Words of Wisdom

We hear words of wisdom from our parents, but do we take heed?

Words of wisdom are written, but do we read?

They are there for the taking, but do we take?

Without knowing its depth would you wade through the lake?

I have listened, I have read, and I have taken,

Am I wiser or am I mistaken?

"When it comes time to die,

Be not like those who's hearts are filled with fear of death

So when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time

to live their lives over again in a different way

Sing your death song,

And die like a hero going home."

"He who knows not and knows not he knows not,

He is a fool, shun him.

He who knows not and knows he knows not,

He is simple, teach him.

He who knows and knows not he knows,

He is asleep, awaken him.

He who knows and knows that he knows,

He is wise, follow him."

"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.

Willing is not enough, we must do."

"An enemy can hurt an enemy and a man who hates

Can hurt another man.

But a man's own mind, if wrongly directed,

Can do him far greater harm."

"You are my guide through the darkest alley

You radiate brightness in the deepest valley

I look forward to seeing you after the night

You are my comfort, you are the light"

"We join spokes together in a wheel,

But it is the centre hole that makes the wagon move.

We shape clay into a pot,

But it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want.

We hammer wood for a house,

But it is the inner space that makes it liveable.

We work with being,

But non-being is what we use"

"To look but not see

To touch but not feel

To eat but not taste

To breathe but not smell

To hear but not listen

  Five senses but non-sense"

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,

our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness, that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,talented and fabulous?"

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God

Your playing small doesn't serve the insecure around you.

We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It is not just within some of us; it is in everyone.

As we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

"I know not how I may seem to others

But to myself I am but a small child wandering upon the vast shores of knowledge

Every now and then finding a small bright pebble to content myself with

"He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more;

He who loses courage loses all."

"Before I studied the art, a punch was just a punch, a kick just a kick.

After I had learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a kick no longer a kick.

Now that I understand the art, a punch is just a punch, a kick just a kick."

"He speaks ill of me, he puts me down

He disrespects me in every town

He does not know me, he is not my friend

But I shall be in his mind until the end

I thank him dearly for his pre-occupation

And wish him luck on his road to salvation"

'Ard

"I'm 'ard, check the way I walk.

I'm 'ard, listen to me talk.

I 'aint no blagger, I've got the swagger.

Wot you lookin' at? I got the stare!

I've even shaven me 'air!

Chest out, muscles pumped

Keep on starin' an you're gonna get thumped!

I'm 'ard

Well 'ard!"

"Life is always full of change, like the four seasons a never ending story of birth,death and re-birth.

Sometimes we decide upon our own changes,other times it is decided for us.

We should accept change as a way of growing

Be grateful that we are not a stagnant pool, festering all alone.

Like a river, we travel, meandering through all the mountains and valleys.

Through change we learn, we experience and we develop.

Sometimes we are sad because of change; such is the way of things.

Accept this and understand its necessity, only then will you be free of its burden.

Let change be your friend, hold hands and be led towards your personal growth"

"We are travellers on the ocean of life, boats representing our character, our spirit.

Sometimes the waters are calm and we feel as though we are going nowhere,

Then along comes a gentle breeze to help us on our way.

Other times our journey is interupted by storms and rough seas,

We may feel that we are going to capsize, to drown.

It is during these times that our boats need to be strong.

All storms eventually pass over, making way for clearer weather.

However, my friend, should your boat become damaged during one of these storms,

Then climb aboard mine and we shall repair yours together."

"Emptiness, sadness, anger, blame

To lose someone causes so much pain.

I try so hard not to cry

And yet I keep asking why?

Were you called? was it your time?

If I had these answers would it all be fine?

The sad truth is you are now gone,

And I know I must be strong and carry on.

I thank you for sharing your time with me,

You will always be here, in my memory."

"Rigid, like the tallest tree with it's roots firmly embeded in the soil.

Like a mountain, rugged and awe inspiring.

And yet, trees are uprooted, mountains worn down.

Such strength, such vulnerability.

We cannot see the wind, but we know of it's force.

Water, so soft and pliable to touch, we know of it's strength.

A spider's web, so fragile and yet capable of holding it's prey.

It would seem that even the softest of things possess great strength.

Therefore, it is from within that we should seek our own strength.

For the spirit is immovable, indomitable, should we choose it to be so."

"As the morning Sun rises,

Like a satin blanket you spread.

Meandering lightly over the hills and fields,

Transforming trees into sillohettes.

Painting the landscape with your pale hue,

Tinted with gold, touched by the Sun.

Only my eyes can capture such beauty

For there is no canvas that will hold you."

"Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man

But sooner or later, the man who wins

Is the man who thinks he can"

The man had studied martial arts for many years when he decided to seek the tutelage of the great Master. As he met with the Master for the first time, he told the old man of all his accomplishments and knowledge, leaving hardly a space for the Master to respond. As the prospective student kept talking, the teacher got up and gathered cups and a pot for tea. Again, the man kept talking of all he had learned, hoping to impress the teacher with his skill and understanding. The Master began to pour the tea, starting with his guest's cup. He poured very slowly, and when the liquid reached the top of the cup, he kept going. At first the student didn't say anything. When the tea began to cover the whole tray he couldn't stand it any longer.

"The cup is overfull. You must stop pouring!"
"This cup is like you. You are so full of the knowledge you have gained, you don't have room for any more. If I am to teach you anything, you must first empty your cup".

"If you understand,

 Things are just as they are,

If you don't understand,

 Things are just as they are."