This section of the website includes passages, poems and statements made by many influential people throughout time, that are inspiring and have great meaning....it is an extension of my website's inspirational quotes that are located at the very bottom of the website. Enjoy!!

Jodie C. Lindley

A good friend of mine sent me this email and I believe it warranted a spot on my website. It makes sense...

These are really very powerful. Implement whatever you can.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day.  And while you walk, smile.  It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.  Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a DVR of or tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My
 purpose is to __________ today.'
 
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.

6. Play more games and read more books than you did last year. 

7. Make time for meditation and prayer.  They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of  6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water.  Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan  salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear clutter from your house, your car, and your desk.

14. Don 't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control..  Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.  Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Try & pay an honest compliment to someone you wouldn't normally.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
 
20. Don 't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
 
22. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'.  You have no idea what their  journey is all about.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
 
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words:  'In five years, will this matter ?'
 
26. Forgive everyone for everything.
 
27. What other people think of you is none of your business.
 
29. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
 
30. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.

31. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

32. Envy is a waste of time.  You already have all you need.
 
33. The best is yet to come.
 
34. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up..

35. Do the right thing!

36. Call your family often, God gave them to you for a reason.
 
37. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:
I am thankful for __________.  Today I accomplished _________.

38. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
 
39. Enjoy the ride.  Remember this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.  You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

40. Please forward this to your friends.

May your troubles be less, may your blessings be more, may nothing but happiness come through your door!

Peace, Jodie

This entry is in honor of someone very special to me, my beloved cat Harold. Yesterday I sadly had to put him down - he had a large lung tumor, which recently began to affect his quality of life. It was his time, and even though I am grief-stricken and heart-broken, he was starting to suffer and I had to make a tough choice. I loved him very much and I miss him terribly.

So this entry is a poem which I believe is quite famous for the loss of a pet. The author is unknown, but his/her words give me comfort in knowing Harold is safe, happy and waiting for me...


          Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together.... 

                                                                                    --Author unknown

This was a quote sent to me by a friend, which I have been repeating to myself daily, after making the decision to take a leave from my massage practice. I believe, that in order to grow and change in life we have to give up being safe. To really capture freedom, sometimes we have to give up that which most brings us security, and in that space really fly and be who we are. That is what I want. To fly...


            How does one become a butterfly? she asked pensively.
            You must want to fly so much that you are willing
            to give up being a caterpillar.

                                                                                             --T. Paulus
                           

My sister sent me this long quote by comedian George Carlin today, and I liked it so much I thought it was important to pass on and include it on my website. It really hit home for me the fact that our lives today become so outward focused, that we forget our inner lives and what is really important. I believe we are here for "soul work", and this quote reminded me of that...enjoy!!

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.

We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.

We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.

We have more degrees, but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life.

We've added years to life, not life to years.

We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour.

We conquered outer space, but not inner space.

We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.

We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice.

We write more, but learn less.

We plan more, but accomplish less.

We've learned to rush, but not to wait.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill.

It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight or to just hit delete . . .

Remember spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment, for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I include the quote below from Eckhart Tolle's The Power of Now, because it talks specifically about receiving bodywork therapy, which is what I do. This is a message I would like all my clients to read and really think about, because it explains the importance of not just receiving therapy as a passive participant, hoping all problems will just go away at the hands of another person...you have to be willing to let go from the inside too...

"Bodywork can be helpful in restoring this flow of life energy through the body,
but unless one practices surrender in everyday life, therapy can only give temporary
symptom relief since the cause - the 'resistance to life' pattern - has not been dissolved."
                                                       --Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now

Below is a simple quote by Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran, which made me shake my head, laugh and say "ain't it the truth"! We all have issues and problems in our lives, and sometimes we have to have a sense of humour and not sweat the small stuff....and just laugh! Enjoy...


If we were all to sit in a circle and confess our sins, we would
laugh at each other for lack of originality.

                   --Kahlil Gibran

The exerpt below are words from the Dalai Lama, in regards to compassion and love. I love this simple yet profound message, and when I first read it, my whole being jumped up and said "YES"...I hope it does the same for you...enjoy!


"Compassion is one of the principal things
that make our lives meaningful. It is the source of all
lasting happiness and joy. And it is the foundation of a
good heart, the heart of one who acts out of a desire to
help others. Through kindness, through affection, through
honesty, through truth and justice toward all others we
ensure our own benefit. This is not a matter for
complicated theorizing. It is a matter of common sense.
There is no denying that consideration of others is
worthwhile. There is no denying that our happiness is
inextricably bound up with the happiness of others. There
is no denying that if society suffers, we ourselves
suffer. Nor is there any denying that the more our hearts
and minds are afflicted with ill will, the more miserable
we become. Thus we can reject everything else: religion,
ideology, all received wisdom. But we cannot escape the
necessity of love and compassion.

This, then, is my true religion, my simple
faith. In this sense, there is no need for temple or
church, for mosque or synagogue, no need for complicated
philosophy, doctrine, or dogma. Our own heart, our own
mind, is the temple. The doctrine is compassion. Love for
others and respect for their rights and dignity, no matter
who or what they are: ultimately these are all we need. So
long as we practice these in our daily lives, then no
matter if we are learned or unlearned, whether we believe
in Buddha or God, or follow some other religion or none at
all, as long as we have compassion for others and conduct
ourselves with restraint out of a sense of responsibility,
there is no doubt we will be happy."

The following is a prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi, which I think is beautiful and inspirational. Personally, it inspires me to be a better person, to help people heal every day in my work, and be at peace with the spiritual lessons I am learning here on Earth...enjoy!


Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much
    seek
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.

                               --Saint Francis of Assisi

The proper attitude toward everything that happens in life is "Not my will but thine. Thank you for the lesson." Buddhism calls this non-resistance. The idea is to work and learn from the universe instead of fighting it. This does not mean to give up our power - just the opposite, in fact. It means owning our power and viewing what has happened as a teaching, lesson, challenge, and opportunity to grow. Look at karma as a stepping stone for soul growth.

---Joshua David Stone, Soul Psychology 

We strive so hard to make our lives the way we want them to be. As you begin this day, imagine that you can give up struggling for a whole day. Relax for a while, and trust that your needs will be met by the natural flow of life.

The philosophy of being here now and letting go of attachment is a very freeing experience. When you do this, you discover that you're really perfectly okay; in fact you feel quite wonderful. You can just let yourself be, let the whole world be, and give up to the struggle of trying to change things.

--Shakti Gawain, Reflections in the Light

I loved the Muppets as a kid and never knew why I appreciated them so much. I realize now they followed a certain simple and true philosophy, and Jim Henson projected that image into the show: one of honoring yourself, loving yourself, and living a simple life, with lots of friends and laughter...this song by Kermit the Frog will show you the simple joy of knowing and loving who you are...enjoy!!


It's not easy bein' green
It seems you blend in with so many other
ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over,
'cause you're not standing out like flashy sparkles
on the water,
or stars in the sky

But green is the color of spring
And green can be cool and friendly like
And green can be big like an ocean
Or important like a mountain
Or tall like a tree

When green is all there is to be,
It could make you wonder why,
But why wonder, why wonder?
I am green, and it'll do fine
And I think it's what I want to be.

--Kermit the Frog, The Muppet Show

For many people, this time may be distressing because the world situation and/or our personal lives may seem to be going from bad to worse. It's as if many things that used to work are not working anymore.

Painful though it may be at times, these changes are part of a "healing crisis" taking place in our world. The simple truth is that the old way of life never brought us the deep fullfillment, satisfaction, and joy that we have always sought. We must let go of the old forms which limit us or don't fit anymore in order to make way for the new.

--from Shakti Gawain's Reflections in the Light

To be authentic, you have to be everything that you are, omitting nothing. Within everyone there is light and shadow, good and evil, love and hate. The play of these opposites is what constantly moves life forward; the river of life expresses itself in all its changes from one opposite to another. If you can truly embrace these opposites within yourself, you will be authentic, and as your self-acceptance expands until there is nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to hide, your life will take on the generosity and warmth that marks every great lover.

--from Deepak Chopra's The Path to Love 

Compare the serene and simple splendor of a rose in bloom with the tensions and restlessness of your life. The rose has a gift that you lack; It is perfectly content to be itself. It has not been programmed from birth, as you have been, to be dissatisfied with itself, so it has not the slightest urge to be anything other than it is. That is why it possesses the artless grace and absence of inner conflict that among humans is only found in little children and mystics.

--Anthony DeMello, The Way to Love

"There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer. There is no disease that enough love will not heal. No door that enough love will not open. No gulf that enough love will not bridge. No wall that enough love will not throw down. And no sin that enough love will not redeem. It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble. How hopeless the outlook. How muddled the tangle. How great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all. And if you could love enough you would be the happiest and most powerful person in the world."

  --Emmett Fox, taken from Louise L. Hay's
The Power is Within You