hip-pocket encouragements

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I don't know about anyone else, but through the years, I have at various times found encouragements in very brief (you might say sound-bite) mantra that stand in for a whole panorama of thinking/belief/hope/faith/understanding or whatever. Some have come and gone and were little more than mantra-du-jour. Others remained, like old friends.

I noticed this the other day when I realized I had taken on a new one ... something that banged my chimes and spoke directly to me as a reminder ...

If you're so serious, why aren't you laughing?

 Older friends include:

Love and charity towards all beings
Contentment under all circumstances
Control of the senses and passions .... (Boosted from the Hindus)

And:

Just because you are indispensable to the universe does not mean the universe needs your help.

And:

Smile just one smile.

Do I need these things? I don't know, but I do know they linger and whisper and occasionally take on a re-enforced meaning.
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