Inspiration on Legs

May 16, 2015

onwaterAs Yogi’s, and people almost too zealously dedicated to self improvement, I think we can often be on thesearch for the next great inspirational quote. That line that someone, somewhere, will impart on us and it will bring alive a truth that will change us. Where we feel like someone peeled our eyes open with their bare hands. It only takes once, and we’re hooked. We buy the books, sign up for the conventions, seek out guru’s to deliver us the knowledge that we crave. It is a noble pursuit. But if your anything like me you can get caught up in the nobility and lose your individuality. What I mean is that I begin to forget that I too am a source of wisdom…that I too am quote worthy. That I have brilliance to offer as well. Why is it that some of those quotes resonate with us so much? Because you recognize yourself in it. It was a truth you knew in your core and someone else managed to put it into words. They did not give you that revelation, it was already yours. Sure it’s meaningful when someone can use words to open our eyes. But they simply helped open your eyes to your own minds knowing. We have that resounding moment in our heads when we say “That’s so true!”. But what we mean is “I already knew that!”.

I apologize to the guys but I have to mention Oprah for a moment. Oprah has a section in every one of her magazine called “What I know for Sure”. I think this question is fantastic, because we can be so busy searching out the knowledge of others that we forget the natural source that lies within us. What do you know for sure? What I love about the nature of this question is that it cuts to the heart of things. To know something for sure, means you lived it, you swam through it. The answers that follow that question aren’t theoretical, you know it because you beat it, or it beat you. But either way, you own that knowledge. Let your next meditation, or your next journal entry, or your next cup of coffee be a moment to ask yourself this question. This weeks mediation is meant to remind you that you are your own bottomless well of wisdom, you are a quote factory, inspiration on legs.

The below poem was used in class, but this is a poem any one of us could write, should write, and are writing with every breath. If you do sit down to write what you know my one piece of advice is to be raw. Don’t try to make it sound fancy. What sucks? What’s awesome? What bites? What soothes? Let your guts do the answering and you may awaken a guru within yourself that you never knew existed.

I’ve learned –
that you cannot make someone love you.
All you can do is
be someone who can be loved.
The rest is up to them.

I’ve learned –
that no matter how much I care,
some people just don’t care back.

I’ve learned –
that it takes years to build up trust,
and only seconds to destroy it.

I’ve learned –
that it’s not what you have in your life
but who you have in your life that counts.

I’ve learned –
that you can get by on charm
for about fifteen minutes.
After that, you’d better know something.

I’ve learned –
that you shouldn’t compare
yourself to the best others can do
but to the best you can do.

I’ve learned –
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I’ve learned –
that no matter how thin you slice it,
there are always two sides.

I’ve learned –
that it’s taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I’ve learned –
that it’s a lot easier
to react than it is to think.

I’ve learned –
that you can keep going
long after you think you can’t.

I’ve learned –
that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.

I’ve learned –
that either you control your attitude
or it controls you.

I’ve learned –
that regardless of how hot and steamy
a relationship is at first,
the passion fades and there had better be
something else to take its place.

I’ve learned –
that heroes are the people
who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done,
regardless of the consequences.

I’ve learned –
that there are people who love you dearly,
but just don’t know how to show it.

I’ve learned –
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I’ve learned –
that sometimes the people you expect
to kick you when you’re down
will be the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned –
that sometimes when I’m angry
I have the right to be angry,
but that doesn’t give me
the right to be cruel.

I’ve learned –
that true friendship continues to grow,
even over the longest distance.
Same goes for true love.

I’ve learned –
that just because someone doesn’t love you
the way you want them to doesn’t mean
they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned –
that maturity has more to do with
what types of experiences you’ve had
and what you’ve learned from them
and less to do with how many
birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I’ve learned
that you should never tell a child
their dreams are unlikely or outlandish.
Few things are more humiliating, and
what a tragedy it would be
if they believed it.

I’ve learned –
that your family won’t always
be there for you. It may seem funny,
but people you aren’t related to
can take care of you and love you
and teach you to trust people again.
Families aren’t biological.

I’ve learned –
that no matter how good a friend is,
they’re going to hurt you
every once in a while
and you must forgive them for that.

I’ve learned –
that it isn’t always enough
to be forgiven by others.
Sometimes you have to learn
to forgive yourself.

I’ve learned –
that no matter how bad
your heart is broken
the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned –
that our background and circumstances
may have influenced who we are,
but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned –
that just because two people argue,
it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other
And just because they don’t argue,
it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned –
that sometimes you have to put
the individual ahead of their actions.

I’ve learned –
that we don’t have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.

I’ve learned –
that two people can look
at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.

I’ve learned –
that there are many ways of falling
and staying in love.

I’ve learned –
that no matter the consequences,
those who are honest with themselves
get farther in life.

I’ve learned –
that no matter how many friends you have,
if you are their pillar you will feel lonely
and lost at the times you need them most.

I’ve learned –
that your life can be changed
in a matter of hours
by people who don’t even know you.

I’ve learned –
that even when you think
you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you,
you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned –
that writing, as well as talking,
can ease emotional pains.

I’ve learned –
that credentials on the wall
do not make you a decent human being.

I’ve learned –
that the people you care most about in life
are taken from you too soon.

– Anonymous