As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. gandhi

We can never obtain peace in the world if we neglect the inner world and don't make peace with ourselves. World peace must develop out of inner peace. dalai lama


Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them. Dalai Lama

An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The highest reward for a person’s toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it.
John Ruskin

My Mind to me a kingdom is,
Such present joys therein I find,
That it excels all other bliss
That earth affords or grows by kind;
Though much I want which most would have,
Yet still my mind forbids to crave.

No princely pomp, no wealthy store,
No force to win the victory,
No wily wit to salve a sore,
No shape to feed a loving eye;
To none of these I yield as thrall:
For why? My mind doth serve for all.

I see how plenty surfeits oft,
And hasty climbers soon do fall;
I see that those which are aloft
Mishap doth threaten most of all,
They get with toil, they keep with fear;
Such cares my mind could never bear.

Content to live, this is my stay;
I seek no more than may suffice;
I press to bear no haughty sway;
Look, what I lack my mind supplies:
Lo, Thus I triumph like a king.
Content with that my mind doth bring.

Some have too much, yet still do crave;
I little have, and seek no more.
They are but poor, though much they have,
And I am rich with little store;
They poor, I rich; they beg, I give;
They lack, I leave; they pine, I live.

~Sir Edward Dyer

1. Be impeccable with your word.

Our words, our thoughts, and our feelings all contribute to the creation of our reality. Our word is a two-edged sword, it can create or it can destroy. To be impeccable is to create with conscious awareness and love. Ruiz also makes the point that our perceptions of others are merely reflections of ourselves. Therefore, to put another down or project negative words or energy towards another person, is to lash out at the other person because of our own insecurities. The human mind is fertile ground for the seeds that are our word. So plant the seeds of love, not fear. Judging, blaming, shaming, and especially gossiping create poison in ourselves and others. This agreement alone is enough to break all of your old agreements and change the dream of your life.

2. Don’t take anything personally.

There is an awful lot of negative energy out there and some of it is directed at us by other people. But other people’s reactions and opinions are simply other people’s reactions and opinions. They are having their own experience and none of it has anything to do with you - it does not make you wrong, guilty, bad, unworthy, famous, loveable, or important. If you take it personally and take on the poison of another’s words, it becomes a very negative agreement you have with yourself. What anybody thinks about you, or says about you, is really about them. Not taking it personally allows you to be in relationship with anyone and not get trapped in their stuff. This agreement can also pertain to things that we take personally that cause us to go into upset.

3. Don’t make assumptions.

Our minds have the need to “know.” When we don’t know, we make assumptions - they make us feel safer than not knowing. And we are pretty much always making assumptions. We assume that we know how someone is going to react to us. We assume that our efforts will or will not be successful. And not only do we believe our assumptions about what other people are thinking, but then we end up taking those assumptions personally and even end up resenting the person. To avoid assumptions, ask questions. It takes courage to trust the present moment, to allow other people to be exactly who they are, and to let life unfold according to its own plan… and it avoids a great deal of suffering.

4. Always do your best.

Your best changes from moment to moment, sick or well, tired or rested. Remember that you are an imperfect human being. There is no value to judging yourself for “failing” - and no truth to it either. There should be no regrets. When you are not impeccable, when you take something personally, or make an assumption, you are still doing your best, and you are still a beloved child of Spirit. Agree to always do your best, with love and acceptance for the imperfect divine human that you are. The other key to doing your best revolves about being in action. Action is about living fully. Inaction is the way that we deny life.

The Five Best Vegetarian Restaurants in the DC Area

Looking for a Good, Healthy Meal?

By Kate In order to make this list, the restaurants had to meet the following criteria: (1) They had to be totally vegetarian. (Sorry, but just so you know, fish is not a vegetable.) (2) They had to be somewhat in the DC area (within an hour's drive from downtown, notwithstanding hideous beltway traffic) (3) They had to be GOOD! That being said, here goes.

5. Java Green (Downtown DC)
This is a smaller deli-style restaurant with vegetarian Korean food, as well as some American fare. They have a large menu, making it hard to decide what dish you'd like to try, but once you pick one you will be satisfied. They have a large variety of curry dishes and Asian vegetables, and also a variety of teas, smoothies and vegan desserts. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The restaurant often donates part of their profits to animal causes on certain days of the week. They don't have late hours, but they are working on extending them.

4. Everlasting Life (Capitol Heights, Georgetown)
This is a great little place for vegetarian soul food. Meatloaf, rice and beans, chickpeas and the like. The food is served deli style (go to the counter and order) and you pay by the dish or order an entree and two sides as a meal. There is one case of cold dishes and one of hot, and you choose one side or the other. The quality of the food is good, although they can be a bit heavy on the salt and spices. The staff is very welcoming and helpful, even if you ask them to explain every dish to you. There is also a small natural foods store attached.

3. The Vegetable Garden (Rockville)
This restaurant has a huge menu of primarily Chinese food, but there are other things, such as salads, penne and veggie burgers. The menu has items marked for vegetarians, vegans, those looking for heart-healthy foods, and even raw-foodists and macrobiotics. As with traditional Chinese restaurants, your entrees are put in the middle of the table and can be shared in most cases. I recommend the sesame-vegi chicken. The atmosphere is casual, with lovely photos of vegetables on the walls. Entrees are about $10 apiece and all are free of MSG, dairy, egg and refined sugar.

2. Vegetate (Downtown DC)
This is a more upscale restaurant than the other veg joints in the area, more in the food than in the atmosphere. It tries to be pretentious, with the waiters wearing black shirts and jeans and playing aloof, but it fails with the low-key decor and inconspicuous entrance. The food was very good and priced about $15 a plate. The chocolate cake is too die for, and vegan to boot. The dining room only seats 20, so be sure to make a reservation. They open at 6 on weeknights and 11 for Sunday brunch. They are closed Monday and Tuesday.

1. Great Sage (Clarksville - Howard County, MD)
This restaurant is a real crowd pleaser, even if you're not a vegetarian. I've taken several omnivorous friends, and they've raved about the food. Of course, if you are a vegetarian, all the better. You have a great selection of menu items, from sandwiches, to soups, to entrees such as pasta and shepherd's pie. Their food is healthy and organic and it tastes great! Be sure to try the smoothies and desserts. Service has always been great, and the food is fairly inexpensive.

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Love all, trust a few. Do wrong to none.
William Shakespeare, "All's Well That Ends Well", Act 1 Scene 1

 

"Of all the words, ever spoken or penned, the saddest of these are, What might have been".