INVICTUS

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley

Mistakes...

(credit 123rf.com via google images)

"Mistakes are the usual bridge between

inexperience and wisdom."

Phyllis Theroux

Failure and Wisdom...

"We learn wisdom from failure much more than from success. We often discover what will do, by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery."

Samuel Smiles

Be.....

"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, 

instead of a second-rate version of somebody else."

Judy Garland

(actress and singer b.June 10, 1922 –  d.June 22, 1969)

Conditioned not to see...

"Most people see what they expect to see, what they want to see, what they've been told to see, what conventional wisdom tells them to see - not what is right in front of them in its pristine condition."

Vincent Bugliosi

(see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vincent_Bugliosi)

Reaching the highest...

"If you wish to reach the highest, 

begin at the lowest." 

Publilius Syrus

(Latin writer ca 85 bc)

Flame...

“The flame that burns twice as

bright burns half as long.” 

Lao Tzu

My home...

"A man's homeland is wherever he prospers."

Aristophanes

Yes!

Eternity...

If you understand others you are smart.
If you understand yourself you are illuminated.
If you overcome others you are powerful.
If you overcome yourself you have strength.
If you know how to be satisfied you are rich.
If you can act with vigor, you have a will.
If you don't lose your objectives
you can be long-lasting.
If you die without loss, you are eternal.”

Lao Tzu
Tao Te Ching

The reason....

"There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there."

Paulo Coelho

Seeds...

"If we plant poisonous seeds in the ground, 

all the trees and fruit become poisonous 

plants. So, the delusions are like poisonous seeds."

Lama Zopa Rinpoche

LONELINESS

"Why are we bored, lonely and lazy? Because we don't have the will to totally open our hearts to others. If you have the strength of will to totally open your heart to others, you will eliminate laziness, selfishness and loneliness. Actually, the reason you get lonely is that you are not doing anything. If you were busy, you wouldn't have time to get lonely. Loneliness can only enter an inactive mind. If your mind is dull and your body inactive, then you get lonely. Basically, this comes from a selfish attitude, concern for yourself alone. That is the cause of loneliness, laziness and a closed heart."

LAMA YESHE RINPOCHE

Wisdom. and knowledge

“The wise man is one who knows 

what he does not know.” 

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

Tolle wisdom...

PATRUL RINPOCHE

All the various thoughts are laid out like the features of a game,
For the child-like power of awareness to play with non-attachment,
The old mothers of the six realms take their seats as compassion's focus,
And the offerings, sources of merit, are shared by dedication’s skilful hands.

All this talk of realising and seeing, it’s all so hollow!
Forget bliss and clarity, they’re just temporary highs!
Cultivate emptiness of which compassion is the essence,
And your own and others’ welfare is assured, it’s said.

Even a hundred years of exertion born of expectation for reward,
Will only postpone the supreme accomplishment, we're told.
But on the path of the six pāramitās free from the seven attachments,
Even without enlightenment in this lifetime, there'll be no regret!

Truth...

“The truth is not always beautiful, 

nor beautiful words the truth.” 

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

Courage types...

"A man with outward courage dares to die; 

a man with inner courage dares to live.” 

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching