There is more to life than increasing its speed

It’s a beautiful day here in Daluyon Beach and Mountain Resort in Palawan. I am here for work (more on this in another blogpost but the short of it is The Province of Palawan, Palawan Tourism Council, Department of Tourism and USAID-Advancing Philippine Competitiveness Project have collaborated to launch the World’s Best Island campaign in support to the DOT’s Visit Philippines 2015.)

While at the beachfront yesterday, this dog approached me and even sat beside me, so I took a selfie. Cute ! I took the time to enjoy nature with this adorable dog. Just being zen. Enjoy the moment.

The Zen approach: nothing is there to be done. There is nothing to do. One just has to be. Take a rest and be ordinary and be natural.

These days, I find myself getting busier and busier. I have slowed down considerably as health is still wealth. It is not fun when things become to be a burden. Like Douglas Pagels, I think it is sometimes “..important to work for that pot of gold. But other times it’s essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decision in the day simply consists of choosing which color to slide down on the rainbow.”

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On a lazy Sunday afternoon, I get reminded to just be. I often find myself with my pet cat, Missy who “meowed” asking to be placed on my lap as I watched TV with my husband. My pet never fails to make me smile. I picked her up and placed her on my tummy. She looked so contented. Missy stares at me as if reminding me that I need to be relaxed and be playful. Like always, she massages my belly with her paws. I find it so de-stressing. I am thankful for these quiet times.

I hope you can join me , take a deep breath, relax and enjoy some terrific quotes from Zen masters to soothe your being.

““The quieter you become, the more you can hear.” Baba Ram Dass

““This art of resting the mind and the power of dismissing from it all care and worry is probably one of the secrets of energy in our great men.” Captain J. A. Hadfield

““No matter how much pressure you feel at work, if you could find ways to relax for at least five minutes every hour, you’d be more productive.” Dr. Joyce Brothers

““Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer.” William S. Burroughs

““Calm in quietude is not real calm. When you can be calm in the midst of activity, this is the true state of nature. Happiness in comfort is not real happiness. When you can be happy in the midst of hardship, then you see the true potential of the mind.” Huanchu Daoren

““There is more to life than increasing its speed.” Gandhi

““The tighter you squeeze, the less you have.” Ma-Tsu

““When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” Francois de La Rochefoucauld