your presence

“Mrs. Schwarz” by Edvard Munch

What you do for yourself — any gesture of kindness, any gesture of gentleness, any gesture of honesty and clear seeing toward yourself — will affect how you experience your world. In fact, it will transform how you experience the world. What you do for yourself, you’re doing for others, and what you do for others, you’re doing for yourself.
~ Pema Chödrön
(Start Where You Are: A Guide to Compassionate Living)

Portraits are to daily faces
As an Evening West,
To a fine – pedantic sunshine –
In a satin Vest!

~ Emily Dickinson
(The Poems of Emily Dickinson, #174)

Practice sharing the fullness of your being, your best self, your enthusiasm, your vitality, your spirit, your trust, your openness, above all, your presence. Share it with yourself, with your family, with the world.
~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
(Jon Kabat-Zinn: In His Own Words)

pertinent questions

"Ophelia" by Odilon Redon (1840-1916) French Symbolist Painter & Printmaker
“Ophelia” by Odilon Redon

How important are looks and popularity? How do I care for myself and not be selfish? How can I be honest and still be loved? How can I achieve and not threaten others? How can I be sexual and not a sex object? How can I be responsive but not responsible for everyone?
~ Mary Pipher
(Reviving Ophelia)