Our true home is in the present moment. To live in the present moment is a miracle. The miracle is not to walk on water. The miracle is to walk on the green Earth in the present moment, to appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.
Peace is all around us, in the world, and in nature, and within us, in our bodies and spirits.
Once we learn to touch this peace, we will be healed and transformed. It is not a matter of faith; it is a matter of practice.
If your cup is small, a little bit of salt will make the water salty. If your heart is small, then a little bit of pain can make you suffer. Your heart must be large.
~~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~~
69 comments:
I adore this beautiful man. Thank you for the lovely quote from him and the gorgeous illustration.
Here's to now!
I don't know where you get these but the philosophy within them is phenomenal. You are without doubt, one of the strongest, most positive, awesome people I know on the blogosphere. I am so sorry I don't know you as a flesh and blood friend. You make me feel awful for whining and so fortunate for my station in life. The miracle for us all is indeed to walk on the green Earth in the present moment and to appreciate the 'now'. I don't know a soul with a heart larger! OK have to go now I'm gushing.
Yeah Renee, miracle isn't fly high in the sky, but walking on the earth with peace...here's a quote that I found in the internet,
"Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth."
-Henry David Thoreau
Beautiful post and amazing art. Your blog is lovely!
That final paragraph especially is helpful.
This moment is eternal.
Isn't that just the perfect reminder?! Thank you!! I am going to live this day as though it is a miracle from beginning to end - with a big heart! Exactly how you live... Love, Silke
I love Thich Nhat Hahn - he seems to really live the peace he talks about, and has ample reason to feel bitter but does not. A heart as wide as the world - I keep working on it.
How much do I love you, Renee? A lot. More than that. Your heart is the biggest I have ever seen. :) xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox Pam
Beautiful words and it is all we can do so it is sad so much time is spent worrying about the future or regretting the past. I am very sorry to read about your friend Renee.
Lots of love, Sarah xx
The miracle of now. To appreciate the moment the peace you have now. It is very difficult to do yet I do try to focus on the moments in my life when all is right with the world, even though they may be brief.
So simple. So powerful. So true.
Thank you Renee. What a wonderful way to start off my day.
Yes.... the miracle is to enjoy each moment .... one day at a time..... one step at a time. We must open our hearts and accept all the love we are given.
Love you Renee!!
manon
xo
Beautiful hon..so deeply true and words I so truly needed to hear this morning. Thank you hon. Love you and hope you are feeling well. Hugs to your sis!! Love, Sarah
I just read that recently in a book I have by him and it's one of my favorite quotes. He's a true Buddha, a peace-loving man. Love the picture, too. Blessings & Love...
The moment I read the first few words I recognised Thay's voice... Thay is what the Community of Interbeing practitioners calls Thich Nhat Hanh. It means 'teacher' but in a loving way.
Yesterday I went a Sangha meeting and practised sitting and walking meditation and we chanted for the nuns in Bat Nha monastery where the violence has escalated. It was lovely! Sending lots of peaceful breathing to you, and I'll take you with me the next Sangha :)
Yes, dear Renee, your heart must be large. And your heart is one of the largest.
Hugs and love,
xoxoxo
Angela
amen .
BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL POST RENEE .
could you be any more amazing and wise and dear?
i don't think you. you are the perfect friend and the perfect healer for every present moment.
always, moon sister. not a moment less.
xoxo
Beautiful -- I needed to read this today -- thank you, Renee!
Beautiful, BEAUTIFUL post Renee!
Love, Darla
The only life we have is this moment, so we had better enjoy it.
Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is amystery
so enjoy today, it is all we can rely on.
oh Renee, I love this x a million. The painting is sooo lovely but the words really spoke to me. Thank you dear friend.
xo-jj
Although we don't seem to share the same true home, I do love that quote at the end about the small cup and small heart. It's a keeper.
P.S. In case you're wondering, my true home is Heaven, and I can enjoy my travels on earth no matter where they take me, because by faith I know I'm just a stranger passing through.
How very beautiful!
Hmn, should be normal sized. Large heart is called cardiomegaly and is fatal. One should learn to live and love "big" with a normal sized heart and if anyone thinks I am being too literal, yes I am. I want to be. So there!
How true and beautiful is that. I needed that today as I have been overwhelmed and running around without my head :-). This moment is all we have. I love the painting too. Kisses and hugs, Annie
P.S. I so agree with Baino.
Dear Raven Sister,
How did you know this was the exact thought I was having today?
I adore that man.
I adore you.
xoxoxo
Lolo
Hi it's Carrie from carriejoyart - thanks for coming by the other day. WOW your blog is amazing. I will definitely be a regular!
Carrie
Hi Renee!!!
this is beautiful...you are amazing....you always find the neatest things to share with us...things that make us think...things that make us grow and learn....I love it!!!
Hugsssssssssssssssss
Diana
Good morning Renee amiga. That's a wonderful quote to live by. So today I will live it as if there is no tomorrow. I will find fault in no one, I will smile and even now as I type I smile, while I exercise I will smile, wherever I go whatever I do today I will live in the present and in peace. Thanks for this quote, now I go exercise....well in a little while. Take care.::hugs::
This is so true. It's easy for us to get so wrapped up in life that we forget to step back and see the beauty of it all.
God bless you for this post today...it is a gift you have shared with us all!
Isn't that the truth? When I live my days feeling that the miracle is in the moment, I am astounded and grateful for all that I have.
Beautiful....You have a heart the size of all outdoors. I thank you for that!
(((HUGS)))
gorgeous, gorgeous post. the painting is lovely, and the words are so inspiring--they make my heart grow as i read them! thank you, dear renee...
LOVE THIS! Explains how you deal with what you have been dealt and how you just keep giving as you do. Your heart is as vast as the universe, I swear...I really do swear.
Such a beautifully gorgeous art find to go with philosophy.
KISS****
Hmmmm, me thinks that the comment I tried to leave was rejected...I am one of THOSE quick clickers, and only saw a flash...typo in the verification?
no truer words my friend, and what a great image!
sending love, in this moment, right now,
xoxox Karin
Beautiful sentiment and art, darling Renee. I am reaching for peace, believe me. My hands are outstretched, and I can almost...almost touch it. Just a little bit more, and I am there.
How are you holding up, dearest?
yes, yes, yes...amen...
"remember, be here now"
This is so beautiful and so truthful. Perfect for this season when we can forget why we are here. Excellent news...Ryan has completed his final mission!!! AND, wait, there's more...I got my turkey yesterday. I can now breathe. **blows kisses** Deb
Me again. Sorry, but I can't get this post and these words and this painting out of my mind. I should be doing so many other things right now, but I need to make one more comment, dear Renee.
I often think about how everything is a miracle. Every little bug and blade of grass, soil, water. Birds flying and singing. All things living and inanimate. The entire Universe and its mysteries.
Especially since I've had children, I've thought of these miracles all around us. How, out of all the eggs and all the sperm, two meet and dance and form a perfectly unique human being. And how these human beings, all over the world and throughout time, have lived unique lives. Some short, some long. All important, in some way.
And I think of all the minds that needed to come together to design something as miraculous as the internet and blogging. So that hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people could find you and get to hear your voice in the wise words you write for us all to see.
Miracles are all around us, if we take the time to look.
I'm glad I found you, dear friend, dear miracle.
Hugs and love,
xoxoxo
Angels
Exactly! It's amazing how many people have not learned (through practice and sheer will) to just be still. It is as if this is something so difficult to do...everyone rushes and fidgits and thinks of everything except Now! How sad that is!
When I walk with my dog around the lake, we stop and just sit there...for a good long while, breathing the air, feeling the breeze tickle my hair and face...close my eyes and just listen. It's amazing how much you can hear when you close your eyes.
But like with everything else, it takes practice, but it is something I highly recommend ;-)
Bless you, Renee!
I love Thich Nhat Hanh... and have read his works... He's got such a wise perception of the world, life and spirit. I love the picture you included with this quote.
When I get all these kits I'm doing for the class I'll write..
I'm beyond over-whelmed right now. : )
I love you ~Pattee
What an absolutely lovely painting to go with the absolutely loving saying. I need to keep that in mind. Where do you get all this wonderful images?
A wonderful quote-thank you Renee. The art work is just beautiful too!
That's absolutely beautiful, Renee... and so true. Have yourself a beautiful day.
Nevine
Oh, so now you have to go and get all philosophical on my ass. (hee, hee).
I hope you are well, my friend. I said this to another blog pal of mine today, and I'll say it to you: Keep your head up, because that's the only way you're gonna see what's coming!
Perfect words for this perfect moment...Thank you for helping me remember what is important...yet again!!! :)
Bless your heart today dear Renee! Thinking of YOU!!!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hallelujah! And the deeper you go into the moment (with practice)the more you can truly effect the world with your BIG HEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
much love
OH, Renee, I read this believing that you wrote this. And even though someone else's name falls after it, I do believe you write this every day.
These.are.words.to.live.by.
I shall print them out, roll them into a cylinder, and poke myself in the ass with them when needed. Thank you.
xo
erin
You are the only woman in my life with great wisdom. I love you dear friend and raven sister....
xxoxooxoxox
The miracle of being alive in the moment...is eternity in itself.
Each time I think I've heard all the best quotes, my small mind opens to read one more, and my heart expands a little.
Thank you.
Bless Bless Bless. I am so happy you wrote this beautiful Renee. Thich Nhat Hanh is a favorite. Yes to all his wisdom.
I like that painting so much except for that scary looking head in the bottom right hand corner. But the owl, oh my!
lovely. thank you
Beautiful post Renee and lovely to see you again!:)
This philosophy on life is very true. I try to practice living in the present everyday but life does throw things at us humans, that makes us loose that sense of inner peace and balance...
Meditation gives me a calm mind and keeps me living in the present, although it is not always easy...
Wonderful image and words. Thank you for sharing this thought for the day.
Much love. Jo.x
Renee - I have been thinking about you and Jacquie and just wanted to send you both my love. xoxox Pam
I agree with another commenter, that passage sounds like you wrote it. Such beautiful imagery.
You are truly an instrument of God! You convey what love and PEACE are all about!
I find your blog, your shared art, and your beautiful soul, such a joy to be apart of!
Live happy in the moment and joyful of the privilege!
N-Peace
I just re-read everyone's comments here, and I notice I signed my second comment "Angels" instead of "Angela". How strange is that? It was unintentional and I didn't see it until just now. Did you notice that? I wonder if it means anything.
I'm sorry I made you cry with those words yesterday, dear one. I never, ever, want to cause you any distress.
xoxoxo
I love this man and everything he says. I once went on a mindfulness walk with him in New York City. It took us about four hours to walk five blocks. Amazing experience...
He is one of my favorites - thank you for the quote! XO
That is a powerful quote ... so amazing.
really beautiful. love the colors.
omg this rings so true for me.
love and hugs.
OK I just agree with everyone else.
They have spoken the truth about you and I can not say it any better.
Luv,
Katelen
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