Author: Susan Schulte

“Live simply so others may simply live.”

This quote is by Mother Teresa, a person who gave of herself as an individual and through the charitable organizations she founded that have assisted and continue to assist people who are experiencing some of life’s most difficult situations, including poverty and end-of-life illness.  I have written several posts in the past based on Mother Teresa’s quotes.  I appreciate her selflessness, for she prioritized caring for others.  I also appreciate her emphasis on the fact that whatever each of us does that contributes to that which is positive in this world does make a difference.

I don’t know the context of Mother Teresa’s words “Live simply so others may simply live” at the time she said or wrote them.  However, one possibility is that her words were directed toward those of us who have the means to help others and therefore should do so.  We who have a home, sufficient food, a steady income, and whose basic material needs are met should be generous to others rather than just adding to our own belongings and comforts.  There are many people in our world who do not have a home, sufficient food, or a means of earning money, and many others whose shelter is in unsafe areas and who, although employed, have low-paying jobs.  By our choosing to live more simply, we are able to share the blessings we’ve been given and by doing so to help others to have better life situations. There are many nonprofit organizations and church outreach programs to which we can contribute financially.  We can also help in other ways, such as by volunteering at such programs.

Mother Teresa’s words can apply to other areas of concern as well.  They cause me to think about doing our part to decrease global warming.  We who live in wealthier countries cause more global warming than do the people who live in poorer countries.  But many of the harmful weather events caused by climate change happen more often in the poorer countries, including causing drought so that crops cannot be grown to feed the people there.  Our choosing to live more simply by reducing our carbon footprint helps people in poorer countries to have an improved quality of life.

When I think about letting others “simply live,” another idea comes to mind.  We can help people simply live by not judging them, by not repeating negative things that we have heard about someone, and by not thinking of ourselves as being better than other people.  Careless words and actions cause harm to others, including stress and sadness, decreasing their being able to simply live.

So I encourage all of us to think about the ways we can help others by choosing to live more simply.  And then to take the steps and make the changes to do so.

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because God loves us.”

This quote is by C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity.  Lewis was an English author and university instructor who lived from 1898 to 1963.  He is well known for both his fiction and nonfiction works.  Most of his nonfiction books are about various aspects of Christianity and faith, and I’ve found them to be very insightful.

Lewis’ quote is a reminder to us to have humility and to embrace our Creator’s love for us.

We are humble when we acknowledge the truth that we are dependent upon our Creator for any of the things we do in the ways our Creator wants us to—in other words, doing those things that make up our goodness.  Having genuine humility helps us to avoid being egocentric, such as by thinking that somehow we do the right things without the help of our Creator.  Remembering that we are dependent on God working within us by guiding us, helping us to see our faults, giving us abilities and direction about how to use those abilities, and in many other ways is essential to our being good.

Human goodness encompasses many qualities:  compassion, selflessness, empathy, sharing of one’s time and abilities, patience, and more.  To the extent we have any degree of these qualities, they are gifts from the Divine.  And, as Lewis says, they are given to us because our Creator loves us.

“The kingdom involves the realization of our personalities according to the inner plan established within us by God; hence, the unfolding of a Self that predates and transcends the ego.”

This quote is by John A. Sanford from his book The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning of Jesus’ Sayings.  Dr. Sanford was a Jungian analyst, an Episcopal priest, a speaker, and the author of several books.  I encourage you to read The Kingdom Within as well as any of the other books he wrote.

One of the reasons I am drawn to Jungian psychology is that many of its concepts correspond to religious teachings and spirituality.  And one of the reasons I think so highly of Dr. Sanford was his ability to clearly write about that interrelationship.

In many of my posts I refer to our inner voice, and I encourage all of us to try to discern its guidance as we travel our life journeys.  Sanford’s words “according to the inner plan established within us by God” cause me to reflect upon how our Creator cares for each one of us, made each of us a unique creation, and gives us guidance.  Sanford saying the inner plan is an “unfolding” expresses that it is a process that continues throughout our lifetime.  And his words “predates and transcends the ego” emphasize that our Creator’s plan for us comes from a source greater than our ego.

The main purpose of the ego is to carry out the guidance we’re given from within. That’s a very important purpose.  Making choices, expressing ourselves, and doing actions based on that which we discern gives to our lives a sense of meaning that is not present otherwise.  Many people who do not have a sense of purpose or meaning feel that way because they approach life at only an ego level, either never having learned about or not accepting the truth that the unconscious affects our thinking, words, and actions far more than we realize.  The ego is a smaller part of our total being than is the unconscious.  It is only when we’ve grown in consciousness that we are able to have some understanding of this.  Therefore, endeavoring to become more conscious is vital.

It wasn’t until I began meeting with a Jungian psychotherapist many years ago that I became aware of the ways the unconscious affects our lives without our realizing it.  Through my work with the therapist and by reading about Jungian psychology and related topics, I began to grow in consciousness.  I’m able to say from personal experience that I’m living a more purposeful and meaningful life as a result.  I can also say from personal experience that I make mistakes, that the inner guidance is not always clear to me, and that I have to be watchful of when my ego desires get in the way of my inner work.

But continuing to endeavor to follow the “unfolding of the Self,” to use Sanford’s words, is what matters most.  That is why I share Sanford’s quote with you.  And that is why in my other posts I share the quotes of other people whose words of wisdom can help all of us to grow in consciousness and to live more meaningful lives.

“As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people and, of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you.”

This quote is by C.S. Lewis from his book Mere Christianity.  Lewis was a Christian apologist, someone who supports the teachings of Christianity with clear, understandable explanations and reasoning.  Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, and Miracles are three of his best known books of this type.  He is also known for his works of fiction.  These include The Chronicles of Narnia, a series of seven books generally considered to be children’s literature.  But, as is the case with much well-written children’s literature, they can be appreciated by adults as well.

Lewis’ words are an excellent reminder that one of the most important qualities we can possess is humility.

When we find ourselves thinking we are better than other people, being judgmental and critical, it is to our benefit to remind ourselves that all of our accomplishments, everything we take pride in, were only possible because our Creator gave us the ability to do whatever those things are.  Our having grown up in a family where there was nurturing and encouragement, our having lived in a part of the world where there were educational opportunities and nutritious food, where each day didn’t involve just doing what was necessary to survive, as it is for many people in our world, made it possible for us to achieve those accomplishments.

I believe our Creator takes joy in the ways we use the gifts we’ve been given—our creativity, intellectual ability, motivation, discipline, perseverance—and the many additional gifts that make it possible to do things well and that we can feel good about doing and having done.  But when we catch ourselves thinking too highly of ourselves and especially when we find ourselves thinking we’re better than others because of our accomplishments, it is essential that we remind ourselves that all of those qualities are part of who we are because our Creator made them part of us.

When we remember that, we have the wisdom expressed by Lewis’ words:  we are able see that which is above us.

“Humankind has not woven the web of life.  We are but one strand within it.  Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.  All things are bound together.  All things connected.”

These beautiful words were spoken by Chief Seattle.  He was chief of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indians in the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1800s. His words are especially meaningful to those of us who recognize the beauty and healthfulness of nature—be it majestic mountains with forests, streams, and waterfalls, or a single flower in our backyard.

Chief Seattle’s words were spoken years before scientific studies confirmed that human activities have resulted in global warming and in the many adverse effects global warming has had and continues to have.  When gasoline powered vehicles were invented, there was no idea that emissions from vehicles would in the future make up a large part of the causes of devastating weather events.  Such information was also not available about the use of coal or the emissions from manufacturing plants and airplanes when they were first used or invented.  And yet Chief Seattle’s words “Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves” have certainly proved to be prophetic.

It’s concerning, to put it mildly, that so many people do not believe the research results that prove that global warming exists.  It’s especially concerning when those who don’t believe them are politicians who refuse to pass legislation to improve the situation, and who, in their ignorance, choose to end protections that previously had been put in place to help protect our environment and the people who will potentially be seriously harmed or killed by severe storms, wildfires, flooding, and drought.  And who, by choosing not to accept science-based facts, ignore the wellbeing of future generations who will inherit these problems.

Although the scope of the problems can feel overwhelming, there are positive things happening.  I’m impressed by and thankful for the researchers who study ways to capture carbon, to decrease the release of greenhouse gases, to produce goods in ways that result in less waste, and who in other ways are working toward decreasing the causes of global warming.

But we must not expect others to take care of it without doing our part.  It’s essential that each of us do what we can to help:  recycle, use mass transit if available, reduce driving and flying when possible, and be mindful of not wasting water or other resources.

Each one of us is a part of the web of life.  We are all interconnected, all part of a larger interdependent system.   We all need to do our part to care for our planet and for those who presently live here and for those who will live here when our earthly journey is completed.

“Waking up this morning, I smile.  Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.  I vow to live fully in each moment.”

This quote is by Thich Nhat Hanh.  He was a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, peace activist, author, poet, and teacher.

Thich Nhat Hanh’s words express enthusiasm and gratitude for the gift of life.  For the gift that each day is and for the potential all of us have for living each day fully.  Because we are all unique persons on our individual life journeys, that which comprises our living each day fully will also be unique for each of us.

We all have responsibilities, concerns, priorities, and hopes.  No matter what those are, it can help us when we start each day by being thankful for that day and by expressing our gratitude to our Creator.

It’s natural to have times when we feel sad or overburdened because of whatever is going on in our lives.  It’s also natural to have times of happiness and peacefulness.  Again, expressing gratitude helps us to approach what we need to do no matter how we’re feeling.  Doing so reminds us of the abilities and inner strength we have, and being mindful of those can enable us to be motivated as we go about our day.

In addition to being thankful, we are better able to live fully in each moment when we try to follow the guidance of our inner voice or, to use Jungian terminology, when our ego is in alignment with the Self.  Some ways that help us to hear and to follow that guidance are paying attention to our intuition and to our dreams, noticing when projection might have occurred and what it is telling us about ourselves, endeavoring to ascertain the significance of unexpected happenings, and praying for guidance.

My prayer for all of us is that we will do our best to live each day fully.

“The capacity for growth depends on one’s ability to internalize and to take personal responsibility. If we forever see our life as a problem caused by others, a problem to be ‘solved,’ then no change will occur.”

This quote is by James Hollis from his book The Middle Passage: From Misery to Meaning in Midlife.  Hollis is a Jungian analyst, author, and speaker.  I have read several of his books and highly recommend them to you.

Taking personal responsibility is one of the qualities of being a mature person.  Being in the habit of blaming others is not.

As I write this, I am certainly aware that we are affected by the words and actions of other people, especially as children.  The way that children are treated by their parents, caregivers, teachers, and other adults certainly influences their personalities, abilities, and self-esteem.  That’s why it’s so important that children be raised in a nurturing environment.  And, of course, there are times when we as adults are affected by the words and actions of others as well.

What I appreciate about Hollis’ words is that, in order for us to become persons who change in positive ways, we need to focus on moving forward despite past negative influences—moving forward so that change can occur.  In some cases, including for those who didn’t grow up in a nurturing environment, meeting with a capable therapist can assist with the goal of taking personal responsibility for our lives.  I believe that Jungian-based therapy is the most helpful therapeutic approach in this regard.  What matters is that we do get started, because the change to which Hollis refers is what leads to living a more meaningful and purposeful life.  A life where we contribute to that which makes our world better for others as well as for ourselves.

It’s concerning that certain influences in our society encourage blaming and not being accountable.  There’s so much that is helpful and positive about the internet, but there are also websites and social media posts that do much harm.  They glorify blaming others, including attacking others verbally or cheering on people who do that.  Verbal attacks are more and more accepted it seems, to the detriment of all of us.

It’s also concerning that taking the easy route of seeing our life as a problem caused by others, to use Hollis’ words, is far too common.  And then staying stuck there.  It certainly can be true that one or more persons in our past treated us poorly.  But unless we make the effort to move beyond thinking of our lives only through that lens, we will not grow and change.  Taking responsibility for our lives can include acknowledging those past wrongdoings by others and then moving beyond them.

I’m not saying this is easy.  I am saying it’s well worth the effort.

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”

This quote is by John Muir, a naturalist and author who lived from 1838 to 1914.  He advocated preserving natural wilderness and has been referred to as the father of the National Parks.

Muir’s quote resonates with me because it contains words that reflect those aspects of life that comprise our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being:  beauty, playing, praying, healing, cheerfulness, strength, body, and soul.  As Muir says, our connection to and spending time in nature can be a source of that well-being.

I definitely agree with Muir about the specialness and benefits of nature.  Additional sources of our well-being are art, dance, music, and theater.  They too add beauty, cheerfulness, and a sense of playfulness to our lives.  At times they are also a source of healing, such as when a person is feeling down and the arts contribute to him or her feeling better.  We can experience the benefits of the arts both when we attend performances or go to art fairs and museums where we take in the artistic talents of others and also when we do these activities ourselves.  I have friends who have continued to play musical instruments they learned when they were young, as I do the piano.  And sometimes people start learning to play musical instruments as adults just for the pleasure of doing so.  This is true of dancing, drawing, painting, singing, and being involved in community theater too.

And then there are the special relationships we have – with our spouses or partners, our children, our grandchildren, our friends, and others.  The quality time we spend with those we love certainly adds to beauty and cheer in our lives, and can also be a source of healing.

Muir also refers to giving strength to our bodies.  We take care of our bodies by eating nutritious food, getting sufficient sleep, avoiding unhealthy substances, and doing some physical activity each day.  Doing so not only benefits our physical health but also our mental and emotional health. As an older person, I recognize how fortunate I have been to have lived many years and to have had good health.  It’s one of the many things for which I thank our Creator each day.  I’m also aware that, because I am older, that will change at some point.  So I do what I’m able to to be healthy, and I encourage those who are reading this post to also take care of their health.

Muir also refers to prayer.  Having a quiet place and time for prayer each day is vital to our connection to our Creator.  Saying prayers from time to time throughout each day as we go about our responsibilities also adds meaning to our lives.  Prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for others, prayers for causes, prayers for our world and all the people and creatures with whom we share it.

Finally, Muir says nature may give strength to the soul.  Definitely!  And I would add that everything I’ve written about in this post nurtures our souls as well.  Discern the gifts you’ve been given and let them be part of caring for your soul.