To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk
or an evening saunter;
to be thrilled by the stars at night;
to be elated over a bird’s nest
or a wildflower in spring
– these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

~ John Burroughs

Unforgiveness is the poison you drink every day
hoping that the other person will die.

~ Debbie Ford

A cat’s jaw can only move back to front, not side to side.  This makes sense because they are predators (meat-eaters), rather than grazers (plant-eaters). Cats don’t really have nine lives…that myth became a popular saying because cats have keen senses and quick reflexes – and they tend to survive dangerous situations that other animals may not. Source: mspca

The truth that many people never understand, until it is too late, is that the more you try to avoid suffering the more you suffer because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you in proportion to your fear of being hurt. ~Thomas Merton

Puppies and kittens can be adopted as early as 8 weeks of age.  Until then, they should stay with their moms and littermates. The top five favorite breeds of dogs in the US are: Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Beagle, and Dachshund. Source: mcpca

This morning, as I kindle the fire on my heart,
I pray that the flame of God’s love may burn in
my heart and in the hearts of all I meet today.

I pray that no envy or malice,
no hatred or fear, may smother the flame.

I pray that indifference and apathy, contempt and pride,
may not pour like cold water on the fire.

Instead, may the spark of God’s love
light the love in my heart,
that it may burn brightly through the day.

And may I warm those who are lonely,
whose hearts are cold and lifeless,
so that all may know the comfort of God’s love.

~From the Gaelic tradition

A loving person lives in a loving world,
A hostile person lives in a hostile world,
Everyone you meet is your mirror.

~ Ken Keyes, Jr

Without a spiritual background, man has no moral responsibility; man without moral responsibility poses danger to society. Virtue is necessary to attain salvation, but virtue alone is not enough. Virtue must be combined with wisdom. Virtue and wisdom are like the pair of wings of a bird. Wisdom can also be compared to the eyes of a man; virtue, to his feet. Virtue can be likened to a vehicle that brings man up to the gate of salvation. But wisdom is the actually key that opens the gate. Virtue is a part of the technique of skillful and noble living. Without any ethical discipline, there cannot be a purification of the defilements of sentient existence.

~Venerable K. Sri Dhammananda

To hate another is to hate yourself.
We all live within the one Universal Mind.
What we think about another, we think about ourselves.
If you have an enemy, forgive him now.
Let all bitterness and resentment dissolve.
You owe your fellow man love; show him love, not hate.
Show charity and goodwill toward others
and it will return to enhance your own life
in many wonderful ways.

~ Brian Adams

White Lily Closeup. Photo credit: Randy Neufeldt