Sometimes I feel like everything is a contradiction.
As I am teaching my content again, I recognize interesting contradictions. Contradiction is a way of describing a world that exists within oppositional forces. Better said: a world existence based on oppositional force is set up to contradict itself.
Self-awareness is noticing the contradicting nature of existence. To hold both peace and suffering, together with compassionate awareness..from the balanced/neutral space of wellbeing: without judgment, criticism, comparison.
To reflect on this idea in your own way, I share the podcast episode (again) that was aired in January 2022 as a commemorative for Thich Nhat Hanh after his death at age 95.
The September 2003 interview was referencing the war on terror and events that were relevant at the time.
My lens and the focus of my content is to apply helpful skills, tools, and strategies toward self, first. With a mindset and belief that from this inner space of balance, we can move toward ‘the next thing’ in a way that leads one toward sustainable growth outcomes that nourish and grow the good stuff available, and allow one to enjoy one’s experience most of the time. I would not take on an argument as to how to use the skills toward external conditions such as the war on terror.
Krista Tippett introduces the ‘re-aired’ version with a curiosity toward events relevant to January 2022. Following along using the transcript is helpful. There is a lot to ponder in the unedited version, however the edited version is 50 minutes and weaves in a story of a police officer and an ordained Baptist minister.
@sallysifer FB posts since last blog….
**don’t miss the link below this first screenshot. It’s a fun episode to listen to in the car, or wherever you like to listen and laugh-out-loud.
August 8, 2023
https://armchairexpertpod.com/pods/ethan-hawke
August 10, 2023
August 21, 2023
Additional 💭’s…
I was doing a sweep of screenshots on my desktop and found this simple strategy. In the lens of self-care, it’s the same thing with the exception of inserting ‘yourself’ for the ‘a child’ and so forth, and the word ‘learn/practice’ instead of ‘teach’ at the bottom.
(in reference to the image/quote below)…and to find compassion toward yourself. If you happened to read storyitell, you read my journey through the hatred and anger I had toward myself. And how my dog helped me feel unconditional love, once I became more and more familiar with the feeling, it was the feeling I transferred toward myself.
Please read from a lens of self-compassion, first.
sally's blog. 
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