How often do we talk negatively of other people? We speak negatively of others for a variety of reasons but we commonly do it so as to prop ourselves up by putting others down, whether we choose to admit such motives or not. Read more…
- Author: Alan A
Practice Makes Progress
I write this in the midst of being humbled yet again as a result of my own behaviors. The spiritual principles that I write about on this site may describe perfect ideals and I do practice everything that I write, but as I was reminded of tonight, I still have a lot of work to do as my spirituality and actions fall quite short of the perfect ideals of which I write. Read more…
- Author: Alan A
There is Suffering
Most of us would say that I am sad, I am angry, I am in pain or I am suffering when we experience such feelings and emotions. Are feelings and emotions such as sadness, anger, pain and suffering original to each of us or are they shared by us all? It seems to me that feelings and emotions were here long before we came around and will be here after we’re gone. Why then do we make them so personal? Read more…
- Author: Alan A
The Serenity Prayer
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other. Read more…
- Author: Alan A
Be Positive for a Day
Do you think you can be positive for one day? Absolutely no negativity allowed from the time you wake to the time you go to bed. As you make a conscious effort to do this, you will be more aware of your negative thoughts, speech and feelings that occur throughout the course of the day. You may be surprised as to just how negative you can be. Read more…
- Author: Alan A
Angry Outbursts
How do you feel after you react to a situation with anger? Does anger make you feel powerful and in control or embarrassed and out of control or both? However anger makes you feel and whether you know it or not, anger is not conducive to peace and happiness. Read more…
- Author: Alan A
Be Kind to Yourself
There may be character and physical traits that we don’t like about ourselves, even if we have an overall good self-esteem. Many people have low self-esteems and therefore can’t stand many of their personal traits. I am all for changing that which we do not like about ourselves providing that the changes are possible and for the better. There are certain traits however that we will not be able to change and still others that will take some time. So, why not be kind to yourself while you’re trying to change that which can be changed and learn to accept that which cannot? Read more…
- Author: Alan A
Smile Before You Talk
My wife has told me more than once to think before I talk. My wife speaks English with a Spanish accent and her grammar is less than perfect so her exact words to me were “think before to talk” 
We were both told once by an elderly monk that before we speak to each other, we should take a deep breath in, exhale and then smile. Now imagine if everyone in this world took a deep breath and smiled before speaking. Read more…
- Author: Alan A
The Self and How We Relate to Others
The less self-centered we are or in other words, the smaller our self, the better we will relate and interact with others, for the most part. When we become bothered in some way by a person with whom we have interacted, it is a result of our self. I have written about this self in other posts but not so much about how it affects our relationships with other people. Can you see how your self-centeredness can play a significant role in your relationships with others? Read more…
- Author: Alan A
This Moment May Not Be Enough
I talk a lot on this site about living in the moment and being with the way it is. Being fully present in the here and now is certainly conducive to peace and happiness. However, there are many who are unhappy with themselves and spiritually and psychologically unhealthy so that being with this moment means being with these unpleasant conditions as well. Read more…
