Sharon Salzberg

Life is like an ever-shifting kaleidoscope - a slight change, and all patterns alter.

If we fall, we don't need self-recrimination or blame or anger - we need a reawakening of our intention and a willingness to recommit, to be whole-hearted once again.

Often we can achieve an even better result when we stumble yet are willing to start over, when we don't give up after a mistake, when something doesn't come easily but we throw ourselves into trying, when we're not afraid to appear less than perfectly polished.

By prizing heartfulness above faultlessness, we may reap more from our effort because we're more likely to be changed by it.

We learn and grow and are transformed not so much by what we do but by why and how we do it.

Each decision we make, each action we take, is born out of an intention.

Any ordinary favor we do for someone or any compassionate reaching out may seem to be going nowhere at first, but may be planting a seed we can't see right now. Sometimes we need to just do the best we can and then trust in an unfolding we can't design or ordain.