Author: Susan Schulte

“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.

“Forever is composed of nows.”

This quote is by Emily Dickinson, an American poet who lived in the 1800s.  Her poems are well known and they are regularly part of literature courses at universities and high schools.

Dickinson’s words are a reminder that what we do and say each day matters.  That it’s not just certain occasions or times of accomplishment that have value (although they do also), but that every day does.  Often in our modern world there is an emphasis on what is coming next rather than on making the most of the present.

It’s special to see how young children naturally live in the present.  I often take my grandson, who is a toddler, to a park near his home.  As I watch him enjoying running from place to place and playing on the playground equipment, I’m reminded of this.  And when I am with him and feeling happy that he is happy and healthy, I too appreciate the present, for my focus is on what he is doing and not on something I need to do later.

Each day there are opportunities to treat each other with kindness and respect, to be nonjudgmental, to offer our assistance, to express gratitude, and in many other ways to do our part to add to that which is positive in our world.  And during the times when we are not with others, to spend the gift of time well no matter what we’re doing.  That can include exercising, doing housework, walking the dog—all of these activities matter too.  Silent prayer while doing such activities adds even more value to what we are doing.

For those who are not already doing so, I encourage you to learn about Jungian psychology and through that to endeavor to be more conscious persons.  Becoming more conscious adds positive change and meaning to our lives, helping us to live each day more fully.  I especially recommend Jungian analyst John A. Sanford’s books.  And it certainly can be beneficial to meet with a Jungian therapist.

Everything we do each day makes up our “forever.”  Whatever we are able to do to add to that which is good and right for others and for ourselves adds purpose, meaning, and beauty to that forever.

“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say ‘thank you’?”

This quote is by William Arthur Ward who was an American motivational writer.  He was known for writing positive sayings which appeared in many publications and other media.

This quote caught my attention, both because of the importance of expressing our thankfulness and also because of the unique way Ward reminds us of the gift of life, of the 86,400 seconds of life we have each day.

As we go about our day doing the various activities we need to do, it can be easy to take for granted the many things for which we should be grateful–our families and friends, health, abilities, jobs, people who have been positive influences, and the opportunities that come our way.  And the clean air we breathe, the birdsong we hear, the beauty of the sky, and the many other aspects of nature, not only in the countryside but also in urban areas.  The list of things for which we should be thankful goes on and on.

Focusing on the many blessings we have rather than on what we don’t have adds to our sense of wellbeing and helps us to be more positive in general.  In fact, there are research studies that have found that this approach helps to decrease the effects of depression and other mental illnesses.

Each day is a gift from our Creator.  It’s important to value that gift and, as Ward reminds us, to say thank you for that gift.