Tag: Ralph Waldo Emerson

Peeling Away the Disguise

 

“Every man is a divinity in disguise, a god playing the fool.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Invoke the deity within
behind the mask of human seeming
beyond the face shown each day
Become yourself beyond the judgement
Invoke the will behind the act
revoke the outer tearful clown
and be for the moment ourselves.
— G A Rosenberg

 

We take on so many roles in our life. We are parents, children, employers and employees. We are lovers, friends, neighbours, constituents and more. Our behaviour changes to fit each role and often it may feel as if how we act towards one or more people in our lives does not express who we really our. We are so much more than any of these disguises. If we could peel away those calcified masks we wear we will be amazed at what shines through.
Blessings, G

 

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MasqueMasque by G A Rosenberg

 

Masked RegretMasked Regret by G A Rosenberg

 

Warrior MasqueWarrior Masque by G A Rosenberg

 

No Bad Time

 

“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson.

 

Sometimes life seems to suck. We become disappointed in ourselves or in others. We may flounder spiritually or emotionally and feel lonely or angry without knowing why. We say we are going through a hard time yet is that necessarily true?
In retrospect some of the most difficult periods of my life have been when I have learned the most about who I am and of what I am capable. They have shown me who will stand by me in times of need, who may want to but can’t and who may not even want to know. I have learned during those times that I can trust everyone to some extent but to fully put my trust in myself and in the core of my being. Also, that I may bend but in reality there is very little that will ever break me.
So all times are good times. Either in their enjoyment or their lessons. Of course, some are more enjoyable than others.
 

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AmuletAmulet by G A Rosenberg

 

ChrysalisChrysalis by G A Rosenberg

 

Break the Chains of the Past

 

“Be not the slave of your own past – plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with new self-respect, with new power, and with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

We’ve all made mistakes in our past. We’ve done things we wish we hadn’t or let people use us and didn’t feel good about it afterwards. Yes, I say let them because we always have a choice in the matter and most often even if we deny it on some level we knew what we were doing and were complicit. Yet do we refuse to trust again or refuse to act again because of our past or do we take the plunge and move on. To me, letting our wounds stop us from taking more chances is akin to not learning from our past in the first place. We need to take our past and let it inform us, not control us. This world is amazing with new chances to act and do and see things we never have before coming several times every day. We need to take these chances and say yes… that is the only way to release our chains.
Blessings, G

 

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Looking Out through the GreenLooking Out Through the Green by G A Rosenberg

 

Space Warp AbstractionSpace Warp Abstraction by G A Rosenberg

The Present Begins Now

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Leaving the past in the past each day has been a tough but worthwhile lesson to learn. How easy it seems to let past failures even minor ones build up and bring us down. Realistically we can’t change the past. As I have said many times each moment is the gateway to possibility and despite anything we’ve done up to now, we can only get better. Why does it seem so difficult to jump through this gateway? Is yesterday a quicksand mire holding us to it? Only if we let it, only if we struggle to hold on. No matter how I’ve been in the past. No matter what my weaknesses have been, in this moment I can be the person I wish to be. String enough of these triumphant expressive present moments together and we may actually find that we’ve built beings to be proud of.
Blessings, G

 

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The Storm PersonifiedThe Storm Personified by G A Rosenberg

 

Fireball 2Fireball 2 by G A Rosenberg

Common Miracles

 

“The invariable mark of wisdom is to see the miraculous in the common.”
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

 ;

I have a friend who talks every month of his long walks talking with the full moon. He speaks of his relationship with Mother Luna. The first time he spoke of this I was taken a bit aback until my mind shifted a bit and I realized how cool it was. Since then I have built my relationship with as many parts of nature I can. When I walk the dogs I feel the breeze or the rain with every inch of skin I can and embrace it. I too have listened to the moon’s wisdom and to what the rain could teach me. I have always felt the ocean gives me calm and direction when I sit by her. I have found my world lit up by a baby’s smile and by the touch of my partner. These simple miracles of which I have only listed a few here keep enriching my life and my spirit. What common miracles do this for you?
Blessings, G

 

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TrystTryst by G A Rosenberg

 

Purple NetPurple Net by G A Rosenberg

Leave a Trail

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

I am busking for knowledge
outside your door.
Just begging for wisdom
on the corner.
Please throw something my way.
Something learned and passed away
I’m starving here so give me some idea.

 

As I said before, in reality no two of us walk exactly the same path. Oh we may try. We try to emulate our parents or someone else successful who has impressed us. We can do what they did, follow their family pattern and career and study paths but it won’t be the same. The world has moved on since our idols transversed it and dust has obscured their way. That’s not a negative thing. Because no matter how hard we try to follow in someone else’s footsteps or even do the ‘normal’ path, it won’t work. A) Normal doesn’t really exist except on washing machines and demographics and B) We’re not anyone else. We’re unique and even choosing to follow someone else is NOT what the people we are trying to follow has done. They blazed their own.
Seriously tho, trying to be anyone but our true selves will almost always end badly. When I was younger, I tried to imitate the thought patterns and lifestyle of every friend I respected. Amazing how many friendships I lost that way as I found out that most people don’t live up to their own ideals. These days I would rather be who I am with all my good points and bad than be a miserable replica of anyone else. Funny how that decision has led to a great deal more self-respect and how much more I’ve been able to grow.
Blessings, G

 

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The Scrying GameThe Scrying Game by G A Rosenberg

 

Scaled MandalaScaled by G A Rosenberg

Quote of the Day – October 12 2012

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

Grateful for both the good and the bad times. Both have their lessons to teach. Every relationship we are in will have both kinds of lessons as a new chemical interpersonal  alchemy happens. Two or more egos and spirits combining , always some rough areas and that’s where we learn the most.
What is each moment but a new relationship.  I suppose that is as good a definition of the word mindful as that I’ve ever heard. One’s relationship with each instance, each ever present now, feeling gratitude for each lesson learned and each challenge met.
Blessings, G

 

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What Else Is There to Teach Him? by G A Rosenberg

 

Aquamarine by G A Rosenberg

Quote of the Day – March 7 2012

A man’s growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends.
–Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have two friends who live here in the UK who I’ve known for three years. I and them have seen each other go through many changes. Last year I felt privileged to attend their wedding. Tonight I got to meet them for the first time. I love the ways the internet has added to my life. Discovering friends and loved ones who share common interests and developing friendships that in many cases are deeper than any I’ve built where I live. Not to mention the fact that without the net my partner and I would never have developed the relationship that we have and Zev would have had a very different life.

Lucas, Claire and Myself