Misfortunes As Well

A much revered teacher once said that if his students
were going to thank him for their good fortune, then
they had to thank him for what they considered
misfortunes as well.

Stephen Levine

Wow: a Prayer

When we are stunned to the place beyond words, when an aspect of life takes us away from being able to chip away at something until it's down to a manageable size and then to file it nicely away, when all we can say in response is "Wow," that's a prayer.

Anne Lamott

Second Wind

Grace can be the experience of a second wind,
when even though what you want is clarity and
resolution, what you get is stamina and poignancy
and the strength to hang on.

Anne Lamott

All You Need

In many cases, breath
is all you need.

Anne Lamott

It Takes a Journey

Sometimes it takes a journey
to come home.

Stephen Levine

Whole At Last

When the heart at last acknowledges how much pain there is in the mind, it turns like a mother toward a frightened child. All that remains incomplete seems somehow workable and an unmistakable joy arises at the possibility of becoming whole at last.

Stephen Levine

Prepare Yourself

Remember, friends, as you pass by,
As you are no so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be.
Prepare yourself to follow me.

Common 18th Century Epitaph