Motivation Mondays: THE JOURNEY – #YearOfThanks

“Always look for what is good in you. Concentrate all of your attention on this part of yourself, show it in the full light of day, and transform depression into the joy of being.” Rabbi Nachman of Breslov

Motivation Mondays: THE JOURNEY – #YearOfThanks

Between the world of spirit and the world of matter, there is a pathway that we tread as though half asleep. Kahlil Gibran
A person must break with the illusion that his life has already been written and his path already determined. Marc-Alain Ouaknin

What are You Thankful for on Your Journey this year? What does the journey look like and mean to you? The Journey I mention here is the journey of life that keeps us motivated to achieve our dreams and goals, to change directions when needed, and to do the soul work that is necessary for our individual growth. I look back on the year that is ending and I am grateful for the journey. It has been a year of trials, challenges, successes and much grace. I am thankful for my family, my online and offline friends, my blogging teams and all who have helped me along the way. I know that my heart is full and richer for all the good and the struggles that knocked on my door and stopped on my doorstep.

A little over a year ago, in November 2014, I started my weekly Motivation Monday series on the gentle prompting of the wise team leaders on our Daily Post Group. Something they said made me take the leap, fearlessly face a fantasy I held close to my heart, and create the Motivation Monday series. Once I created the page and the initial content, I wrote my first post about CHANGE. Change can take us in many directions both good and difficult but, the lessons learned are always uplifting and for our growth. This is a year of tremendous thanks for me and I hope for all of you; especially for anyone who faced some of life’s disappointments and setbacks in 2015. Ironically, as I look back now, I see that those setbacks offered a doorway to something better and less stressful. Every life event offers a time to learn.

A Story: Time To Learn
A young but earnest Zen student approached his teacher, and asked the Zen Master:
“If I work very hard and diligent how long will it take for me to find Zen.”
The Master thought about this, then replied, “Ten years.”
The student then said, “But what if I work very, very hard and really apply myself to learn fast — How long then?”
Replied the Master, “Well, twenty years.”
“But, if I really, really work at it. How long then?” asked the student.
“Thirty years,” replied the Master.
“But, I do not understand,” said the disappointed student. “At each time that I say I will work harder, you say it will take me longer. Why do you say that?”
Replied the Master,” When you have one eye on the goal, you only have one eye on the path.” Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn / ZenStory Rider.edu

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Confucius

Motivation Mondays: THE JOURNEY – #YearOfThanks

Motivation Mondays: THE JOURNEY – #YearOfThanks

Never ask directions from someone who knows the way or you will never be able to get lost. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov
I was taught that the way of progress is neither swift nor easy. Marie Curie
Where a part of you goes, the rest of you will follow—given time. You call yourself a teacher: Therefore learn. Rabia
The world is magic when your eyes are open to the love and beauty inherent in every moment. All becomes clear… Sophie Morris

When I was in Middle School/High School, we studied many of Shakespeare’s plays and had to memorize portions of some for class re-enactments and tests, and the one below was one of my favorites. On this journey we call life, we are all actors playing roles that begin at birth and follow us through the seven stages of our lives.  As Shakespeare aptly describes in the Scene below, we have our beginnings, our entrances and our exits, and each is peopled with characters and events the shape who we become. As we journey through those stages, we acquire knowledge and lessons that propel us in one direction or the other and, hopefully, our actions are motivated by our desire to add value to the world… In our final years, we revert back to the dependencies of infant-hood and, if we’ve been diligent in our life’s work, we have the goodwill of loved ones and caring strangers to see us through to the end of life….

For everything there is a season, and we get to choose how we will add to the portion assigned to us. We can choose to change for the better or wallow in darkness … it is a choice! My wish for everyone is that we do everything possible to step into the light, follow our dreams, and contribute good to the world. Our planet deserves it. If there is something that I grasped deeply this year, it is to stay grateful for what is and let the minutiae go. We fight over nonsense when we could be feeding the hungry and helping make life even a little bit comfortable for others. Despite what some might lead us to believe, it is our actions of great goodwill in the here and now that carry much gravitas. All the underhanded, devious, petty-minded crap won’t give us a pass anywhere; here, there or wherever we believe Nirvana exists. Do your best work here and NOW.

All The World’s A Stage By William Shakespeare
As You Like It, Act II, Scene VII via poets.org
All the world’s a stage
And all the men and women merely players,
They have their exits and entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse’s arms.
Then, the whining schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Made to his mistress’ eyebrow.
Then a soldier
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon’s mouth. And then the justice
In fair round belly, with good capon lin’d,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper’d pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side,
His youthful hose well sav’d, a world too wide,
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again towards childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

The details for Motivation Mondays are below. Join in! The themes for November and December are:

11/02 – LEGACY/REMEMBRANCE – All Souls/All Saints Day (11/1)
11/09 – HONORING VETERANS – Veteran’s Day (11/11) &
11/16 –  HONORING ALL/OUR CHILDREN – Universal Children’s Day/World Children’s Day (11/20) & Great American Smokeout Day (11/19)
11/23 – GIVING THANKS – Thanksgiving Day! (11/26)
11/30 – REVISIT KINDNESS – World Kindness Day (11/13)

12/07  – GIVING SEASON – 6th Chanukah for 8 days, 7th International Civil Aviation Day, Letter Writing Day, National Cotton Candy Day, Pearl Harbor Day,  On this day in 1877 Thomas Edison shows off his new invention, the phonograph
12/14 – AWARENESS –  Poinsettia Day,  International Children’s Day (12/12,13 & 12/15),  Bill of Rights Day, Honoring B.K.S. Iyengar’s Memory and 97th Birthday
12/21 –  HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Winter Solstice (shortest day of the year),  Festivus!, Christmas, Kwanzaa (12/21, 12/23, 12/25, 12/26 -o1/01)
12/28 – THE JOURNEY –  National Fruitcake Day,  Boxing Day,  New Year’s Eve (12/27, 28 & 31)

More Below!

“May your soul be happy; journey joyfully.” Rumi

Motivation Mondays: THE JOURNEY – #YearOfThanks

Motivation Mondays: THE JOURNEY – #YearOfThanks

You are the way and the wayfarers. And when one of you falls down he falls for those behind him, a caution against the stumbling stone. Aye, and he falls for those ahead of him, who, though faster and surer of foot, yet removed not the stumbling stone. Kahlil Gibran
Truth is not what the tongue articulates. If you want to know what it is, listen as it comes to you, in waves, from the depths of your being. For it is from this inner necessity that the vision is born. Faouzi Skali 20th-21st century

The Daily Prompt today asked: How would your life be different if you were incapable of feeling fear? Would your life be better or worse than it is now? Not so long ago, I was reading a blog post and when it was time to comment, my response was this: I look back at my 16 year old self and wish I had more of her vim today. I look back at my 22 year old self and applaud her courage and dreams and joie de vivre. Some of us live life backwards, and some measure our steps with each year. I wish you loads of experiences on your journey. I have few regrets! I think those sentiments remain strong as I sign off on this last Motivation Monday for 2015. I’m at peace with where my life is going and fear is absent or comes as a cheerful companion sometimes… We will start a new series in 2015 and, while I plan to blog less and write more offline, I look forward to continuing this new chapter in my blog life. Again, Thank You for your love and support! I wish you all that you wish for yourself; I pray that it is both for your growth and for the good of the world. Happy New Year! Come back later for another little story…

Positive Motivation Tip:  Happy Holidays! Enjoy the journey of life by spreading goodwill and sharing your largess with loved ones and those in need.

Motivation Mondays is open to anyone who wishes to share a motivational quote, photo, personal challenge or a post that encourages others to start the week on an upbeat note.
Basic Instructions: Each week, I will have a motivation word to help us create a response. (See listed words for the months above/below)
Email address: You may email or share your post as a comment and I will add it to the round-up of related posts. email it to: contact(@)mirthandmotivation(.)com
Category tag: – Share your post using Motivation Mondays
Twitter hashtag: – Use this on Twitter #MotvnM
Dedicated Page: There is a dedicated page for Motivation Mondays. It has the same instructions and will include other helpful tools and a link to the round-up
Facebook Page: MotivationOnMondays Join our page and add your post and/or any motivational piece you think will be helpful to others.
Facebook Community: We have a Facebook community forum to compliment the page. It serves as another way to share uplifting posts and thoughts. Please join in and add your voice.

Badge: – I created a fun badge using PicMonkey’s free photo editing tools. You can create your own, use WordPress’ integrated tool on your blog or you are welcome to use mine. (see dedicated page)
Tag: – Motivation Mondays
Hashtag: – #MotvnM

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PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: Stories via Zen Stories on Goodweb.cn   Quotes via  All Photos: From my Personal Collection,  and/or  Nilgiri Mountain Train, El viaxeru. D’Eduardo Úrcul, Highway 401, Patagonia Cycling, Lake Mohonk at Mohonk Mountain House 1, 11, 111, Franconia Ridge, Mount Wachusetts, Claife Station, via Wikipedia

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet