lara simmons

"Opening to the world begins to benefit ourselves and others simultaneously. The more we relate with others, the more quickly we discover where we’re blocked. Seeing this is helpful, but it’s also painful. Sometimes we use it as ammunition against ourselves: we aren’t kind, we aren’t honest, we aren’t brave, and we might as well give up right now. But when we apply the instruction to be soft and nonjudgmental to whatever we see at this very moment, the embarrassing reflection in the mirror becomes our friend. We soften further and lighten up more, because we know it’s the only way we can continue to work with others and be of any benefit in the world. This is the beginning of growing up." -- Pema Chodron "Fucked up people will try to tell you otherwise, but boundaries have nothing to do with whether you love someone or not. They are not judgments, punishments, or betrayals. They are a purely peaceable thing: the basic principles you identify for yourself that define t...

"...[C]ultivate an understanding of a bunch of....things that the best, sanest people on the planet know: that life is long, that people both change and remain the same, that every last one of us will need to...be forgiven..." –Cheryl Strayed

"Love is our essential nutrient. Without it, life has little meaning. It's the best thing we have to give and the most valuable thing we receive. It's worthy of all the hullabaloo." -- Cheryl Strayed from her book Tiny Beautiful Things I love this idea, that love is our essential nutrient. It implies that, like vitamins, we can do something about increasing our intake. We don't just wait around for the Universe to send food from the sky like in Cloudy, with a chance of Meatballs , we go out and get what our bodies need. And our bodies tell us, in the form of cravings, what nutrients it needs. So do our hearts if we listen. What does your heart need today? What essential nutrients are missing? Maybe some quiet alone time? Maybe a night out with your sweetie? Maybe a massage or other body work? Maybe some chocolate??? Whatever love you need, whether you need to give it or receive it, make the time to do it today. It's essential.

"The reality is we often become our kindest, most ethical selves only by seeing what it feels like to be a selfish jackass first."   -- Cheryl Strayed from her book " Tiny, Beautiful Things "