“Those who love giving advice on our garden never tend their own plant” (Paulo Coelho)
If there is anything that i have become increasingly overwhelmed by recently, besides the pressure, desires and uncertainty, it’s the idea of being alone.
Not lonely. Just alone.
Even though I enjoy my downtime, I still spend more time thinking about others and caring for others than I do for myself.
I trust easily. Give willingly. Fall hard.
All for my friends, family, significant others, strangers who have left an impression, those in need, etc. This sounds great in theory, and of course it’s a wonderful thing to be able to be selfless and kind and compassionate, but at what expense of your own?
Learn from me. Be your own best friend. It’s great to have a support system surrounding you but it’s important to be able to stand on your own two feet and take a walk by yourself.
It’s incredible to be able to talk yourself through the hard times first and foremost and then have your friends and family as secondary, backup support.
You’re not doing anybody any good, even if your intentions are in place by neglecting your needs to take on those of others. It’s like they say on the plane, first place your oxygen mask, then help those around you. If you are trying to help someone else first and run out of air, then you’re not doing anybody else any good.
If you had a healthier, more loving relationship with yourself, imagine how much better of a family member, friend, significant other and social service member you could be.
Imagine the confidence this builds, the security, the self love, the compassion, the kindness, the patience…
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I have a first hand experience of this post. I too was of selfless nature. But something overwhelmingly beautiful happened when i started standing up for myself. I started experiencing the love and guidance of God, when i started putting myself before others (not to the extent of selfishness, but to the extent of protecting myself and not being bullied). It was difficult for me, and i still have to fight my demons (guilt trap that makes me feel that i’m selfish) when i stand up for myself. But the best proof that this is the right way forward is the feeling of peace and happiness and the priceless gift of being able to feel the love and presence of God.
Hi Dear , what about Farsi ?! Farsi or Parsi is a language that some people have spoken whit in Asia such as Iran, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. I know so many people that they love you and your book.
thank you .
Hola Buen amigo, Me puedes ayudar, estoy sufriendo de Depresion y no se como enfrentarlo, ni siquiera pence que me pudiera pasar, por favor dime que hacer…es terrible, todas las cosas que me dan a nibel fisico, estoy en un tratamiento neurologico pero tengo que tener otras herramientas, Escribeme por favor.-
This is so true of me as well. I was told this last night a a “life-coach, yoga instructor”. I have always been a giving person to the point of neglecting myself emotionally. Now that I’m allowing myself to be guided, I’m seeing myself from a “third” person point of view. I find that as I look at myself this way I can take care of myself more.
I agree with Paulo….it is great to help someone and enjoy their happiness, but in the end you are with yourself, always. You can have friends and family, but if you don’t know yourself, it really is painful. I didn’t understand loneliness until I moved out of the house…I sort of knew it in the random, small lonely moments one can have by themselves. Until I was really on my own, dealing with who I was and who I wanted to be…you realize that you are the only person who will be with you throughout your entire life. Every minute of every day. So….I agree that it is important to get to know yourself among the everyday activities one calls daily life. I have helped others at the expense of helping myself….and it hurts even after everyone is happy because you aren’t. If you don’t help yourself and only help others, sometimes you feel a bit disconnected because you aren’t content with who you are. This is probably one of the difficult challenges in life: finding yourself and continuing to do so until the end. Good luck everyone in finding yourself….I know I am still on that journey.
I love this entry so much and it speaks to me on many different levels. I whole heartedly believe in the idea of looking after yourself first which in turn allows you to then be able to look after others in your life. I’ve often quoted the plane scenario to others, it’s one of my favourites to describe looking after yourself.
Alone time for many is something they avoid – when in actual fact it is an amazing opportunity to as you say ‘get to know yourself better’. I know people who are never alone – except when they sleep.
I recently went to Bali for a 10 day sabbatical. The time I spent on my own was priceless and I came home rejuvenated: a better mother, partner, friend and daughter.
During my break I read Aleph and was so inspired (as per usual) by your writing that I couldn’t help but turn pages of particularly insightful passages and highlight parts that I would read and reread. So inspired I was, that I named my new children’s book publishing company ‘The Little Train’ in reference to Aleph (launched November 2011).
At any rate – it’s this exact type of thinking that has brought me to where I am now, which in turn has made me the happiest I think I’ve ever been. But it has also allowed me to be sad and to not feel overwhelmed or like I can’t soothe myself if I don’t feel fantastic.
Bravo – outstanding post. As per usual, I take my hat off to you Mr Coelho.
thank you sir for sharing this.. this fight of thoughts was going on into my mind for quite some time.. evn i came to same conclusion.. thanks once again..:)
Thats unbeleivable!I have been feeling guided about this and this guidance has beencoming repeatedly tome.I think when guidance starts coming,obviously it starts coming when the mind is quiet and it comes NOT in words and comes repeatedly and then again and again one receives signs and ‘omens’ as Paulo calls them from the universe /existance to pay heed and finally since th mind is used to words-someone words to for you as if existance is screaming it out to you,laying it out on a platter for you!
I think this is also part of the ascension process that many of us are feeling it and entering the New Age of the Heart!I wish Paulo would write more about that!!
glorious blessings
Chandni
I’m so glad for u’r candid sharing of experience. As Paulo says, ‘..then people don’t feel alone’. Yes…the ‘again and again’ experience! Are we entering a ‘New age’ that many are feeling this?
Hmm … agree to a certain extent …
Some say all lives are connected, therefore by helping others, you are in some way helping yourself. I do believe this, call it Karma or whatever, but when I see someone smile because I did something, even if against my will, that is reward enough, it makes me happy. I have learnt to live alone, but even so it’s much better when people are around … you rise, you fall … ah, all a matter of perspective … life would be too boring without ups and downs after all !
To stay in theme … there are some plants in this world that can only grow if the plant they are attached to grows as well …
Ciao !
Vinz
Very True!!!!
And I agree with you.
It is human nature that they dont value any thing they are getting in free.I am 24 years old and all i have learned from my life is that wheneva we love others madly,we sacrifice for them and after some time they take our love and care as possession they think that we are trying to obsess ourself upon them.Many think that we are depending upon them for each and every matter of life this feel gives them a proud to consider their-self main,powerfull and strong and suddenly they start feeling loath for us as they start considering us weak,puny and inert and they turn to be cruel and brutal.And all that we get in reward of our love and care is pain.
So yes we must love ourselves first.
Self – FULL – ness instead of self-less-ness… If we are Self-FULL we have more power to be there for others than we do is we are Self-less.
LLEGA A MI ESTE BLOG EN EL MOMENTO INDICADO PARECERIA QUE A VECES NUESTRO ANGEL NOS PONE LA RESPUESTA A NUESTRAS INCOGNITAS HOY ESTE BLOG ME HA HECHO PENSAR Y DECIDIR A SER MAS AMOROSA CONMIGO MISMA A QUERERME MAS A CUIDARME MAS A NO DAR DEMASIADO OCASIONANDOME ESCASES A MI MISMO Y TAMBIEN DEBO DECIR A NO ESPERAR NADA DE NADIE PORQUE CUANDO DAMOS DAMOS Y DAMOS COMENZAMOS A CREER QUE EL RESTO DEBE TAMBIEN SER ASI Y LA REALIDAD ES OTRA GRACIAS POR ABRIR MI PENSAMIENTO Y MIS OJOS A TIEMPO SR PAULO LO QUIERO MUCHO PORQUE UD NOS ENSENA CADA DIA
Putting others before you is a great principle. But we do deserve time for ourselves. It is in loving & respecting ourselves that we learn more how to understand and manifest our positive intentions for our fellowmen.
True! If you give to yourself then you will be able to give more to others :)
A propos de votre phrase : “Those who love giving advice on our garden never tend their own plant” (Paulo Coelho), j’ai lu récemment un ouvrage d’un jeune auteur Lyonnais, Jean-François Gaubert qui à travers quelques nouvelles, illustre la nature humaine avec ses chagrins, défauts, travers, et faiblesses, et on trouve une phrase qui rejoint la vôtre et que je vous soumets: “La race humaine est ainsi faite: inapte à s’occuper de ses propres oignons, elle préfère s’occuper des échalotes des autres pour trouver un élément de comparaison et accessoirement casser le bulbe des citoyens tranquilles dont je fais partie.” N’est-ce pas une métaphore savoureuse ? M Ch G
C’est delicieux.
S. Bechet est ce un peche
j’ai lu quelque part egalement que si on pele on oignon en entier on y decouvre quelque chose
Devinez~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PS – Ca fait partie de l’;entrainement :)
Tenez moi au courant.
Bonne journee.
O M Ch
German Translation
Mein Persönlichkeits-Paradoxon
“ Diejenigen, die es lieben Ratschläge für unseren Garten zu geben, kümmern sich nie um ihre eigenen Pflanzen.” (Paulo Coelho)
Von Sahaj Kohli
Wenn es irgendetwas gibt, von dem ich in letzter Zeit immer häufiger übermannt wurde, neben Streß, Wünschen und Unsicherheiten, ist es die Idee davon, allein zu sein. Nicht einsam. Nur allein. Auch wenn ich meine Ruhezeiten genieße, verbringe ich immer noch mehr Zeit damit, an andere zu denken und mich um andere zu sorgen, als ich es für mich selbst tue. Ich bin leichtgläubig. Gebe bereitwillig. Falle hart. Alles für meine Freunde, Familie, Lebensgefährten, Fremde die einen Eindruck hinterlassen haben, Menschen in Not, etc. Das klingt großartig in der Theorie, und natürlich ist es eine wunderbare Sache in der Lage sein, selbstlos, freundlich und mitfühlend zu sein, aber zu welchem Kosten für einen selbst?
Lerne von mir. Sei dein eigener bester Freund. Es ist großartig, ein Support-System um dich herum zu haben, aber es ist wichtig, auf eigenen Füßen stehen zu können und eine Strecke für sich gehen zu können. Es ist wunderbar, in der Lage sein, zuerst sich selbst durch die harten Zeiten zu bringen und dann die Freunde und Familie als sekundäre, Backup-Unterstützung zu haben. Du tust niemandem etwas Gutes, auch wenn deine Absichten gut gemeint sind, deine Bedürfnisse zu vernachlässigen, um die der anderen zu erfüllen. Es ist wie sie es im Flugzeug sagen, setze zuerst die Sauerstoffmaske auf, dann hilf deinen Nachbarn. Wenn du versuchst, jemand anderem Erste Hilfe zu leisten und dir die Luft ausgeht, dann tust du niemand anderem etwas Gutes.
Selle dir vor, wenn du eine gesündere, liebevollere Beziehung zu dir selbst hättest, ein wie viel besseres Familienmitglied, besserer Freund, Lebensgefährte und Mitarbeiter in sozialen Dienst du sein könntest. Stelle dir das Vertrauen die dies mit sich bringt, die Sicherheit, die Eigenliebe, das Mitgefühl, die Güte, die Geduld ………vor.
Ich glaube von ganzem Herzen, dass die Fähigkeit jederzeit und in allen Lebenslagen für sich selbst da zu sein, eine Lebenskunst ist, die jeder lernen und beherrschen sollte. Das ist nicht egoistisch, weil die langfristigen Auswirkungen auf egoistische Weise selbstlos sind. Je besser du zu dir selbst sein kannst, desto besser kannst du für den Rest der Welt da sein.
Und jetzt würde ich mir gern die Zeit nehmen, dich dir selbst vorstellen. Genieße deine Gesellschaft, freue dich, mehr über dich selbst zu lernen, und genieße es, dich um dich selbst zu kümmen. Wie ich höre, bist du ziemlich großartig.
No one can help others if he does not start by helping himself. No one can take care of others if does not take care of himself. No one can fight the darkness in he world if he does not fight his own darkness “each one have darkness”. And finally as C.G. Jung said “If you don’t love yourself completely, how do you expect anyone else to?”
C.G.Jung
No me forceis a que os hable, a que os cuide, a que os diga….
No me obligueis, ni me forceis a nada; No habeis visto la ayuda,ni la dedicación. Sólo veis lo que queréis ver.
Mientras tanto;: buscaré un sitio en mi sitio.
Envíame un Angel.
siempre estamos tratando de complacer a los demas o bueno ese es mi caso y si todo mundo al principio es bueno y lo recibe con agrado pero al fina la mayoria de las veces terminan aprovechandose y tu te quedas como si nada pues apesar de que hiciste lo posible para complacer nada es suficiente ni siquiera para uno mismo terminas mas triste y sintiendote aun mas solo
es complicada aprender de uno mismo yo pienso que jamas terminas conociendote ni a ti mismo pues siempre reaccionas de una manera distinta en diferntes sircustancias, siempre hay algo nuevo algo distinto par mas minimo que sea porseso hay que mantener una conversasion con uno mismo constante para tratar de ir aprendiendo con el alma que otra cosa nos queda somos humanos cuando das es tan gratificante pero el problema no esta en los que dan sino en los que reciben pues para la mayoria siempre se queda esperando mas y se acostumbran a recibir y no a dar y siempre esperan mas y mas sin nunga tener un limite por que si das por ejempol oy un 100% de ti manana quedran un 110% y asi susesibamente el punto es que trates de agradarte a ti mas que a las demas personas que agas mas por ti por que uno siempre dice io si pienso en mi pero realmente no lo suficiente como deveria
le envio un gran saludo mi admiracion y mi respeto para usted que es la persona que mas admiro pues me trasporta a un mundo mejor atraves de sus libros gracias.
It’s always so great to drop by your blog. Thank you for sharing.
being alone sometimes helps one to connect with the innerself.
i realised i could write poetry, as i had no one to share my feelings with.
Exceotional motivational literatures available.
Thanks, Paulo.
Querido Paulo,desde que leí su primer libro, hace diez años exactamente, mi vida ha dado un vuelco notable..y he esperado estos diez años para decirle, porque interiormente siempre pensé que lo bueno seria pasajero,sin embargo cada día he vivido aprendiendo y dando el siguiente paso..y sin mirar atrás.Agradezco cada día todo lo que me tocó.Es verdad.. lo que deseamos lo tenemos.En algún momento debo contarle, porqué usted tiene que ver en estos diez años ,le mando un gran abrazo y toda mi admiración y respeto.
my thoughts.. but not exactly.
we’re still in some kind of war, me and myself..
but it’s not as awful as it used to be. so maybe we’re already getting near the end of this seemingly-never-ending war. :-)
i don’t believe in those worn-out phrases like “i’d give my everything/life/all”
because it’s a lie. i’m too selfish. i won’t give myself to anybody or for anything. i selfishly hoard all of my pain, but will share my joy, with the first person i meet. i just can’t help it. : ) because if i didn’t, i’d burst into pieces.
i never understood it, but joy is way harder to contain than any sort of pain.
Tiene todo mi apoyo
Todo ha sido para los demás y al final el propio interior se quiebra.
Cuánta verdad asoma en este texto recién publicado. Cuánta necesidad de paz, de escuchar el alma, de bailar a su ritmo. Y cuánta necesidad de no perderme en el camino. Hoy he conseguido pararme en mis propios pies: y he visto la paz. Estoy muy agradecida.
Acredito que as pessoa se atraem .
Pessoas boas se atraem com pessoas boas . Pessoas más com pessoas más .
às vezes se mistura um pouco , mas no geral nós sempre estamos em contato com as pessoas que tem a mesma sintonia que a nossa .
Nós , quando nos ajudamos , não estamos apenas ajudando a nós mesmos , estamos ajudando a todos aqueles que pensam de forma parecida com a nossa .
Eu sempre gostei mais de ficar só do que em aglomeração . Não gosto daquela solidão triste , mas sim de uma solidão particular , mas ás vezes gosto de estar em aglomeração . Mas no geral prefiro estar só .
E curiosamente sempre encontro pessoas que como eu gostam de ficar só . E sempre nascem amizades maravilhosas que até hoje nunca se acabaram e eu acredito que nunca vão se acabar .( A semelhança une as pessoas ) .
” eu ainda gasto mais tempo pensando sobre os outros e cuidando dos outros do que eu faço por mim mesmo. ”
” Você não está fazendo bem a ninguém, mesmo que suas intenções estão em vigor por negligenciar as suas necessidades para assumir as dos outros. ”
Eu posso dizer que sou individualista , não ao ponto de fazer os outros sofrerem , e nem ao ponto de sofrer pelos outros . ( no sentido conotativo e não denotativo ) .
Mas como tinha dito , acredito que as pessoas se atraem . E quando penso em mim , encontro vários problemas , e estranhamente encontro várias pessoas com os mesmos problemas que o meu .
Quando pensamos muito em ajudar os outros , não conseguimos achar onde estamos errando , sendo assim não ajudamos nem aos outros nem a nós mesmos.
Quando pensamos em nos ajudar , identificamos os nossos erros e encontramos pessoas com os mesmos erros que os nossos . Na maioria das vezes as pessoas se identificam e procuram mesmo que inconscientemente ajudar a outra pessoa , e consequentemente está ajudando a si mesma . Pois se temos os mesmos erros , e estamos ajudando uma pessoa a resolver o seu erro , também estamos resolvendo os nossos .
: )
Gracias por escribir. Eres un tipo especial.
Thank you Sahaj Kohli for sharing your thoughts and your experiences with us. I can see myself in so many things you are writing about. It is good to be reminded that you have to take care of yourself first if you really want to help others.
With love and gratitude!
Petra
Today I woke up with the struggle of my day, and it was exactly about this. Yesterday I had a sign of what was the next step of the fight I am fighting right now. I saw how harsh I keep being on myself and this time I just asked myself why? My angel told me she’d give me the answer in a dream this time, and so she did. This morning I had it.
It was about a fear rooted to my very early childhood, a fear of hurting others, but still it wasn’t relieving so I asked another why? and more questions. Why did I find it hard to stand on my two feet and enjoy that. So when I saw this post I thought one more time: “Unbelievable!!!”
Unbelievable how in such crucial moments I come here and find something important to my situation, just talking to me. But this time it wasn’t from Paulo but from a reader…
When I read it I felt hurt, cause I couldn’t fit in these words although I “knew” they’re right. Than I left that to hope and faith in finding out my answers soon… And so it happened… :D
It was about time. In my mind there started a resume of everything that I had realized until that moment, of the old traumas I had been holding in myself while having had forgotten about them but the hollow was still there. About the way and the environment I was raised and the beliefs I had in me until that moment and about something I was never taught about: That I am self sufficient. I need nothing outer to myself to be happy.
I remember I used to live in Paradise in a very early age. I knew what I wanted, whom I wanted and what I didn’t care at all about and I was Happy.
But then I started forgetting until I died completely inside with this formula of life that I had. [Needs & Love = Fear & Freedom]
I was taught I am dependent on others because I as them need each others help when in need.
That took roots in me although I always hated and fought against the formula. Something was rebelling and it must have been a wonderful memory of those early times when I knew that there is PARADISE on this Planet and that we are here, we are many to see and explore in us the beauty and wanders of all that is created and of the creator. And what I always knew that love has to bee always free, because of free will and never conditioned.
In those moments I finally found place in myself and I almost burst in tears of joy. A wonderful feeling of total bliss conquered me and all felt so intense. I felt so in love with everything. The sounds of the automobiles, of the wind and the water that made me cry of joy. Than the sight and all the rest. I felt happy as then. Happy to be on Earth and all made so much sense without me knowing it.
I thanked the Aleph for this (it felt like it was it again doing this) since it has been of a great help to me together with my guardian angel and all the other angels on Earth, but that’s another story that I hope I can tell someday… :)
Love
Olta
Boiled down to its essence: If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.
Having had a mother and being one myself, I can attest to the truth of of those plainspoken words. We owe it to ourselves and those around us to rise to our highest self (or learn how by reading the books, doing the therapy, writing the journal entries that will lead us there).
Thanks for your wise words!
Мы шли с тобой тогда вдвоём.
Я одиноко бредила тобой,а ты был одинок с другой.
Я к одиночеству привык,ты мне сказал.
И одинокий..одиноко дальше побежал.(Я и Мы.Далекое и Близкое)
На тамбурине чёрная играла.
На белом скакуне невеста мимо проплывала.
И девять муз кружились в танце между ними.
Покуда сокола на перекладине-те в фокусе все были.
( Так Лоренцетти одиночество живо писал)
So true, and so good to read this!! Thank you!
what I learned from the not-so-long-years I already spent:
Love yourself first before you love others.
It may sounds selfish but considering these:
If you couldn’t love yourself, neglecting your own health, dreams, happiness, what could you share with others? Sacrifice for others sounds heroic, but if you can be healthy and strong, you can help more people and do it longer! Isn’t that better?
If you forget to be yourself, when loving others, you may end up like them, in a state that you yourself needs help.
And don’t forget to be yourself when you are in love with another one. It is YOU who he or she loved, if you are not the same anymore, he/she may not love you anymore.
Yan
ama il prossimo tuo come te stesso,penso sia una delle espressioni piu’ vere in assoluto.Non è un messaggio che si puo’ riscontrare solo in un contesto religioso,fa parte del vivere.L’ascolto del proprio io ,ci aiuta a comprendere meglio quello che vogliamo per noi,di conseguenza per gli altri.Ognuno di noi conosce quello che è piu’ giusto,il confronto ci fa capire quanto vi è di sbagliato nelle azioni.Sono le azioni a determinare l’essere un uomo.La vera utopia siamo noi ,fino a quando non comprendiamo che il non esserlo è reso tale dall’azione di ogni singolo.Un granello di sabbia puo ‘essere solo un granello di sabbia,una perla,una moltitudine..la sabbia.
To grasp it.. let go
To love it.. is to get it
To leave it.. alOne
I am all alone
Allone with everybody
All I am is one
Who’s the only one
That can know feel see be love
Appreciate me
My remembering
When it all comes together
I am my one love
LoveM
Unbelievable!!!…
I have a Master’s degree in how to teach others (pedagogy/didactic) , how each person learns (learning psychology/motivational psychology/developmental psychology) and how systematically to plan education for entire nations (curriculum).. It is always an interaction between an individual who develops/learns and what the surroundings offer..
The academical world should be about exploring, experimenting, researching, but too much is scholars advising students on a certain discipline. I think this is why i left, and decided against pursuing a Ph.d. Because it is so much more about life, about the spiritual dimension, which blossoms when talents are being the core, and when the garden-principle is carried out. Tend your own plants, and even… let natural land-scaping show us the way… I’ve never seen any cultured garden more beautiful than nature itself..
I had beeen trying to tell myself who is my best friend.. I do not know why i didn’t have even one close friend since chilhood. I have many friends, all are lovely, respectfull, and kind. However, none was the closest.
One day, I realized who is my best friend, it was myself!
Throught my life, I faced obstacles, fears, thoughts… I could understand now how I was supported, it was me, the supporter.
Many thanks to my family and friends who were the backups..
Paulo, thank you very much, you are the translator of our feelings, the auditor of our emotions.. Thank you..
Endless Love,
Zynab..
La verdad es que no me he enterado mucho, porque estoy con una musiquita que he escuchado muchas veces pero que ahora y no antes me produce alegría, quizá porque ahora puedo estar alegre. Supongo que cuando uno tiene lo justo para mantenerse a flote no puede dar demasiado, porque su integridad puede peligrar, quizá es el momento de recluirse en un monasterio, o permanecer solo, o lo que sería mejor, con gente que respetara tu transito, en cualquier caso, independientemente de la estrategia que cada uno, segun su naturaleza, utilice, la alegría vuelve al fin, las pilas están recargadas, se puede ayudar sin ser invadido, y estar solo no significa sentir soledad, es plenitud, y todo lo que venga de más bien venido sea.
Una conquista complicada, pero una vez que lo consigues, la cruz pierde su peso y se transforma en alas, ahora toca reir… os espero en el jardín…
I finally understand … or do I ??? This is a mystery ;-)
I love you …. you are the best ;-) I have learned so much from you …. you are a blessing to the world <3 Have a great day <3
Learning to breathe it is one of the best way to be content with yourself and to love yourself
You have to love yourself before you love others.,
You can know all the theories and understand them Until you learn to be at peace with yourself it’s not going to be of much use to you, That’s my understanding and learning to breathe properly is a direct contact with your soul. Singing helps as well.
‘I have educated my body so that it can manifest every sensation in my soul.
I can dance obeying only my soul.’ Paulo Coelho
With love and thank you for being
Marie-Christine
Walking, Yoga, singing are the first direct contact to my soul,.
It is the fuel for the engine to keep burning,
I recalled the first time I attended the Gospel class,
We sang ‘Kumbaya My Lord’ I was so filled with emotions, I could not utter a sound, I just burst into tears,
Later I was asked ; – What I felt -
I just said ;- the connection – and I thought of the words Paulo said
‘If I can understand what’s going on in the world, I can understand what’s going on inside myself.’
We are one,
Thank you.
Marie-Christine
Great post which contributes to the start of a new week. Let this week be one of inspiration for all of us so we take better care of ourselves.
CANT believe the feedback on my post. thank you everyone and thank you Paulo Coelho for sharing. TRULY means the world to me.
I think that is a fantastic interpretation! That’s just my opinion. Love thy neighbor as thyself .That only works if you love yourself as your neighbor. You can only give something you own. There is much talk currently about change, about revolution. Every revolution which aims to improve the life on our planet must start in one. With love to yourself with all the strengths and weaknesses, in other words, you must change his mind. And that’s the point here, in my opinion. Take care of the plants in your garden. When they bloom, then help your neighbors. One could also formulate unfriendly.
Matthew 7:3-5
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
I wish you all a wonderful day
Thank you! I was reading through the comments and was hoping that someone would go back to one of the oldest teachings on love. Love your neighbor as you love yourself. This is where it all starts. We can only give what we have. I was raised to believe that I have to put myself second (last?), I have to sacrifice, forget about myself, and take care of everyone around me first. That is until I began to ponder on this little phrase. You have to love yourself first. You have to learn to love yourself the way you are, with all you little and big faults and flaws, fears and shortcomings. You have to see this endless well of beauty that rests within you, mend to it, help it grow. Only then you will be able to truly love your neighbor.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to treat with love someone who you do not see that often? Have you ever wondered why? Why does it get harder and harder the closer the person is to you? It gets progressively harder the closer you get to yourself. This love for you requires not just everyday work, but every second work. It could get tiresome. You job is to cultivate the beauty you have inside to the point when you will no longer will be able to contain it, when it will pour out of your heart and soul onto you all those around you. It has been said that beauty will save the world (Dostoevsky). If I will have it to share with you, and you will be ready to accept it, and share yours with me and the others, may be the only kind of revolution that we will witness will be a revolution of love. I am waiting for that day.
Thank you for nice response. I think that the only revolution, the only promises success, must be a revolution of love. It will reveal the true potential of mankind. And for this day I am waiting, like so many others. But waiting is not enough, we must be do something. To act as a role model. I have no idea if this causes something, but certainly it can not hurt. It’s worth a try.
Much love to you, and a wonderful evening to all
Muy cierto, si no tenemos cuidado para con nosotros mismo podemos quedar sin aire en el intento de ayudar a otros. Buenas palabras, Paulo.
Of course, we can’t take care of others if first of all we not well ourselves. Learning to love yourself is crucial. If we keep giving without receiving we’ll eventually end up broke, we’ll run out of fuel.
I love this post Mr.Coelho. Very true and very inspiring.
Thank you
With love
Barbara
That is exactley my struggle, to reach a balance, I am told I do not care for myself enough, I have always been like that, I need others to need me… Or I am worthless.
I give more than I receive, sometimes I am taken advantage of…
I want to find a balance… Because everyone around me is different, and I NEED to be more “normal”, although when I try, I over do it, and the balance is never reached….
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