What I’m thinking about on this November night…

When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace. – Jimi Hendrix

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.  –  Marianne Williamson

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. – His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

It is easy enough to be friendly to one’s friends. But to befriend the one who regards himself as your enemy is the quintessence of true religion. The other is mere business. –  Mohandas Gandhi

Try and live your life the way you wish other people would live theirs. – Raymond Burr

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: that word is love. – Sophocles

There are two ways of spreading light — to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.  – Edith Wharton

It is human nature for us to have differing points of view, to think and act like some and not like others. I am saddened (and, I admit, incredibly angry) when I see what is happening in our country – the hate, the bitterness, the overwhelming fear. When we are unable to hear each others’ opinions, unable to open our minds to new thoughts and our hearts to new experiences, we are lost. It is my belief that if I feel anyone, no matter the color of their skin, their religion, their sex or sexual identity, is a lesser being than I, then I am allowing myself to be ruled by fear, though that fear can wear many disguises. If I am not part of the solution then I am part of the problem. If I am afraid, I cannot truly love.

If you’re here in the US, remember to vote tomorrow. And if you want a good rant on why you should, despite the ugliness of it all, go here.

For our children and our children’s children, let us be forces  for love, equality, acceptance, and stewardship of Mama Earth. Let us have the courage to listen, even when we don’t agree. Let us be brave enough to shine our light into the darkness of our own souls and see where we are the problem.