Reflection

"Only in quiet waters things mirror themselves undistorted. Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world." ~ Hans Margolius

In this New Year, 2015, I will publish my first book. I write this not as an advertisement but as a personal and public commitment to complete it!

The final chapter is on reflection and I thought this New Year's Eve is appropriate timing to share with you some of my unedited notes, along with some quotes that will be included in the chapter:

"Reflecting is where we end this book but it is also where we began; it is the act of tapping on your own shoulder to be sure you are awake, to be sure you are alive and living a life of authenticity, meaning and purpose—being here now and not somewhere else, not wishing or wanting to be someone or something else other than yourself. And so, in a sense, reflecting is not an ending or a beginning but rather a perpetual beginning again. Therefore the best kind of reflecting is not recollection: Every day and every moment is a new beginning; and every time you reflect, you begin again. In time, and with practice, reflection becomes nearly effortless and instantaneous. You easily return to Being because you know where to find it—beneath the covers of the outside world—you reflect, you think, you meditate, you pray; you connect and reconnect and return to life anew." ~ Kent Thune

"It's quite true what philosophy says, that life must be understood backwards. But one then forgets the other principle, that it must be lived forwards. A principle which, the more one thinks it through, precisely leads to the conclusion that life in time can never be properly understood, just because no moment can acquire the complete stillness needed to orient oneself backward." ~ Soren Kierkegaard

"Not choice, but habit rules the unreflecting herd." ~William Wordsworth

"What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from. ~ T.S. Eliot

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." ~ Confucius

Here's to more reflection in 2015. Cheers...

Comments

[Mark Kuhn]

I love those who can smile in trouble, who can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. (Leonardo Da Vinci)

I thought this quote fits quite well here.