This repost just about sums it up for me today. Its one of my favorite passages from the Tao Te Ching.
“Knowing the world is intelligent.
Knowing yourself is enlightenment.
Bending the world to your will takes force.
Willing yourself to bend is true strength.
Succeeding in the world yields riches.
Being content with what is yields wealth.
Apply Tao to the physical world and you will have a long life.
See past the physical world to the enduring presence of Tao and death will lose its meaning.”*
New to Lao Tzu and the Tao Te Ching? Read more about it here and here.
* Translation by Braun Jr., John; Tzu, Lao; von Bargen, Julian; Warkentin, David (2012-12-02). Tao Te Ching (Kindle Locations 492-499). . Kindle Edition.
Find Your Middle Ground 
Wonderful reminder! Knowing, and liking, oneself is both enlightenment and contentment. (Mind you, easier said than done!)
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Thanks Paul for embracing this reminder today. Some days it just feels so good to rise above the daily drama of others and the media 🙂
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I read this exact quote in my Meditation class this morning Val. Love it. Im in sync! 🙂
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In synch – in deed – in appreciation!
Val x
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We are so accustomed to trying to bend the world to our will, a product of society? Thanks for sharing this thoughtful post Val. ❤
Diana xo
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I always love your questions Diana! Thank you ❤
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What an inspiring quote. Thank you for sharing..
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Glad you enjoyed it Patty!
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I love how there is such balance and expansion in each of the statements. Lovely.
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Your words are really resonate with the message of the Tao Louise. Balance and expansion and connection is what It is al about 🙂
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“willing yourself to bend is true strength”
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You spotted that one too. 🙂
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Lovely. Calm self-awareness allows the Tao to surface and illuminate our journey as the path unfolds before us.
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Indeed Nancy! Before us and within us. The Tao is one. 🙂
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Wow… so much wisdom here indeed. Love this…
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Every time I come back to the Tao there is more wisdom revealed. Glad you enjoyed it Julie!
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So simple yet so profound…
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Amazing words which remind us all the power lies within .. Thank you Val…
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Thank you Sue! So glad it resonated with you. xo
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Willing myself to bend… now there is a challenge
But perhaps a lot easier than to try and keep bending the world to suit me.
thanks
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Its worth exploring Elizabeth! Thanks for stopping by!
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Ack! Okay, now that was timely! Just yesterday I stated that it’s no wonder I never find my zen place with how my life goes (Not as a complaint, more of a joke, really, it was quite funny in context) but it’s true, I’m the one that frequently doesn’t adapt and doesn’t bend – this is a good reminder that I’m on the right path to become who I want to be! Thanks Val!!
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Keep flexing Kate … Laughing at ourselves along the way is good
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breathing in
I bend
breathing out
gratitude 🙂
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🙏
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Always amazing to read from these profound texts!
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Repetition of wisdom is always welcome to me as well. Thank you P.D.
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I so appreciate repetition too, unravels more layers of learning.
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Yes! With each expression we open up a little more to the deeper meaning 🙏
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Some of my favorite reading. I love the way Lao Tzu’s writings invite an opening of perception, and contemplation of the deeper meaning. Thanks for sharing, Val. I have to find my copy now.
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“Great words” but the application of it is all important.
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Very true 🙏
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Beautiful ❤️
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