Theme – Maintaining balance between receiving and giving.

My dad would often say that in order for a relationship to work, both people had to pull equally together. It was like two oxen pulling a heavy cart. If one was doing all the work and the other being lazy, the cart would go in circles. Both need to pull their weight.

The Story of the Dead Sea

In Israel there are two major bodies of water. One is the Sea of Galilee, a beautiful lake 13 miles long and 7 miles wide, filled with fish and surrounded by lush foliage. It is Israel’s largest fresh water lake and absolutely picturesque. The other body of water is the Dead Sea, 50 miles long and 11 miles wide and its shoreline is 1300 feet below sea level.

I have been told that seven million tons of water evaporate from the Dead Sea every day, and the saline or salt content of the water of the Dead Sea is 10 times saltier than the oceans of the world. The Dead Sea lives up to its name. No seaweed, plants, fish or any living thing of any kind live in or around or near the water. Fish accidentally swimming into the waters from one of the several freshwater streams that feed the Dead Sea are quickly killed by the toxic level of salt.

Both the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea are fed by the Jordan River. There is really only one difference between these two bodies of water, really only one thing that causes the Sea of Galilee to be beautiful and alive while the Dead Sea is barren and lifeless.

The difference is that the Sea of Galilee takes water from the Jordan River, and then it gives water back to the river. The water simply passes through the Sea of Galilee. As a result, the Sea of Galilee is full of life and beauty. The Dead Sea, on the other hand, only takes water, but it gives nothing back, and as a result it sustains no life. Those two bodies of water bear witness to a truth of human life. It is in receiving and then giving back that life and hope are sustained. In other words, The Sea of Galilee is a conduit, The Dead Sea is a container. The first is full of life, the second is full of death!

The same is true in our spiritual life. If you and I have spiritual input but no spiritual output, we will become stagnant, lifeless, bitter, and caustic. However, if we like the Sea of Galilee are receiving and giving back, we become vibrant, healthy and life-giving. This is the wisdom and reality of Jesus’ words, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.“

Healthy Relationships

“to be in any sort of relationship where you do not express yourself, simply to keep the peace, is a relationship ruled by one person and will never be balanced or healthy.”

“Respect, trust and kindness are the ingredients of a good relationship”

“A healthy relationship is one where you can’t wait to see that person. You love to be around that person. You can’t get enough of that person. You’re at your best when you’re with that person.” – Germany Kent

“If a person has made it into the inner sanctuary of the heart, where few enter, then I feel they are entitled to life membership which means they will always be loved. At the same time, the relationship, itself, is not entitled to life membership. It must be earned on both sides. A good relationship is a privilege; not an entitlement. One has to prove that one is worthy of the great benefits that come from a truly alive and real partnership.” – Donna Goddard, Love’s Longing

“I have to remember it is not love that has hurt me; but someone who could not love me in the right way.” – R. YS Perez

“We must not judge those whose shoes we are unable to walk in ourselves. Every human has an intuitive, guidance that is often clear to them but not to others” – Ashta-Deb

“If a house is built on an unstable foundation, cracks will begin to form as the house feels itself settling. Build a strong foundation and do not settle. The relationship we have with ourselves sets the foundation for every other relationship we have.” – David Scott

General Yoga

“Inhale, and God approaches you. Hold the inhalation, and God remains with you. Exhale, and you approach God. Hold the exhalation, and surrender to God.” – Krishnamacharya

The body follows the mind and the mind follows the breath.

“When the breath control is correct, mind control is possible.” – Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois

There is only one reality, but there are many ways that reality can be interpreted.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

“The hardness of a diamond is part of its usefulness, but its true value is in the light that shines through it.” – B.K.S. Iyengar

I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love. ― Gandhi

The major characteristic of love is the absence of conflict. When conflict is born and increases daily, true love gradually diminishes. Where conflict finds fault, love sees virtue. When love increases daily, its flower blossoms fully, spreading its sweet fragrance everywhere. ― Swami Kripalu

Understanding someone’s suffering is the best gift you can give another person. Understanding is love’s other name. If you don’t understand, you can’t love. ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Bodhichitta is a Sanskrit word that means “noble or awakened heart.” It is said to be present in all beings. Just as butter is inherent in milk and oil is inherent in a sesame seed, this soft spot is inherent in you and me. It is said that in difficult times, it is only bodhichitta that heals. When inspiration has become hidden, when we feel ready to give up, this is the time when healing can be found in the tenderness of the pain itself. ― Pema Chodron

“Don’t move the way fear makes you move. Move the way love makes you move. Move the way joy makes you move.” – Osho

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

A beautiful face will age and a perfect body will change, but a beautiful soul will always be a beautiful soul.

If you focus on hurt you will continue to suffer. If you focus on the lesson, you will continue to grow.

When you can’t control what’s happening, challenge yourself to control the way you respond to what’s happening. That is where your power is.

Sometimes things that hurt you most, teach you the greatest lesson in life.

Learn to sit back and observe. Not everything needs a reaction.

Never reply when you are angry. Never make a promise when you are happy. Never make a decision when you are sad.