Welcome back to this weekly (as opposed to weakly) attempt to “Occupy the Blog-o-Sphere” each Thursday. I offer this hopefully uplifting message to brighten your day and bring something buoyant into your life. As you move through your day with a renewed, more light-hearted outlook, may you pass the good vibes along.

Well, I suppose being kind to yourself can be something like taking yourself on a cruise...

Well, I suppose being kind to yourself can be something like taking yourself on a cruise just for the heck of it…

“Learning how to be kind to ourselves is important. When we look into our own hearts and begin to discover what is confused and what is brilliant, what is bitter and what is sweet, it isn’t just ourselves that we’re discovering. We’re discovering the universe. We discover that everything is awake, and everyone is awake. Everything and everyone is precious and whole and good. When we regard thoughts and emotions with humor and openness, that’s how we perceive the universe.”

Pema Chodron, Buddhist nun, from her book, Comfortable With Uncertainty

There are a lot of misconceptions about Buddhism. Originally I thought being a Buddhist mean giving up all of my material possessions. I suppose some Buddhists do that, but you don’t have to–just not clinging to them for your happiness is the point.

Don't you even think about taking my dollies away from me. They make me happy and someday they are going to be worth lots of money on eBay.

Don’t you even think about taking my dollies away from me. They make me happy and someday they are going to be worth lots of money on eBay.

When I started really studying Buddhism, I got confused. There were Sanskrit terms that I could never remember the meanings of and lists upon lists of paths, virtues, hindrances, etc. It all seemed so complicated. All I was seeking was a simple formula to find a more peaceful, less painful way of living.

And this is supposed to be helpful.

And this is supposed to be helpful.

Putting all the foreign terms and lists aside, Buddhism is actually quite simple: Be present for each moment, notice the choices we make in each moment rather than judge them, accept the ever-changing nature of life, make the best use of each moment by being open to all possibilities, have a sense of humor, and live with kindness as your guiding principle.

Oh! Now it makes so much more sense. All I needed was seeing it with a different set of eyes.

Oh! Now it makes so much more sense. All I needed was seeing it with a different set of eyes.

None of these things are easy all or even some of the time, but they are worth the effort. And none of these principles are in conflict with any established religious belief system, at least none that I’m aware of.

It’s not just a new year; it’s a new day…a new moment.

We have a choice about how to live it. Now. No lines, no waiting.

"What are we waiting for?""I don't know. I just saw a line and thought it must be something good."

“What are we waiting for?”
“I don’t know. I just saw a line and thought it must be something good.”
“It better be.”

Click on this link to find out more about joining Soul Dipper’s cyber-movement to lighten up and brighten up our world so you can decide if you want to be part of it.