Author Archives: watchwordsblog

Sometimes what looks terrible can actually become a new opportunity… Or what seems the end of the world becomes the beginning of a new way of living… When we are in these transition times grieving the known that has come to an end And facing the unknown that we have not met nor begun toContinue reading “No Matter What- Love Yourself!”

“When you love someone, the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?” Thich Nhat Hanh “I am here for you”  is probably the most loving sentence we can say to another person, and then stop what we are doing, and practice being present. We don’tContinue reading “If you love someone…”

“People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong.Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those thingsand make them bloom?” Thich Nhat Hanh The patterns of our society are to always focus on what is wrong:Doctors screen for pathologies, therapists diagnose mental illnesses,news reporters only focus on traumatic and catastrophicContinue reading “Touching the positive…”

“The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.” Thich Nhat Hanh Our culture is very future oriented. Everything has to be strategically planned: Children’s education and career have to be outlined while they are still in Kindergarten. Children grow up with the stress of having toContinue reading “The best way…”

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.” Thich Nhat Hanh Sometimes we think that what we know is all there is. The ways that our families treated us, or our classmates, or intimate partners, those become the templates with whichContinue reading “Surprised by Joy”

“If we are caught by the obstacle of knowledge, even if truth comes knocking at our door, we will refuse to let it in.” Thich Nhat Hanh When we identify with “what we know” and with “who we know” and our sense of self and idea of truth shrink down to the size of ourContinue reading “The Obstacle of Knowledge”

“You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free” Thich Nhat Hanh The difference between narcissistic love and healthy love: Narcissistic love seeks to use others as supply. That kind of love controls and manipulates to only get own needs met, without consideration how the other person might be impactedContinue reading “Love means Freedom”

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” Thich Nhat Hanh As the New Year begins, many people make resolutions about how they want to change and improve themselves. And when they fall short after a few weeks, they then blame themselves andContinue reading “Being Yourself…”

“Many people are alive but don’t touch the miracle of being alive” Thich Nhat Hanh These days in between the years have a special flavor. They taste like old and new at the same time. They sound like calm after the storm. They look like a resting place after a long walk. They smell likeContinue reading “Touch the Miracle…”

“Many of us have been running all our lives. Practice stopping.” Thich Nhat Hanh It is not easy to stop and be still. So much noise in our heads. So much unrest and unfinished business. This season invites us to stop. To stop and just “be”. Just breathe… Don’t bring a gift. Just bring yourself.Continue reading “Many of us have been running…”