“If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Rest In Peace, RIP,  what was commonly put on gravestones, seems like a strange title for a blog post! However we should not be waiting till we die to rest in peace, we can do it now.

I listened to the story of a friend from Ghana today – last year his mother died in his arms. His story is amazing because she left him alone when he was 8 and he had a successful business by the time he was 11.

What was even more inspirational was the fact that he is so willing to share what he has with anyone in need, and as a result he has attracted the love of his life, and he glows with that love. He has the peace of knowing he is loved and attractive because of his compassion and care.

We all need the comfort of knowing we are loved.

“Never apologize for showing feelings. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.” ~Benjamin Disraeli”

So what are you feeling when you rest?

This is what I experienced in my back yard yesterday afternoon…

“All is quiet

Except for the occasional barking of a dog down the road,

Some beautiful bird song filtering from the ash trees

And in the distance, constant traffic noise.

I am wrestling with time.

I am waiting for something.

For time to pass.

I wrestle with wasting time, even a moment.

Yet here I am, waiting for time to pass, contemplating.

Why can’t I just breathe?

I take a yoga pose.

I breathe.

I can.

Time and self merge.

Without time there is no death, just existence.

On the edge of nothingness

Right now

Is this a sort of death?”

The world is not a calm, peaceful place. If we are fearful, how do we rest? Are you resting in peace?

Consider again this quote: “If we are not fully ourselves, truly in the present moment, we miss everything.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

Fully ourselves? What does that mean?

Experience is what enriches our lives.

Experience is what is happening now. Do you approve of yourself? Do you believe that the Universal Spirit of Love approves of you? If you accept that you have within you this approval, this spirit of love, then you can approve of yourself. And once you are overflowing with love, then you can reach out to others.

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.” –Mark Twain

“Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here.” -Marianne Williamson
Let us not look back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness.” -James Thurber

Ludwig Feuerbach, a pioneer thinker of the modern era,  was optimistic about life:
“Once human beings grasp their potential, they will have untold power to release the world from the forces of sin and fear”

I don’t agree with Ludwig that of themselves humans have power.  Human potential is only released when it connects with the spirit of love. Rest right now, breathe in the knowledge that Love’s spirit is a diamond within each one of us, and drawing on that spirit is how our higher self achieves the rest of peace and contentment.

“Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” -H. Jackson Browne

Take the risk, believe you are loved, then you too can rest, in peace.