"The spiritual warrior's discipline is gentleness. Asserting gentleness in all spheres of life, nonviolence and peace are achieved." - Raha Sahar

When we practice the virtue of gentleness we get in touch with caring for ourselves and others. It is essential to care for ourselves. If we are dried up like raisins we have nothing to offer. Taking the time to rejuvenate and tenderly care for our needs leads to inner peace and a natural desire to contribute to life.

Don Miguel Ruiz writes, "If I don't feel good emotionally, I find out what is causing it and fix it. Then I can recover my happiness and keep going with my story."

Three Hebrew Words for Love

During this time of the year many people are looking for love. Some are looking in the right places and some are looking in the wrong places. Regardless, it may be helpful to know what it is that we are really looking for in a relationship.

In the Bible there is a book called Song of Songs. It basically is a collection of Hebrew love poems. In this Biblical book there are three different Hebrew words used to describe love. I have found these three things to be very important to cultivating a healthy and loving relationship.

Friendship
The first Hebrew word used to describe love in Song of Songs is "Raya," which means basically a friend, a companion or soulmate (Song of Songs 4:7). Basically, this special person should be our best friend.

I am a creative person. What I mean by that is that I like to cast vision and dream about the future. In my job I get to create programs, curriculum, plan workshops, and outreaches that bring awareness to important topics such as domestic violence, sexual assault and peace.

I am given the room to dream and come up with ideas that contribute to making our community a better place. I am so fortunate to be working in an environment where I am encouraged, supported and allowed to cast vision. It is a gift.

Here are some quotes on dealing with worry from various different people. The theme seems to be to learn to live a worry free life. Worry doesn't help us one bit and it only hinders us from experiencing peace and harmony in our life. So read these and start zapping away that worry.

"There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever." - Mahatma Ghandi

Henry Ford and Thomas Edison were friends. Ford, since he was a child, looked up to Edison and ended up working for him as an engineer at the Edison Illuminating Company.

They officially appear to have met at a convention sponsored by Edison's company. Someone introduced Ford to Edison as, "There's a young fellow who has made a gas car."

Edison and Ford talked for some time and then Edison showed his approval and excitement about Ford's invention by banging his fist down on the table. "Young man," he said, "that's the thing! You have it! Your car is self contained and carries its own power plant."

"The boy could see in his father's gaze a desire to be able, himself, to travel the world - a desire that was still alive, despite his father's having had to bury it, over dozens of years, under the burden of struggling for water to drink, food to eat, and the same place to sleep every night of his life." - The Alchemist

Some people have dreams and visions that have been put aside or on the shelf. They may have dreamed of seeing the pyramids in Egypt, starting a new business or career, going back to school, or maybe learning to play a musical instrument.

But the great distractions of life come into play.