself to my friends or other young people, wishing for the ''old me'' to return, watching others, thinking, ''I could do that once'', or ''I used to take that for granted, like you do now'' or ''something so simple to you, which used to be for me, isn't so simple now'' etc, etc.

I need to realise, that everything passes, including who I used to be.

I've now had my time to grieve, and it is now time to let go and move on. I have to learn to love myself for I am now, then I can enjoy the present quality of my life.

After all, this life is impermanent, myself, loved ones and all surroundings. So I can choose to flow with it, bringing some relief or I can resist, bringing further suffering, until I reach the culmination of this life.
I am fortunate in the sense, that ive been given the opportunity, to ponder over my own mortality. Because we all know that all of us will depart at some point, but do we really feel it?

Most of us go to bed assuming we will awake tomorrow. But where is that guarantee?

There are no guarantees, the suns rays will shine through our bedroom window, to let us know, it's the birth of a new day. Or to hear the birds greet each other in a melodious manner. There are no guarantees with anything.

Everything is unstable.

Everything is changing.

So once again, I am glad to be able to express my deep inner thoughts and feelings, and that I have at least one participating member on my right hand (my thumb) to be able to type out my emotions through these words.
I would like to finish by saying, despite any deterioration, i do believe i have the chance and opportunity to reverse the situation and heal myself!

Being quite the determined, stubborn and strong minded person that i am, has actually worked in my favour. It's given me the strength and patience i need to never give in or give up! All hope isn't lost!
I will now sit back into my ''luxury lounge'' and enjoy a nice cup of tea and feel... the peace within the pain.

Written by Harmony
Age 28
Thursday 14/08/08

Sweet Serenity

This is my rock where I sit and I dream.

With each life giving breath, i feel more alive, as my lungs inhale the fresh, un-polluted air.

I close my eyes and hear the trickling of the water as it flows freely down the side of the cliff.
I hear each liquid drop,one by one, connecting with the lake below.

I now change my position and lay across the rock.

With my feet on the ground, I draw in the earth energies.

The sun smiles upon me, with its rays gently penetrating my skin, while a soft breeze carefully caresses each individual strand of my hair.

While I peacefully lay there, I look up and gaze at the cumulonimbus clouds looking inviteably like white marshmallows, floating across the pale blue sky.
I wonder if I could cushion myself comfortably in them?

I then look across and am now lured in by the pond beside me.
I rise and walk towards it, as its crystal clear presence, is too hard to resist.
As I approach I notice the trees overhanging above, with their reflections calmly swaying with the movement of the water.

I gradually step in.

My feet feel like they're being massaged by the sand and pebbles below.
I feel the water particles touch every part of my skin, for there is no layer of fabric between us.

I feel free... no restrictions.

Every gentle ripple, washes away any impurities, leaving my body to feel cleansed and alive.

With the rock walls around me, I feel safe as they embrace me like a warm hug.
Leaning against the layered cliff wall, I position myself nicely into the corner.

I observe my mind and become aware of the fleeting thoughts.
Drifting into a meditative state, these images start to subside, bringing a sense of emptiness and peace within.
As I go deeper into the present moment I am captivated more and more by nature's version of music and beauty that appears before me.

Mother nature offers these tranquil surroundings ... Until she is disturbed.

I feel all the elements come together, generously sending out their healing energies to refresh and revitalise my body and mind.

Even though I am alone, I am at one with myself and with nature.

There is a stillness within my heart.

There is harmony.


Written age 28
Fri 11/07/08

SAMSARA

The karmic wheel spins again, like waiting for a number on the roulette table, which realm of samsara, will we take birth in this time?
From beginningless times, we’ve had to endure the suffering of countless rebirths and experience all kinds of karma, because we cannot control our mental afflictions of desire, attachment and ignorance.

We are blessed to be born as humans, rather then a hell being, or in the animal realm of ‘eat or be eaten’, but being born into a place of leisure and opportunity, do we use our time wisely?

We’re too concerned with money, sex and power!
These are the most important things to have, or are they?

We work all day, sleep all night and strive to have material possessions. This is what success is based on. But what is success really?

When we pass on from this life, will working hard all our life, until one is sick or old and having all the latest gadgets (that we’re constantly bombarded with by big corporations, that don’t care, who or what they destroy, because they are fueled by their own greed) really mean anything in the end? Is this real success?
Living a simple life and showing love and compassion to all beings, wouldn’t this be considered true success?

Actually making a difference in the world, by bringing love into the hearts of people and animals and respecting our land.

After all, it’s mother earth that supplies us with all our needs and resources, and we show our appreciation, by treating it, like it’s our own personal toilet! People seem to be more concerned with trivial things, such as their vanity or the pain in their little toe, rather than the important things going on in the world.
When we pass on from this life, we leave all our loved ones behind and our possessions, so why have attachment?
Love unconditionally, give generously without expectations.

For it is not us who dies, just the form we take on in this life. When we leave this life, who we are now, will NEVER be here again. We will never come back as the person we’re known to others today. We will be someone entirely different.
However, our mental continuum will carry on to take our next rebirth and depending on how we behave, will determine, how our next life will be and what form we take on.

We are in control of what happens to us, through our thoughts and actions. Karma will continue to exist while we live with cravings and attachment to things, including our own self cherishing (one who cherishes the self, cannot be trusted) The way we see ourselves, the ‘I’, that we so desperately grasp on too, doesn’t really exist, the way we perceive it.
We are but merely a name, that exists for only a certain amount of time.

Being born as a human, we have accumulated much merit. To be beautiful one has created much patience. From ethics comes happiness, joyous effort comes strength and generousity comes resources.

Another thing i'd like to say, is why do we hold on to the past? Would you go through yesterday’s garbage to make tonight’s meal?

And fantasising about the future can bring disappointment, when things don’t go our way.
As John Lennon said “Life is what happens to you, while you’re busy making other plans”

So live in the now and follow a virtuous path.

Karma is expantial No matter how small the deed (good or bad).
It’s like a seed that’s planted and grows into a huge tree, with many branches. Once planted, nothing can stop the seed, unless other factors come into play and prevent that from happening.
For eg. doing a negative action, will ripen, unless purified.

Search for happiness within, because external conditions or in another term, samsaric pleasures, will only bring temporary happiness.

When suffering from mental anguish or physical pain, know that it will pass, nothing is permanent. I have had my own experiences with this. If one is going through this, know that it will be temporary, no matter how permanent it may seem at the time.

Everything is transient.

Have faith in two of the 4 noble truths which is “there is a cause to suffering and there is cessation of suffering.”

I know, that by feeling depressed, frustrated or angry, will only create more negative karma for myself, therefore, more suffering.

Instead, by helping other’s, helps relieve one’s own pain, because it takes the focus off one’s self. It also teaches us kindness and brings much merit.

If someone behaves badly to another being, this shows a lack of inner contentment. Instead of retaliating in the same manner, and seeing the person as inherently bad or as an enemy, use this person to help develop patience and wisdom.
Practice equanimity to all beings.

All our experiences we go through, are due to our own karmic conditions, ripening at that particular time. Nothing can happen to us, unless we have created the cause to do so.
So stay positive with an open mind, show love and compassion, be generous and follow the path of morality.

Love and blessings

Written 17/03/07

Possum Lady

I know you don't see it now
But look at what you've done
You've saved these animals lives
And become their beautiful mum

You've picked them up
When they've been stranded
And held them in your arms
Saving them from the outside world
Protecting them from harm

You've given them another chance
Another chance of life
Without you,
They probably would've died a cold and lonely death
Or been in very big strife

Always playing by your side
Wanting to always be close to you
Knowing that they're loved
And them loving you too

Don't blame yourself
For you can only do your best
Your're not expected to know everything
Especially while your're still learning

Now it is time for them to move on
For karma has come into play
And even though we didn't want them to leave
It wasn't their fate to stay

But at least they have left peacefully
With nothing but love filled in their tum
And before they left on their new journey
They left knowing...
That they had a mum

Written Age 23
10/08/03