Emotional Resilience—Highest of Arts

Morning is when I am awake and there is a dawn in me… We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does  not forsake us in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look…. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts. — Thoreau, Walden
The greatest discovery of our generation is that human beings, by changing the inner attitude of their minds can change the outer aspects of their lives. — William James
Each of us literally chooses, by his way of attending to things, what sort of universe he shall appear to himself to inhabit. — William James
What sort of day are you creating? What sort of life?

“Experts have found that individuals utilizing the principles of positive psychology can enhance their lives by:

• Accessing strengths that act as buffers against unfavorable circumstances.
• Balancing immediate personal needs with long-term goals.
• Developing a more resilient psychological immune system based on optimism and self esteem.” (from Penn State’s Online Positive Psychology Course Info.)

Don’t go outside your house to see the flowers.

My friend, don’t bother with that excursion.

Inside your body there are flowers.

One flower has a thousand petals.

That will do for a place to sit.

Sitting there you will have a glimpse of beauty

inside the body and out of it,

before gardens and after gardens.

—Kabir

Yes, this being human is full of challenges. Residing within each of however, is an innate wild wisdom, an innate wild resiliency that yearns for a life of our own, that yearns to be of service, that yearns to open our own eyes to the beauty that resides within and without. Go there.