Be The Change
Posted: December 17, 2012 Filed under: 365 Meditation Challenge, Autumn, beginnings, Daily Walk, Earth, endings, Fire, goals, home, Letting Go, Mindfulness, nature, Photography, pond, Spirit, Today's Joys, Walking, wandering, water, weather | Tags: autumn, MaidinSun Photography, nature, Outdoors, pond, quotes, trees, water, weather 31 Comments
Nearing the solstice
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
~ (Mis)Attributed to Mahatma Gandhi*
Light in the spruce
If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. … We need not wait to see what others do.
~ Mahatma Gandhi (what he really said)*
Trunk
I had a lovely weekend filled with warmth, love, and lots of laughter. I knew something had happened on Friday, and knew it was a shooting, but did not learn the details until yesterday. We turned off the news and limited our computer time to just a quick email check (because that’s how some family and friends keep in touch) so we could concentrate on enjoying our time with family. We don’t often get the luxury of shutting out the world. I’m grateful that we had this one weekend to do so.
I recently bought a blank journal with the words Be The Change stamped into the leather of the front cover. I had nothing in mind when I purchased it. Picking it up this morning, I decided to use it to help me create the change I want to see and be. The details are sketchy and in the planning stages, but I do have an idea of where I want to go with it.
Sunset on the pond
Recent events, including the holiday weekend with my family, have me rethinking my word or theme for the upcoming new year. Love is the word. Everything else seems to spring from that. Change made from a place of love, in my experience, sticks better than change made from fear, loathing, or a sense of obligation.
Today’s reflections
Ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others. And the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will be in our troubled world.
~ Etty Hillesum
That’s it from the Bogs for today. Thank you so much for your visit on this gray, but warm, day in the Bogs. Rumor has it we might get some snow later in the week. Won’t that be a treat?
Be good, be kind, be loving, just Be.
*An article in the New York Times last year, Falser Words Were Never Spoken, claims that Gandhi’s words were tweaked to a bumper sticker phrase.
Life in the Bogs 
Fantastic series Robin!
Thank you, Phil. 🙂
This felt so peaceful to read. Thank you Robin.
You’re welcome, Colleen. 🙂
…must be why i always forget who said it, but I do love the wisdom of those words: Be the change you want to see in the world! it gives me hope that we can each, by being loving, kind, compassionate, understanding and gentle, bring in a whole new world.
That’s my hope too, Joss. 🙂
Lovely thoughts and words. You are correct – love and beauty, from within and appreciated out, are the key.
Thank you, Karma. 🙂
A wonderful series of shots and thoughts!
Thank you, LadyFi. 🙂
calming, encouraging, inspiring, uplifting, thank you robyn 🙂
You are most welcome, Christine. 🙂
Thank you.
So glad that you were disconnected last weekend, and your family event wasn’t saddened.
Your choice for a Watchword for the coming year is wonderful 🙂
You’re welcome, Marie. And thank you. 🙂
One of my favorite quotes. It says so much , so simply. I think the challenge is that we live in a rewards and quid pro quo culture that just doesn’t “buy into it.” Too many people expect some reward for thinking this way – of being the change. They don’t see it as the reward itself. Which is too bad. But that just means we need to keep repeating it – reminding. Thanks for this reminder. 🙂
I watching the weather forecast with expectation. I’d be a thrill to have snow for Christmas.
You’re welcome, Terry. I agree — being the change IS the reward. 🙂
Thanks for a lot of peace, wonder, and perspective … then again, that’s what you regularly give. 🙂
You’re welcome, Frank. And thank you. That’s a lovely compliment. 🙂
🙂
Perfect! This was wonderful to read this morning. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Cindy. And thank you. 🙂
Very peaceful, very lovely, Robin. The photo “Trunk” whispered its love to me. May we all realize the love that we are.
Thank you, Kathy. That’s a lovely wish/blessing. 🙂
Great to see what Ghandi actually said. I had no idea the other was a misattribution. Love sounds like a wonderful theme for the coming year. Can’t wait to see where that leads you and by association–us. Happy holidays, my friend.
Hugs,
Kathy
Thank you, Kathy M. Happy holidays to you too! 🙂
It’s a shame we can’t live without a cell phone or email and just love every day…..Wait, that was the sixties!
lol, Frank! My husband and I often ask in a joking tone, “Whatever did we do without cell phones??” Life was simpler, I think, but that could be my age speaking. 🙂
“Reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves” now that’s worthy working towards
As always, thanks for things to really think about.
You’re welcome, PhilosopherMouse. It was nice to return the favor as I frequently find your posts thought-provoking. 🙂
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