To my mind, the idea that doing dishes is unpleasant can occur only when you aren’t doing them. Once you are standing in front of the sink with your sleeves rolled up and your hands in the warm water, it is really quite pleasant. I enjoy taking my time with each dish, being fully aware of the dish, the water, and each movement of my hands. I know that if I hurry in order to eat dessert sooner, the time of washing dishes will be unpleasant and not worth living. That would be a pity, for each minute, each second of life is a miracle. The dishes themselves and that fact that I am here washing them are miracles! ~Thich Nhat Hanh

“Loneliness is the poverty of self; solitude is richness of self.” ~May Sarton

I think we are and will always
be lonely people in a lonely
world under lonely stars.
We can never starve our loneliness.
We can only hope that by the
company of others,
it doesn’t devour us.
~Testy McTesterson

The moon is a loyal companion. It never leaves.
It’s always there, watching, steadfast, knowing us
in our light and dark moments, changing forever
just as we do. Every day it’s a different version of itself.
Sometimes weak and wan, sometimes strong and full of light.
The moon understands what it means to be human.
Uncertain. Alone. Cratered by imperfections.

~Tahereh Mafi

When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you. ~Shannon L. Alder

"The various features and aspects of human life, such as longevity, good health, success, happiness, and so forth, which we consider desirable, are all dependent on kindness and a good heart."
~Dalai Lama

http://leelavadeeflower.blogspot.com/2014/10/there-is-no-religion-without-love.html

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It is only with true love and compassion
that we can begin to mend what is broken
in the world. It is these two blessed things
that can begin to heal all broken hearts.

~Steve Maraboli

http://leelavadeeflower.blogspot.com/2014/10/to-mend-what-is-broken.html

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"Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." ~Desmond Tutu

The lotus is the most beautiful flower, whose petals open one by one. But it will only grow in the mud. In order to grow and gain wisdom, first you must have the mud — the obstacles of life and its suffering. … The mud speaks of the common ground that humans share, no matter what our stations in life. … Whether we have it all or we have nothing, we are all faced with the same obstacles: sadness, loss, illness, dying and death. If we are to strive as human beings to gain more wisdom, more kindness and more compassion, we must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each petal one by one. ~Goldie Hawn

http://leelavadeeflower.blogspot.com/2014/10/where-you-are.html

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Ellie-Mae, the French bulldog, spotted a perfect play-time opportunity when she found a wild deer in the back garden. They played for about 30 minutes.

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“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

Winning gives birth to hostility.
Losing, one lies down in pain.
The calmed lie down with ease,
having set winning & losing aside.

~Dhammapada, The Buddha

We are not going to change the whole world, but we can change ourselves and feel free as birds. We can be serene even in the midst of calamities and, by our serenity, make others more tranquil. Serenity is contagious. If we smile at someone, he or she will smile back. And a smile costs nothing. We should plague everyone with joy. If we are to die in a minute, why not die happily, laughing?

― Swami Satchidananda

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend. Someone who changes your life just by being a part of it. Someone who makes you laugh until you can’t stop. Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is forever friendship. When you’re down and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirit and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. Your forever friend gets you through the hard times, the sad times and the confused times. If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you and cheers you on. Your forever friend holds your hand and tells you that everything is going to be okay. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy and complete because you need not worry. You have a forever friend, and forever has no end. ~Author Unknown