Once it becomes clear that someone we thought would take care of us will not, it should also become clear that we must start taking care of ourselves. It is important, however, that we do this without the bitterness, resentment, or fear that we will naturally be inclined to have when we are disappointed, frustrated,…
Author: Robert Van Valkenburgh
Co-Founder of Kogen Dojo of Severna Park and Taikyoku Mind & Body
Looking Forward Softly
It is important to have ideals, to set high standards for ourselves. However, it is also important to understand that we will fall short of whatever ideals and standards we have. No one is perfect and life is complicated. We must be adaptable. This does not mean that we should easily accept moral compromises within…
Honesty Up Front
When there are things we know we should do or are told we are supposed to do, but know we are simply not going to do, it is important to be honest with ourselves and others. There is no point in deceiving ourselves or those around us by saying that we are going to do…
Allowing Life
Things will not always go how we hoped they would or planned for them to go. In fact, maybe most of the time things will go differently than we wished or assumed they would. This is simply part of the path. We cannot control every detail, variable, and circumstance so that all of life conforms…
Joy Does Not Seek Us Out
There is simply no way for us to experience all of the joy that life has to offer without also opening ourselves up to pain. Our hearts cannot be receptive to the good without also being vulnerable to the bad. If we want to protect ourselves from being hurt, from being let down, disappointed, and…