Tag: wisdom

Some thoughts on transition

Carl Setzer2 Comments
minimalist shot of coffee cup in sunlight

I came across this little gem earlier today over on Instagram.

The one that most strongly resonated with me was the first one: “To get somewhere, you have to leave where you are…” As someone who is rather risk-averse and values comfort, this one speaks strongly to me. I do wonder if I might be a Hobbit.

Another one that spoke to me: “Stillness notices what distraction misses…” Living fully immersed in the distraction economy/society, but somewhat against my will. I feel a strong pull to work on this. Little things like spending time reading books, as in paper, not my Kindle, not blog posts, nor Tweets.

I like starting the day with some reflection, with challenging the ways society pulls us…sometimes against our will, sometimes like an undertow in the sea of numbed distraction.

Some Valuable Advice

Carl Setzer3 Comments

I love this post I found this morning on Instagram:

I’ve often found myself torn between my mind’s competing interests. Recently I figured out that at those moments, THIS is what I need to do: “pursue myself”. Become better, healthier, happier…all those things make for a better life. Much more so than simply getting some promotion or a new job.

Anyway, I wish a happy Friday to you all! May you move closer to your dreams.

Morning Meditation: A Life You’re Proud Of

Carl Setzer

Do the best you can

Live a life you are proud of

And have no regrets

I woke with this idea, a strong voice in my head. This is how to live a life with no regrets. Always do the best work you can. Always seek actions that you are proud of. Then you’ll have nothing to be ashamed of. 

Today’s Black History Month Meditation: Rita Dove

Carl Setzer

Great advice for the new poet…and for the old. Of course today we always have our phone with us, capturing our thoughts, poem scraps along with photos. There’s research supporting pen-and-paper’s superiority, for what that’s worth. Ultimately, the best solution is the one you use. As long as you’re confident in capturing your ideas, your brain can focus on creation. 

A bit of martial arts wisdom this evening

Carl Setzer

Tidbits to remember during life’s trials. Focus on the end goal.

Ignorance Is Bliss?

Carl Setzer

Deer silently eat 

Wolfs eyes glistening

Ignorance is bliss?

A Sunday morning meditation for you. 

A Thursday Morning Meditation

Carl Setzer

Each day has beauty 

If you’ll give energy to 

Go and seek it out 

Listening to Fear

Carl Setzer3 Comments

Fear has great wisdom
Face it boldly and head-on
Always stay mindful

This is a profound challenge for me. I do not like the sensation of fear. Yet I know it’s a required sensation for growth. 

As we push ourselves outside our “comfort zone”,  fear holds sway. Listen to it, see what it’s trying to say, look for truth. Is there something real to be afraid of, or is it the unknown, the simple possibility of failure? When you’ve done such, answers tend you be intuitively obvious. 

A morning meditation on Rumi

Carl Setzer

I adore Rumi. The wisdom within his poetry has long guided me. 

Within this small line: the importance of faith. Not necessarily directed toward any particular diety. Simply regarding our community. 

Our futures are unknowable until they become our past. Even then meaning slowly gets gleaned. 

I live with a dangerous mindset: desiring to understand all the ramifications of a choice before I act. This impossibility risks paralyzing me. Often, it has. Losing opportunity out of fear? That’s sad. 

I need to embrace that the way will appear when it needs to, and not a moment before. And that this way is good, it is for the best. 

Believe the unknown and uncontrollable are not reasons to hide, to wait, relegating opportunity to vapor.