from the weeks of 19 & 26 January 2026
Sometimes the only thing you need to do to help something is to let it be.
*
The foolish do not see
themselves as stupid.
The wise acknowledge
that they are stupid and
alway try to be less so.
The sage knows that
it doesn’t really matter
and silently enjoys their
cup of coffee.
*
Sometimes, the more we try to change things, the less they change. Yet, the moment we accept them as they are, they begin to transform.
*
Sometimes we just have to drop the mask and let ourselves be human beings, doing our messy best, on a human path, together.
—Sister True Dedication, from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet
*
*
Thay taught us to see every person we encounter as “a country to discover.” Everyone has their value; everyone has a talent to be revealed and cultivated. This is true in any community, any team of collaborators.
—Sister True Dedication, from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet
*
The word for non-violence in Sanskrit is ahiṃsā. It means not-harming, not causing harm to life, to ourselves, and to others. The word “non-violence” may give the impression that you’re not very active, that you’re passive. But it’s not true. To live peacefully with non-violence is an art, and we have to learn how to do it… As long as you have understanding and compassion in your heart, everything you do will be non-violent.
—Thich Nhat Hanh, from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet
*
Reverence for life is a seed in our consciousness, and the stronger that seed is, the quicker it will be there in a difficult moment when we need it most. It takes insight, honesty, and courage to be able to say: This tree is precious, this life is precious, this person in front of me—no matter what their views or values are—is also precious and is a child of the Earth just as I am.
—Sister True Dedication, from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet
*
*
*
When the road ahead is long and arduous, just take the next step. Then, focus on taking the step after that.
The one who takes tiny, consistent steps still gets further than the one who insists on moving only when they can run.
*
Take all the shit life throws at you… and use it to make compost.
*
Recognition is not softness. It is infrastructure – the social scaffolding that allows mutual investment relationships to function in demanding, fast-changing workplaces.
Organisations that want commitment, adaptability and trust cannot leave recognition to chance. They must lead it, design it, and make it part of how work gets done – every day.
—Trevor Yu Kang Yang, via The Straits Times
*
My privilege is not something that I feel guilty about. It’s something that motivates me to take more action. It’s productive. That’s what I want for all of us. Because I don’t feel ashamed for what I do. I’m a very imperfect person. I definitely have a carbon footprint. And also, I’m not gonna let that stop me.
—Pattie Gonia, via Mongabay
*
*
Even without a message of faith, it’s a powerful message of respect and of tolerance… and if we can dance together on the dance floor, why can’t we dance together outside?
—Father DJ Guilherme Peixoto
*
We really need to study why the war happened to avoid repetition… wishing for the day we can achieve peace. We must maintain an environment where war does not occur. And we must never forget. We can forgive, but never forget.
—Lim Shao Bin, via NHK WORLD-JAPAN
*
Wanting someone to be happy, wanting them to smile. That feeling is love.
—Utage Kinoshita (Tamon’s B-Side)
*
If a person is interested in life, they should be interested in art, for art is life.
*
You cannot defeat something that has already lost.
Julian JP Lee 
Leave a comment