It seems I take many of my philosophical cues from cartoon characters. Last week it was Pooh. This week it is Po (coincidence, I think not). It did get me thinking about transformations and inner peace. Life can be difficult sometimes, especially if you try and exert a certain amount of control over not only yourself but others. Outside influences, the environment, chance, luck, evil plots…all of these things can “conspire” to create situation after situation that seems to be whole designed to frustrate. Looking back at our two dimension friends though, there are some significant lessons to be learned that can help us through the transformative process.
First, there is no secret ingredient. Whether it is a bottle of water before a basketball game or an ancient scroll, each one of us is unique and special. This spark of the Tao is already there. Secondly, you are who you choose to be. What has come before is simply the path that stretches out behind you. What comes now is in your power. Third, life is simple. Whether it is a bean bun, a carrot, or whatever, joy can be found in the most uncomplicated ways.
We live in a fast paced and sometimes chaotic world. While we cannot control the world around us, we can control on how we meet it.
Xiong Nai Xin Retreat 
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