A Single Step

Lao Tzu, a chinese philosopher and founder of Taoism is credited with the quote “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”

So our journey together down the path to change begins. This is but a single step in an ongoing journey that I've been on since the day I began my existence some 50+ years ago, but today is the day I ask you to join me on that path. Explore with me, question with me, share with me and I will do the same. I can only give you my thoughts and my perspectives - and I can only ask that you also share yours with me - and perhaps we will learn from each other.

It is my intent, as I continue down this path, to enable change. I know I will have left my mark on the world in a positive way if anything I write here opens a heart or mind to a different possibility. My children will attest to the fact (from years of hearing it from me) that I am a firm believer that if you keep doing the same old thing, you're going to keep getting the same old results. I am also a believer that the reality is that we are only limited by ourselves. Yes, sometimes the path to change is hard and uncomfortable and threatens everything that we've come to believe or everything that has become "comfortable", but without growth we cease to live, to thrive, to experience all that life offers. We become sheltered, apathetic, and even narcissistic...or we become angry, judgemental, and ready to blame everyone and everything else for our lack of happiness. You really DO have control.

I would love to see you choose to do something to change your life and the lives of those around you for the positive - and I want to believe that since you're reading this, you want the same thing. But you can choose to do nothing at all. Either way though, there is an effect. Think about it - and open your mind to a different way of thinking!

I'd like to share something that was written by Siddhattha Gautama - you may know him as simple "Buddha". The word "buddha", by the way, means "enlightened one" - and his writings illustrate the depth of his illumination in the ways of life and learning. Take a moment to think about these words - and let me know what those thoughts are. Positive or negative, you are free to express yourself here. Question it, agree with it, expound on it, beat it down if you can justify doing so, but think about it - and have a wonderful day!

"Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it." ~ Buddha -The "Enlightened One"

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