Choose Equanimity

Equanimity (or composure) is the state of being calm, balanced,
and in control of one's emotions, even under stress or in the midst of difficulty.

Affirmation:
I choose to respond to life's provocations,
not with anger, resentment, or regret,
but with equanimity and a focus on positive action.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

I know, to banish anger altogether
from one's breast is a difficult task.
It cannot be achieved through pure personal effort.
It can be done only by God's grace.
- Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi

Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity
opinions which differ from
the prejudices of their social environment.
Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
- Albert Einstein

Without accepting the fact that everything changes,
we cannot find perfect composure.
But unfortunately, although it is true,
it is difficult for us to accept it.
Because we cannot accept the truth of transience,
we suffer.
- Shunryu Suzuki

Further reading: Complaining Creates Unhappiness

Stillness

Ancient Wisdom about Uncertain Times

Restraint

Stay Positive
     

Deal with Problems Joyfully

Happiness is not the absence of problems,
but the willingness to deal with them joyfully.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Take control of your consistent emotions
and begin to consciously and deliberately
reshape your daily experience of life.
- Tony Robbins

If I feel depressed I will sing.
If I feel sad I will laugh.
If I feel ill I will double my labor.
If I feel fear I will plunge ahead.
If I feel inferior I will wear new garments.
If I feel uncertain I will raise my voice.
If I feel poverty I will think of wealth to come.
If I feel incompetent I will think of past success.
If I feel insignificant I will remember my goals.
Today I will be the master of my emotions.
- Og Mandino

Further reading: Release the Struggle

Serenity in Times of Crisis

The Storm of Life
     

Believe You Can

Those who believe they can do something
and those who believe they can't
are both right.
- Henry Ford
[As always, quotes are selected for the text of the quote, rather than the lives of those quoted.]

The most difficult thing is the decision to act,
the rest is merely tenacity.
The fears are paper tigers.
You can do anything you decide to do.
You can act to change and control your life;
and the procedure, the process is its own reward.
- Amelia Earhart

The only way to discover the limits of the possible
is to go beyond them into the impossible.
- Arthur C. Clarke

Whether the challenge is reaching the moon, sailing around the world, hitting a home run, acing a job interview, or walking again after a stroke, we can usually accomplish what we believe we can. But once we doubt ourselves, success slips beyond our grasp.

Today's affirmation:
I believe in myself.
I am unstoppable.

Further reading: Power of Thought

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing
     

Set Your Own Fine and Honorable Example

The key to success, and to happiness,
is being fully engaged in life -
leading yourself with inspiration and committed action -
setting your own fine and honorable example.

- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Success is not the key to happiness.

Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.
- Albert Schweitzer

Success is getting and achieving what you want.
Happiness is wanting and being content with what you get.
- Bernard Meltzer

"Success" isn't about money or fame.
Success is living a life you feel proud of.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Further reading: Doing Your Best

Wanting is Not Enough

Small Pleasures

Childlike Wonder
    

September 11th 2020 - Mutual Trust and Respect

This world of ours... must avoid becoming
a community of dreadful fear and hate,
and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect.
- Dwight D. Eisenhower

We must build dikes of courage
to hold back the flood of fear.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself
the means of inspiration and survival.
- Winston Churchill

Fear defeats more people than
any other one thing in the world.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

A life lived in fear is a life half lived.

- Anonymous

Courage doesn't always roar.
Sometimes courage is the quiet voice
at the end of the day saying,
"I will try again tomorrow."
- Mary Anne Radmacher

Photo was taken in the aftermath of 9/11 2001 in New York City

Further reading: Draw from Suffering

Gather Strength

Hard Times

To Overcome Fear