Forwards and occasionally sidewards – everyday musings of life

While the house and the world sleep, I’ve gotten into the habit of reading a verse from the Tao each morning before I do anything else. I’m finding this calms my mind and focuses on today’s verse which helps me to become a stronger, kinder and calmer person. I’m aware that I’m becoming more content with myself, more caring and kinder towards others and confident on the path I’ve been given. 

I’m finding that the 81 verses written 2,000 years ago by Lao-tzu are having more of an impact on my second reading. Maybe that is because my mind is in a different place this time or maybe it’s because as I read them my brain recalls the first reading and is strengthening the connections made. Whatever it is, they are having a positive and powerful impact. 

Spirituality was an area of my life that was shut out for many years. Partly intentional: I was never convinced about religion when I was younger, then I found myself on the roller coaster of life in the Western world busy and consumed by day-to-day must-dos. Then as that life presented challenges and pressures I found Buddhism guided me and spoke to me in a way that made sense and seemed like the right way to live. I didn’t need to go on a retreat to find myself or any like that – although at the time I was living in a house called, ‘The Retreat!’, I just needed to read about Buddhism; reflect on the wise words; be my natural self and apply the lessons. 

In this crazy and confusing world that we’re living in, anything that helps people be calmer and kinder to each other and helps us find our inner strength can surely only be a good thing.