True Love

True LoveA shallow person will only ever have shallow relationships.

True love is not one person clinging to another, it can only be fostered between two strong people, secure in their individuality.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, wrote in his work Wind, Sand and Stars, “Love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction”

When we are fortunate enough to find someone we can love for whom they are, and who loves us for whom we are, then we are truly fortunate. Meeting that person, amongst the throng of humanity, is surely one of the most fortunate karmic effects we can experience.

Responsibility

LoveDaily life can sometimes seem drab and unexciting. Living itself can often seem a strain, and a few of us unrealistically expect the joy we feel to last forever.

But when we fall in love, life seems filled with drama and excitement. We feel like the leading character in a film or a novel.

Sadly, if you find yourself lost in that love, because you become besotted or distracted, and consequently stray from the path to enlightenment, then love is nothing more than a form of escapism.

Whilst you must always be true to yourself, remember that you must also be responsible for each and every action.

Pass It On

Ed is having a hard time - at work, in his love life and, well, generally. Then he meets an unlikely Buddhist - who drinks and smokes and talks his kind of language. Bit by bit, things begin to change...When you find something that excites and enthuses you, you want to tell people about it and spread the news. When it is a spiritual matter it can be a more delicate situation, wanting to be enthusiastic without being evangelical or overbearing.

My goto book, as we all know, is The Buddha, Geoff and Me, beautifully simple, brilliantly written and, for me at least, a life changer. So to make a present of the book, to someone you care about, might be an idea.

That way, you show you care, you pass on the idea , but you don’t force the issue. If they are interested they may choose to read it. They also have the chance to pass on the news at a later date, if they so decide. And so the good news spreads.

A Love That Will Never Die

The Secret Piano - Alexis FfrenchA parcel arrived at work today, and in it was an amazing little gizmo, an Apple TV module. It allows me to stream my photos, videos and my music, wirelessly from my iPad or my PC straight to my TV and my home cinema system.

So I’ve spend a wonderful evening looking through my photo albums, whilst listening to Earl Klugh, Pink Floyd, Alison Moyet, Alexis Ffrench and many others in stunning surround sound.

It’s only when you really sit and listen to music you love, some that hasn’t been played for many years, that you realise what power it has to lift your spirits and gladden your heart. So whilst I dislike the marketing strategy of Apple, with their restrictive practices and all, I am delighted with my new acquisition, and I’m sure it will be worth its weight in gold.

The Perfect Sounding Board

I love my MomDoes it sound sad to say that my Mom is my best friend? I don’t think anyone would describe me as a mommy’s boy, but speaking to her virtually every day, shows me that she is just that, my very best friend.

We have a similar outlook on life, albeit that we are a generation apart, and the changes in life between those two generations are vast. She doesn’t always agree with the things I say or do, and will tell me so, but she doesn’t tell me what to do, or how to live my life either.

She has always been there when I have needed support, and that is true for my brothers too. She tells me that I am her golden boy, but I’m sure she says the same to the other two too. She always tries to see both sides of a situation, and puts her point across with wisdom, courage and compassion. We always know where we stand, and we know that she will always stand by us in times of trouble.

So yes, my Mom is my best friend, and I feel very fortunate to be in that position. As someone who has lost her best friend in this lifetime, namely my father, I would like to think that I can, in some small way, reciprocate, and be her best friend now, in his absence.

If it wasn’t for the fact that she is a devout Methodist Christian, she would make a marvellous Buddhist. We talk about the differences between our beliefs, though neither of us would try to impose those beliefs on the other. We both take comfort from the other having a faith on which to base their life. I love you Mom, thank you for always being there, and I hope I can support you in any less happy times as much as you have supported me when I have needed it.

Teacakes And Tenderness

Charlotte's CakesAnother early start and a drive up to Bristol to see Charlotte, Hannah and the rest of the gang this morning. I have to say that I really don’t like these dark mornings, but at least I did get to see a beautiful sunrise as I neared Bath, so a real silver lining to the clouds.

On a day of real highlights, the one that stood out for me, was just how well Charlotte looked and sounded. She’s getting her hair back now too, so by Christmas she hopes she won’t need her headscarf any more. All the boys, Jake, Stanley, Zach and particularly Oliver are growing so fast, and it was wonderful to get a cuddle from each of them.

While Rob, Jake and Zach went to Jake’s football training, Charlotte, Hannah, Oliver and I went to Coffee#1 in Keynsham, where it was reported that the teacakes were as big as your head. The reports were exaggerated, but not by much, they are huge. With a thick layer of real butter and strawberry jam, washed down by a caramel latte of industrial proportions, it was bye-bye to the diet for today.

Charlotte had booked a cake decoration course for the afternoon, so Hannah and I entertained the boys while Rob was working on the latest phase of the extension he’s building. By the time I was ready to set off for home I was pooped. How Charlotte and Rob cope with their three lads, along with all the oncology treatment is beyond me. All in all, a perfect day, so even though I am dog-tired, it was worth every ounce of energy expended.

Be True To Yourself

LoveDaily life can seem all too drab and unexciting. Living itself can sometimes seem a strain, and a few of us unrealistically expect what joy we feel to last forever.

But when we fall in love, life seems filled with drama and excitement. We feel like the leading character in a film or a novel.

Sadly, if you get lost in love, just because you are bored or distracted, and consequently stray from the path you should be following, then love is nothing more than escapism.

Whilst you must always be true to yourself, remember that you must also be responsible for each and every action.

Be The Light Of Their Lives

SunshineThere are so many people, so many lives on this planet, too numerous, in fact, to count.

From this great multitude, we wondrously find ourselves together with those in our families, as parents and children, as brothers and sisters, as husbands and wives.

If we do not live joyfully and cheerfully with whom we share this profound bond, what is life for?

Should the atmosphere at home be sombre, you yourself can be the ‘sunshine’. By being a shining presence, you can cast the light of hope on your mother, father, children and indeed the whole family.

Real Love

heartsA shallow person will only ever have shallow relationships.

Real love is not one person clinging to another, it can only be fostered between two strong people, secure in their individuality.

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, wrote in his work Wind, Sand and Stars, “Love is not two people gazing at each other, but two people looking ahead together in the same direction”

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