Weekly Wisdom from Karen

#philosophy #spirituality #kindness #communication

Welcome to all the ILLUMINATION newcomers for this week’s choicest offerings. I thought we might all appreciate some philosophy after the highs and lows of the previous seven days.

Angela K. Irvin, M.A. is a wise woman to recommend we flourish and do now rather than wait for someday. I’ve been of this mindset for a good ten years now and it really does work. The pandemic won’t be here forever, plan your future. Make it happen.

Flourishing should be an inherent aspect of all our activities. Many of us would be happier if we didn’t view it as a pie-in-the-sky pursuit, putting it off until we “have time.” If we don’t make time to flourish, our future selves will absorb the consequences of not choosing to live well.

Kevin Doberstein offers us wisdom on the subject of kindness. A little goes a long way. A lot could change the world.

A reality sometimes in this world that some see the act of kindness as a weakness. Some people see it as some kind of vulnerability. In the business world, it can be seen as a shortcoming. The truth is that practicing kindness is a strength. A virtue that can be so rewarding when shared.

Jasmine Soumana shares her thoughts on and experiences of being both introvert and extravert, as well as what meditation means to an introvert.

For us quiet ones, growing up in an extroverted world is a constant fight for acceptance — both your own AND that of other people. The world is demanding constant attention and interaction. Taking time to go in — completely disinterested in what is going on outside? — feels almost selfish.

Koko Wolfe is a spinner of a wondrous tale. One we could all benefit from in the small dark moments …

The trigger for the grief could be simple and small, seemingly insignificant on the outside, or be as ginormous as a tidal wave. In both cases, I felt it deeply and intensely. Up until recently, I wanted to leave my body or circumstance, to retreat from the despairing pain. I now seek to gain a greater understanding that is shepherded by a greater love.

The pièce de résistance (I’ve been watching La Révolution on Netflix — some scintillating reimagination of history right up a fiction lovers’ alley!) is from Holly Kellums. Her story is also scintillating.

Listening is the lost superpower of the masses and the key to communication, humility and compassion. When we listen — really listen — to others, we do not condemn them. Listening is not about coming up with our own ideas, but about understanding the ideas of others. Through our efforts to understand something from the perspective of another — instead of looking for our own perspective — we truly listen.

Publication of the Week

There’s no publication based on philosophy this week. If any of ILLUMINATION’S writers has a publication which focuses on philosophical or spiritual learning, experience, and or sharing that they’d like to be seen please comment and I’ll add you to this week’s editorial.

Thank you for reading.

All previous Weekly Wisdom editorial bulletins are below.