Author Archives: John Swinburn

Within yourself is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself. ~Herman Hesse~

Humans’ understanding of the world in which we live is restricted by our ability to comprehend things outside our realm of experience and beyond the limits of our imagination.  We understand how animals can feel pain because we understand, to … Continue reading →

Sometimes, we’re too tough on ourselves and too tough on others; we demand for the sake of demanding, rather than for any reasonable purpose.  We insist on following processes that do not suit us, though their purpose was simply to … Continue reading →

If you have a friend, you would do the same for him (or her) as you would do for your family, because a true friend is just the same as family, just without the legal paperwork. Your friend, your true … Continue reading →

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” ~Mark Twain~

Doing good by accident or coincidence is not sufficient.  Being good requires conscious thought, recognition that one has choices, and actively and, in light of that recognition, deliberately choosing to do the right thing.  Not think the right thing, do … Continue reading →

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. “ ~Martin Luther King, Jr.~ On … Continue reading →

Another Sunday.  For some, the day to rest, for some to work, for some to go to church, for some to question religion.  Every day of the week is a little like this day, this Sunday, but we call them … Continue reading →

I drink tea and forget the world’s noises. ~Chinese saying~

Which advice is most helpful, most healing? “Cry, if you must, but know this: you’ll run out of tears before you run out of pain.” “Cry, if it helps. Whatever gets you through your darkest hours is what’s right.” I … Continue reading →

I’ve known very few people who allow themselves to truly know who they are, deep down. I think that’s because people are afraid of what they will find if they look inside themselves. The possibility of looking, to find only … Continue reading →

If I feel someone has wronged me or treated me badly, the easiest, but least satisfying, response is anger. The hardest, and by far the best, response is putting my energies into forgiveness and reconciliation.  Through this, I strengthen myself … Continue reading →