And thanks Pamir, for your invitation to comment further on the Blessed Discontent.

That piece was written several years ago for a collective online writing project called Inspirare.

So much energy and emotion is spent trying to “breaking free” of our discontent, our fears, anxieties and self-loathing, the false beliefs as Meredith said. But in my own life I have found that the very effort of breaking free from those feelings is what binds me to them. Those feelings are the greatest gifts and messages, they are the crying out that allows us to turn inward and know our own beauty and purpose.

My friend likes to say, “happiness cannot be found by great effort, but it is available now in open-hearted relaxation.” The Blessed Discontent pointed me toward the realization that what I call “negative” is only my own resistance to the gift that is always present. When I open and embrace this gift it becomes what we would call amazing and positive.

It’s not that I have to be a bliss bunny. I get down sometimes, but it is easy to make the shift to pure joy once I come back to my center.

Bless Bless, David

Donald’s last blog post..7 Winning Character Traits That Create A Lifetime Of Success

@Alice: Welcome & thanks for stopping by.

@Miruh: Yes, I didn’t want a run of the mill Carnival that’s only a list of links. In all things I try to go for value. Glad you liked the images.

@Liara Covert: Thanks for the add to your blogroll.

@Maria: Thanks for your contribution to the Carnival.

@Gina: There are 1000s of blogs & I really wanted to highlight the contributions. Blogs with more everyday subjects get a lot of attention, but as we know the everyday is impossible without the spiritual!

@carolyn, laughing yogini: I love, love the quote from Basho.

@Tania: We were all new to computers at some point. Glad you find value here.

@Davina: I’m glad we connected through this. I see more down the road…

@David Wodtke: Thanks for your piece. People like it enough that perhaps you can comment a little more about it.

Bless Bless, David

Davina’s last blog post..The Morning Muse — Inspiring Hands

The piece by David Wodtke was well done. I can definitely relate – though of course I would add yoga and gardening to the activities that help create bliss in my life.

Here is an excerpt from Matsuo Basho’s essay, “Learn From the Pine” – regarding the process of writing:

“One must first of all concentrate one’s thoughts on an object. Once one’s mind achieves a state of concentration and the space between oneself and the object has disappeared, the essential nature of the object can be perceived. Then express it immediately. If one ponders it, it will vanish from the mind.”

carolyn, laughing yogini’s last blog post..Village Christmas Podcast

Once again, thank you for including me, and once again… I am impressed and inspired by the amount of time and care you took in presenting this valuable collection of writing. I am once again reminded of how honored and blessed I feel to be a part of this growing holistic community, and amazed by the variety of voices and gifts of those striving to help humanity in the way that we do.

Kudos!

Gina’s last blog post..Wonderfully Made

Liara Covert’s last blog post..What happens through grace?

Congratulations on a terrific job! I can see that you have put a lot of work into putting together this wonderful offering.

I will have to come back to check out this awesome variety you have presented.

Melanie’s images have a healing quality about them. I really like the 3D effect of Moving Through Blocks. It has interesting feeling of moving into another dimension.

Great job, thanks!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Miruh’s last blog post..May Love Triumph

Alice

Alice’s last blog post..Tachyon Source Energy Stones

A comment on David Wodtke’s piece: I was writing on a similar topic yesterday, about how the past is not prologue, and the way our beliefs, which arise from our experiences, shape our perception of the present. I stopped writing as I pondered the ways we can break free from that stricture (in particular, when our beliefs cause us discontent). One thing David wrote really struck me: “I just need to relax and look inside myself to feel the blessing.” I see I have been caught up in the idea that I have to LOOK for peace inside myself….now it seems more true to me that I have only to relax, and the blessing and I will find each other…peace is always here….it is I (my thoughts, actions, beliefs, etc.) that went away…