The importance of words.
The balance of openness and self-protection.
What are your intentions? How do you cultivate them?
The importance of follow through.
The nature of beginnings, of endings. The work of the middle.
How do you deal with negative influences? People, places, ideas, for example?
Can you recognize them? How?
Do you pretend they are that which they are not, lying to yourself?
Why?
Do you feel a sense of democracy and allow them into your life?
Do you feel a sense of self-preservation and do not–do you shelter and protect self instead?
Do you prize them above positive influences, and thus prize self-destruction as well?
Why?
What does that mean?
The importance of enjoying the journey.
The balance of kindness, openness, and intelligence.
“Feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.” –Pema Chodron
The nature and necessity of self-protection.
