akaMaytag

  The Dangers of Attachment There is a parable that is used to illustrate the danger of attachment and the power of letting go. How many times in our lives have we refused to let go of something that kept us trapped? All we had to do was let go, and we would be free, but that is not an easy or natural thing to do. It tells of a group of villagers in the tropics who found that they could trap monkeys by cutting a hole in a coconut and placing seeds, sweet rice, or fruit inside. The hole was just big enough for the monkey to slide his hand in, but not big enough to pull it out with a closed fist. All they had to do was let go of the seeds; it turned out that the monkeys would rather get caught than give up the seeds. As we all know, letting go can feel challenging if not impossible. We cling to outdated beliefs, desires, or hold on to grudges, which can prevent us from finding a solution. Maybe it is a career path or job that does not feed our souls.  South Indian Monkey Tra...

 “Do not be too hard, lest you be broken; do not be too soft, lest you be squeezed.” ~ Ali ibn Abi Talib ~ Finding Balance and Peace  It can be challenging to find a sense of balance in life. It could even feel almost insurmountable at times. We must remain strong enough to continue moving forward while staying aware of the needs of others around us. If we are too protective of ourselves, we will shut people out, but if we are not careful, our souls and spirits can become drained. Sometimes, the more compassionate and caring you are, the more people take advantage of you, and you feel more pain. I have yet to figure out how to manage this balancing act. I have been called a highly sensitive person or an Empath, who absorbs energy from my surroundings. Negative or bad energy is like a punch in the gut to me. I can hardly watch or listen to network news without feeling ill. Some people can be draining to be around; this is why I strive to surround myself with caring people. I fe...