I made the choice to actively participate in my life and my roles in society in a way that honors my peace. I’ve received criticism for choosing to live more peacefully, and I feel those people are misunderstanding “zen” as being passive because I do not use force to encourage change. I offer them no correction to their interpretation because doing so would come off as defending myself or trying to convince them to change their own mindset… and that is not my place.
Daily gratitude has been key, but my basic guidance for being all-zen-and-shit is simple – living intentionally and choosing actions that are fueled by compassion, empathy, kindness, and love – to treat myself well in order to do the same for others.
My hope is more of us can start with kindness to ourselves and let it spread to others.
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading.”
– Lao Tzu
Luceat lux vestra.