hearts and minds

"What we habitually react to is not reality, 

but our take on reality. 

It's within our own hearts and minds 

where our problems are created. 

And it's within our own hearts and minds 

that we can find freedom."

Steve Hagen

the whole world

(Source: FeliciaMarshall; edited by RoseAlma)

"Even if you are the only person in the room, you are anything but isolated. You are sitting on a cushion or chair that someone else made, which is on a floor that other people built. There's the sound of the bird chirping outside. There's the low sunlight dancing on the wall. There's the fresh breeze streaming through the window. There's the whole world right here."

Steve Hagen

"Man on Fire"

Beautiful music for you, from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

A song bursting with genuine joy and love. ♥

enlightened moments

Hello beautiful people. ♥

I would like to start a new series of posts today.
I recently discovered a television series called "Enlightened."
And it shares some beautiful ponderings and truths.
So I will dedicate a post to each episode, and share the love-filled words.

the first:

               "I'm speaking with my true voice now. Without bitterness, or fear.
               And I'm here to tell you, you can walk out of hell, and into the light.
               You can wake up to your higher self.

               And when you do, the world is suddenly full of possibility, of wonder and deep connection.
               You can be patient, and you can be kind. You can be wise, and almost whole.

               You don't have to run away from life your whole life. You can really live.
               You can change. And you can be an agent of change.

               I will not run away from life my whole life. I will try to really live.
               I will be mindful, I will be wise. I will change. And I will be an agent of change."


Change is healthy, change is true.
Let us change, and be agents of change. Together. ♥

name your love

("Blooming heart" original painting by RoseAlma)

Dearest people,
What do you love?

strength

"Strength does not come from physical capacity. 

It comes from an indomitable will."

Mahatma Gandhi

I am here.

I am here, dear readers, even though things have been quieter.

But I have a question for you today...

Where are you? 

In life, in love, in this moment... any of it, all of it. 

Tell me, tell us, tell the universe. 

We care. And love you.

If you choose to share, I thank you.

If not, perhaps another time. ♥

Your darkness is shining.

(Source: LightaCandle, edited by RoseAlma)

"What hurts you, blesses you. 
Darkness is your candle."
Rumi

present thought

"Above all, the only thing 

you have to heal 

is the present thought. 

Get that right and 

the whole picture will change 

into one of harmony and joy."

Eckhart Tolle

Loveful, Thoughtful Friday

We have not been receiving questions or quotes from readers lately. (Which I do encourage anyone and everyone to feel free to participate in. Nothing is too serious or taboo to talk about, and I am always here: we.are.one@inbox.com.) But in this quieter period, even though people may not be speaking up or asking for help, I would like to offer my love and energy. As an expression of my endless love and sincerest appreciation for all of you beautiful souls in the world, I wish to share this lovely poem by one of my favorites, E. E. Cummings. It is for all who read this, and all who may never read my words. I love you.

(Source: EarthandMe, edited by RoseAlma)

I love you much (most beautiful darling)
more than anyone on the earth
and I like you better than everything in the sky.
- sunlight and singing welcome your coming
although winter may be everywhere
with such a silence and such a darkness
no one can quite begin to guess
(except my life) the true time of year -
and if what calls itself a world should have
the luck to hear such singing (or glimpse such
sunlight which will leap higher than high
through gayer than gayest someone's heart at your
each nearness) everyone certainly would
(my most beautiful darling) believe in nothing but love.



It may read as though these beautiful words were meant for one, and you may think me odd for offering them to all souls - surely how can an individual feel such sincere closeness to everyone?
But what you must remember: we are one.

Peace and love, sweet people of the world. ♥

finding strength

(Source: WorldofDiscovery, edited by RoseAlma)

"At that time of darkness, 

can be your greatest hour."

Nathan Wood, Film Entrepreneur

a translation

The following is a translation that I found of the sanskrit word "namaste."
It's explanation is beautiful, full of truth, and perfectly suited to our love-filled community. ♥

(Source: nirvikalpa)

My soul recognizes your soul. I honour the light, love, beauty, truth, and kindness in you because it is also within me. In sharing these things, there is no distance and no difference between us. We are the same, we are one.

Music Monday

The music I bring to you today is quite lengthy. But give it a chance, sweet readers. Even a minute will have you enraptured. The sights and the sounds are harmonizing and beautifully hypnotizing. Experiencing it is almost a small transcendence of the soul. ♥

Everyday is beautiful. Today is beautiful. This moment is beautiful. You are beautiful. I love you, and all that is.

Nothing is too small.

(Source: JoyHey, edited by RoseAlma)

"Do not consider any act 

of kindness insignificant, 

even meeting your brother 

with a cheerful face."

Muhammad, founder of Islam

every part of you

A beautiful expression of love and life. I truly believe in the soul that it sings. ♥

the sanctuary within

This past Thursday, I had a hard decision to make.

I visited doctors three hours away from my home, at Vanderbilt University. I am presently in the process of trying to be double-listed with them for my double-lung transplant. And the doctors announced to me that in order to list with them, the next time (and every time) I am sick, I must come to their hospital and stay under their care. They were hesitant to list me otherwise. But agreeing to this would mean that I would be away from my entire family (except for my sweet mother, the only person free to stay with me for the duration).

Perhaps this wouldn't seem like a huge dilemma for some, as it didn't seem like a large problem to my doctors. But as my dear mother so beautifully explained to my doctors: I am not a religious person per se; I am a spiritual being, and my strength in life comes from family and love. And suddenly, they were saying that I cannot have those things, when I am at my weakest. It was a very difficult decision to make: give up my support system, or give up my new chance for lungs.

I took the hard road and agreed, even with my fear against myself and being alone to face the darkness.
But I think this quote below illustrates quite well the mindset that just may save my spirit, and my life:

"Do not look for a sanctuary in anyone except yourself."

Siddhartha Gautama, Buddha

All that I need to survive already lives within me. All that I need to be happy already lives within me.

And I am never without love. We are never without love.

the universe and you

(Source: OneMansWonder, edited by RoseAlma)

"The universe cherishes your existence."

Deepak Chopra

Music Monday!

Today's music is a sweet tune by the band Whitley. Enjoy. ♥

a beautiful journey

The following is a trailer for a documentary entitled "Big Easy Express."
This film looks like a beautiful expression of love, joy, and life. ♥

Big Easy Express Official Trailer from S2BN Films on Vimeo.

a way back to brightness

"I grew up with more [privileges] than most people and with a lack of a certain kind of suffering that, in some people, signifies true living and experience. So I became self-destructive. But that attitude isn't sustainable, so I found my way back to brightness and more constructive ways to live. Both are reactions to the same thing: death. It's like we're confronted with a [messed-up] world and the refusal to lose hope is the only way to prevail over the pessimism and sarcasm. And from the refusal to lose hope comes the desire to build something else."

Alexander Ebert (1978-), American singer-songwriter
(Image Source: GuyEppel, edited by RoseAlma)