Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

Author: Tara Lemieux

On Inner Peace.

“The best fighter is never angry.” ― Lao Tzu
“We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
We don’t realize that, somewhere within us all, there does exist a supreme self who is eternally at peace.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love 
“Pleasure is always derived from something outside you, whereas joy arises from within.” ― Eckhart Tolle
“Each one has to find his peace from within. And peace to be real must be unaffected by outside circumstances.” ― Mahatma Gandhi
“Never respond to an angry person with a fiery comeback, even if he deserves it…Don’t allow his anger to become your anger.” ― Bohdi Sanders, Warrior Wisdom: Ageless Wisdom for the Modern Warrior
 “Peace is not a result inside us from everything around us. Peace is not submissive nor passive. On the contrary, peace is an overwhelming force which comes from within us, disrespectful of everything around us, a firm coalition of spirit and soul standing against all the unrest that abounds.” ― C. JoyBell C.
“A saint radiates love for everyone” ― Shri Radhe Maa
“No price is too great to pay for inner peace. Peace is the harmonious control of life. It is vibrant with life-energy. It is a power that easily transcends all our worldly knowledge. Yet it is not separate from our earthly existence. If we open the right avenues within, this peace can be felt here and now.”
Sri Chinmoy

Facing Tragedy from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

fb-images-ct-tragedy-dalai-lama

“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’ No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”

Dalai Lama XIV

I’m not yet ready to comment on the tragedy of this day.

I think there will be many comments, perhaps too many…the ‘How could this happen’s’ and ‘What kind of monster could do just this’s”—though that dialogue may become an integral part of our healing, I pray that as these hours unfold, we will all move forward towards a true and compassionate understanding.

But for now, I—and I believe I speak for everyone else here at elephant journal—send out all of our collective love, and best energy…to heal the hearts of those who need it most.

And, may these hearts not ever lose hope.

To all the beautiful souls needing love tonight—you have mine…and most unconditionally.

Namaste.

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How to Talk to Kids about Tragedy According to Mr. Rogers. (via Kate Bartolotta ~ elephant journal).

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,‘ I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers—so many caring people in this world.” ~ Fred Rogers

For more most beautiful articles from Kate Bartolotta – please, take a moment to join her and all the other amazing writers on elephant journal.

Facing Tragedy from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

“There is a saying in Tibetan, ‘Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength.’ No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that’s our real disaster.”― Dalai Lama XIV

I’m not yet ready to comment on the tragedy of this day—I think there will be many comments, perhaps too many…over the ‘how could this happen’s and ‘what kind of monster could do just this’s. And though that dialogue may become an integral part of our healing, I pray that as these hours unfold…we will all move forward towards a true and compassionate understanding.
But for now ~ I send out all of my love, and best energy…to heal the hearts of those who need it most. 
May these hearts not ever lose hope.

To all the beautiful souls needing love tonight ~ you have mind…and most unconditionally.

*namaste*

The Thing Is. (by Ellen Bass)

to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you’ve held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, How can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.

I Went For a Short Ride Today.

 

“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” ~Anonymous 

So, I rode my bicycle today—my first ride in almost a year.

My son begged me to come…and said, “Mom, these days here will soon be gone.” So, I pulled everything I had together in my heart—and God willing, hoped to make it home.

We traveled my favorite path, the one that winds gently past the horse farm—stopping there only just for one moment, while all of those horses came to greet me at the fence.

I know it’s so silly – but it felt much like they remembered me, from all those rides before when we first met. And one of the horses put her muzzle against my chest—it was as if she was willing me her energy.

But the most wonderful bit of it all—every single moment we rode, my son shouted, “You got this Mom – I’m so proud of you.”

I remember saying almost just those very words, when I watched my son race off on his first bicycle.

You know, I really fought going on this ride—so many fears in my head. And here I sit, with tears in my eyes realizing the universe was using this moment to send me a message.

After last week, and in the peak point of physical pain unlike anything I have ever felt in my life…I thought of how much easier it would be to give up.

But, I am so ever-grateful for today—as I know, these days may soon be gone. I need to get it all in while these days are still here, and in order to create these everlasting images.

So I rode my bike today—and it was one of the best days I have ever had.

A Little Advice on Being a Much Better Human. (elephant journal 4/14)

"Wish" - photo credit: Gusti Yogiswara

“Wish” – photo credit: Gusti Yogiswara

“Because you are alive, everything is possible.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh

I stumbled upon this most brilliant passage and just as I was making my way towards awake. I had been feeling a little ragged and worn, the result of far too many bigger things on my plate.
And though, these challenges, the ones I have been facing as of late, are enough to make the strongest of spirits feel weak. Over time, I have learned what I once dreaded the most, has become by far, my greatest gift.

This world and life are far too spectacular to lose even just one moment of it to sorrow or grief; to wrap ourselves up so tightly in our heads, that we miss the true joy of living.

“Never touch anything with half of your heart. Be present, endlessly loving and compassionate towards others. Confront any challenging situation first with a deep breath. Wander. Remember that your own happiness and comfort comes above all things. Before reacting—understand. Eat breakfast every morning. Find the faces in the flowers. Remember what is important to you. Treat your body kindly. Be honest. Get to know yourself. Take things at your own pace. Don’t feel embarrassed to feel, laugh, cry, sing or love. Remember that what’s right for someone else may not be what is right for you (and that’s okay). Never be ashamed or afraid to ask for help. Do what you love. Remember that you always have a choice. Find joy in what life really is—living.”
Author Unknown

Israel Kamakawiwo`Ole, or Iz for short—used to say, “Make your kuleana pono. Then everything else follows.

It means, be true to your spirit and accountable to your own heart. Have integrity in your actions, and always be true to your word—because, when it is that your spirit is complete, everything else in life will fall into place.

Simply speaking, it’s the Hawaiian view of karma—and such great advice for being a much better human.

Each day is a gift, my friends—and each moment is its very own blessing. So brush off your worries for just this one day, and go make your kuleana pono.

And if there’s every day where you feel just a bit overwhelmed, remember today’s moments will soon be, tomorrow’s memories.

Amazingly Heartwarming Bonus Video: Israel Kamakawiwo`Ole’s “Wonderful World”

The Best Days of My Life.

“When you are inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project, all your thoughts break their bonds: your mind transcends limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world. Dormant forces, faculties and talents become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be.” ― Patanjali

And what a wonderful world it can be, when it is that we may find within ourselves purpose—that one thing that sets our souls free.

And though, these challenges I have been facing lately, are enough to make the strongest spirit weak…over time I have learned what I once dreaded the most, has become by far… my greatest gift.

This world and life are far too spectacular, to lose even just one moment of it to grief; to wrap ourselves up so tightly in our heads, that we miss the magnificence and true joy of living.

“Because you are alive, everything is possible.”  ― Thich Nhat Hanh,

This is one of my most favorite songs, sung by a dear man who’s energy lit up this world. He always made me smile, and though he has long since passed—the joy of his love remains.

Israel Kamakawiwo`Ole, or Iz for short—used to say make your “kuleana pono”…which is Hawaaian for ‘get your spirit right.’ If you listen carefully, you’ll hear it in his rendition of the song, “What a Wonderful World.” 

Each day is a gift, my friends—and each moment is its very own blessing. 

And if there should be days where you feel overwhelmed—remember today’s moments will soon be, tomorrow’s memories.

namaste my most beautiful friends—you, my dears, were meant for unmitigated happiness…and these are the very best days of your life.

Leave Room in the Garden.

Leave room in your ‘garden’ for the fairies to dance…
Set a place for them nearest your soul.
And set a spot for compassion, and kindness, as well…
And a corner for your inner light to glow.

Yes, we all must ‘make room in our garden’—to hold a space for all of life’s most wonderful things. And a spot for the people that we love most of all, and the joy that their presence can bring.

Sometimes, we can stand behind these ‘walls’ that we have placed in our world—through many years of learning, and pain.

We hide behind them and in order to shield us from harm, and in doing so—we keep the true joy and love of this world away.

namaste, my most beautiful friends…take time to clear a space in your garden, and I will meet you there, someday…with joy and peace and all of my love. And perhaps, we can watch those garden fairies ‘dance’…

xo