02

The past doesn't go anywhere, the future never comes, and the present is eternal and everlasting-- it never ends. The here and now merely flows into, and merges with, the here and now forever. We are never anywhere other than here and now. That is why it is called The Eternal Now. If we are ever going to do it, we are going to do it here and now. Why put it off? Why hold anything back? Ask the questions that beg to be asked! Say the things that cry out to be said! See what is happening and do what is called for in every situation as it arises with the gifts/genius/daemon/virtues/character we already have! If we don't know what to do, we will find all the guidance we need in our Original Nature. We only need to sit quietly looking into ourselves as we were in the beginning, are now and ever shall be, waiting for the mud to settle and the water to clear. We allow ourselves to enter a spirit of play where we are free for the fresh-- spontaneous and straight from the heart-- act of pure sincerity in becoming consubstantial with the world, being of one substance with all of life through the wonderful, playful, invention of AS IF! Evoking and awakening the gifts we carry within, and living in the world as if we possess the very mystery and wonder within us that are at the source of creation itself, as though we are of the same mystery and wonder in our mind and in our body, and are looking to it to guide and direct, lead and encourage us, dancing and laughing, along the way, here and now. (Thanks to Joseph Campbell for initiating both reflection and realization)
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01

Hope doesn't care what its chances are. Hope does what is good whether it does any good or not. Hope does what is right whether it makes any difference or not. Hope does what needs to be done-- anyway, nevertheless, even so. The questions: So what? Who cares? Why try? Have no impact on hope. Who cares so what? Who cares who cares? Who cares why try? Why not try? Hope steps into every situation and does what is called for for no reason beyond being what the situation is calling for-- doing what in needed here and now because it is needed here and now. Hopelessness may be a fact, but what it means is a matter of opinion. Never let the facts stop you from being who you are, doing what is yours to do when that would be appropriate to the situation at hand. And if that wouldn't be appropriate, what would be? Do that.