This is a beautiful way to lead…
…a lovely way to live…
…and a humble way to keep curios.
Ashton.Gustafson
Pause by the orchid. Listen to the bluebird sing. Be love.
Category Archives: Discipline
Another > Other
The dualistic mind loves to divide, separate, label, and categorize everything and everyone. It’s a constant tug of war between good/bad, up/down, left/right, in/out, win/lose, & us/them. As long as ‘other’ is in dialogue, the dualistic mind is at peace. Or so it thinks.
However, the soul only knows things in their entirety, embraces beauty as a whole, and is most at home in states of harmony and communion. Somehow it knows there’s a oneness with fire and rain, winter and spring, noise and music, and even with the separation of individual solitudes.
What if we all weren’t something ‘other’ to be labeled, but we each were ‘another’ form of love?
What if that were true?
What if that was a question you asked often?
Surely, we would enjoy more than we would critique, we would engage more than we would isolate, and we would rest in our individual and unique beings more than we would boast about our momentary doings.
So today…
As you jog by the stranger…see them as another form.
As you hold the door for one with their hands full…enjoy them as another form.
As you are waited on…learn from another form.
As you are cut off in traffic…forgive another form.
As you are misunderstood….love another, misunderstood, form.
And as you do what you do from the depth of who you are be another form of the great Love that is the engine to our universe.
Contentment
You’ll never know what you were missing until you can truly sit in, hold, and know the humble experience of being content.
Everything else is an illusion until this becomes a reality.
Podcast 23: A Conversation with Parker J. Palmer
Parker J. Palmer, founder and Senior Partner of the Center for Courage & Renewal, is a world-renowned writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He has reached millions worldwide through his nine books, including Let Your Life Speak, The Courage to Teach, A Hidden Wholeness, and Healing the Heart of Democracy.
Palmer joins us in Episode 23 with lovely conversation and journey into the ‘mobius strip’, the beauty found in paradox, community, solitude, and living an undivided life.
The Mobius Strip
His work has richly illuminated my life and I’m certain this conversation will do the same for you.
You can find more information on Parker and the Center for Courage and Renewal by clicking here and all of his books can be found at Amazon by clicking here.
This episode is available for download and streaming in iTunes as well as AshtonGustafson.com.
Lastly, please remember to share this with those you love and those you lead.
There’s a reason we say that.
‘Customer’ came to us from the word custom. This screams one size doesn’t fit all.
‘Human’ has its origins in the word humus. Roots, dirt, and earth are the revolving themes here.
‘Inspiration’ contains two words: in and Spirit.
I hope this gives a little glow to your next customer, human, and inspirational experiences.
Ashton.Gustafson 