The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu ~ Verse 8

Translation by Jonathan Star

“The best way to live

is to be like water

for water benefits all things

and goes against non of them

It provides for all people

and even cleanses those places

a man is loath to go

In this way it is just like Tao

Live in accordance with the nature of things:

Build your house on solid ground

Keep your mind still

When giving, be kind

When speaking, be truthful

When ruling, by one-pointed

When acting, remember—timing is everything

One who lives in accordance with nature

does not go against the way of things

He moves in harmony with the present moment

always knowing the truth of just what to do”

The TAO TE CHING has been a grounding guide book for my life with its many twists and turns over the years. This particular book was left for me by a former partner and I think it was the greatest thing he gave me. People come into our lives for reasons we may never know with each of them having an impact in how we reshape ourselves once that relationship expires. I frequently refer to this ancient guide for navigation especially when I struggle to quiet those voices and moments of overwhelming anxiety. These verses have brought me great peace and I suggest anyone experiencing a conflict or feelings of emotional imbalance to open the Tao Te Ching to a random page and read the first verse they see. It is not a cure all however, it will create calm for that moment. One moment, one step, one action leads to another.

“How to Make the Best F’ing Lemonade” is coming soon to Amazon. This little book is filled with lemony recipes and insights to deal with life’s sour moments.

In 2012 I participated in the Brooklyn Art Library’s Sketchbook Project with my “How to Make the Best F’ing Lemonade” sketchbook contribution. Since then my little book has had a total of 9 views. I loved getting every one of those emails informing me that someone found my 5” x 7” black painted sketchbook in the sea of thousands of beautifully crafted works of absolute art. My little book is plain and simple, no pop up origami, no colorful illustrations of an adventure, notta one perfectly painted portrait of a loved one or pet, nor an eye catching cover so moving that one could see it clear across the room, nope, not mine. My little book is scrappy, black, hard to find and filled with the sour parts of life accompanied by tasty recipes to take your mind off of life’s many troubles. The Lemonade book, as I loosely refer to it, provides pivoting thoughts from a financial setback, job loss or relationship to playing like a child. The book will not solve all of life’s disasters, however, it does break up tension and inspire creative solutions to move on to the next chapter in life.

The recipes sprinkled about are lemon flavored snacks, blender drinks and libations for those tougher moments.

“How to Make the Best F’ing Lemonade” is a tiny book of inspiration for your personal development tool box for life’s messy moments. “HTMTBFL” will be available for download soon!

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