Every morning I have a wonderful time looking through all the blogs and sites that I have rss’d (they get sent to me without me having to seek them out all the time). And for the techies in the audience – download Sage for free and it aggregates all your RSS feeds visually. I love it.
Anyway (yeh – I can see the non IT nerds yawning out there) – I get a buddhist saying every day and todays was kind of apt.
There are two mistakes one can make along the way – not going all the way and not starting. Buddha
That’s what I feel about core dreams and ideas.
Having dreams and playing with ideas is fantastic. The more the merrier.
Somewhere along the line it is worth deciding which ones you want to make a reality.
So start.
As to going all the way – well- I have a more fluid approach. Keep the dream/idea/goal in sight – do your very best to make it real – and – if for whatever reason it doesn’t seem to be working – let it go.
Many, many years ago I came across something called the Four Path Way. I can’t remember what spiritual tradition it came from and I’m an eclectic magpie when it comes to spiritual purpose – dogma just doesn’t do it for me.
The Four Path Way is something I talk to groups about when I’m working with them over a period of time. I use it as a kind of code of behaviour in the group.
Here it is:
Turn Up
Be Present
Tell the Truth
Let go of the Outcome
Simple & effective.
Letting go of the outcome does not mean don’t have a goal. It means that, paradoxically, have a dream, work towards it – and then – let go – of the perceived success and failure.
Learn from it certainly – just don’t define yourself by it.
That’s my wee thought for the day.
Have a great week folks.
Liz
Good morning Liz,
It is 8:50 a.m. here in AZ and there is no school today – a brief break following a long period of required government testing of all school children. I will not bore you with my stand on these tests :(.
Your Four Path Way sounds remarkably similar to The Four Fold Way I have used for many years – something I meditate on each morning as I close my daily yoga practice. It goes like this:
1. Show up; choose to be present
2. Extend honor and respect
3. Value the art and craft of communication
4. Responsibility and discipline
I just may change the name of mine to The Five Path Way and add:
5. Let go of the outcome
(we must learn what we can control and what we cannot control)
I read about mine (I have adopted this as my own with my own modifications and the ways in which I adapt this to my life) many years ago in a book by the same name written by Angeles Arien. I also have one of her Tarot books. Reminding myself each morning of these four steps (soon to be 5:) helps me deal in more effective ways with my classroom full of 9 and 10 year olds all day every day.
A beautiful spring day here in the desert – my dog and I have already gone for a 3+ mile walk.
Lindy in the Sonoran Desert
Great post and great comment from Lindy. Just what I needed. Well…that and some breakfast – but this is a lot more nourishing.
Thanks for a wonderful start to my day, dear Liz. Glad I chose to show up and be fully present. I value our friendship and communication. That’s the truth and I let go of any outcomes. 🙂
Ronnie Ann
Thanks Lindy and Ronnie for your always delightful comments.
As my day wanders to a close I wish you a glorious day for yourselves.
Liz