One Can Make a Difference

I went to Borders the other day. I'm one of those people that actually enjoys browsing the shelves for random books, having a large hot chai tea latte, finding a large comfy chair, and to camp out reading some of the books for an hour or so. I don't know why, but I just enjoy reading in silence amongst lots of people. That's why I just absolutely love libraries! I love the thought of being surrounded by people that are on a pursuit for knowledge. Acquiring knowledge amongst others really motivates me to strive for more. Some how I feel compelled to read more, think more, and produce better literary works. I don't know why, but when I'm around other people that are also in deep thought, I feel that I am able to absorb some of their brain power and energy. It's the silliest thought, but for some reason I feel that we can actually feed off of each others' mental energies. It may not happen in the literal sense, but then again why not? If I do actually feel smarter and work harder then aren't those physical manifestations of acquired brain power and energy? I may not actually acquire it from another's brain, but if they are the catalyst for the change, then in a way they are responsible for the change. Okay, I'm going off on a crazy tangent, but I just had to get that off my mind. Thanks!

Anyways, what I really want to focus on today is a book that I actually bought the other day during one of my weekly adventures in Borders. Somehow while on-line I came across a book entitled, "One Can Make a Difference" by Ingrid E Newkirk and Jane Ratcliffe. It is a collection of original stories and essays by people that have influenced and made important changes to different facets of the world. It includes works by: The Dalai Lama, Paul McCartney, Willie Nelson, Russell Simmons, Martina Navratilova, Ravi Shankar, Oliver Stone, etc. One of my favorite essays (so far) is from Sharon Gannon who started Jivamukti Yoga School. Here are a few quotes from her chapter:

"Now I began to realize that ideas, even great ones, were not enough to change the world or to change my own life. Whatever I wanted to see in the world around me had to first become real in my own body right down to the molecular level."

"The practices of yoga refine your perception so that you see yourself as one with the whole. As a gentle, but potent, reminder to myself to keep Alaha (means all that is) in the forefront of my mind, everyday I wake up and chant: May all be happy and free. May all beings everywhere be happy and free and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all."

"There's power inherent in our own speech. If we say we want everyone to be happy, then we have to question everything that we do, how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak. The best way to uplift our own lives is to do all we can to uplift the lives of others."

"Whatever you want in this life you can have if you first provide it for someone else. Work for the freedom of others, and you yourself will become free. Don't wait for a better world. Start now to create a world of harmony and peace. IT IS UP TO YOU. IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN!"

I hope these words encourage you as much as they have encouraged me! Please feel free to respond and post your own favorite quotes! I'd love to read them.

P.S. Anyone know of a good beginners yoga studio around the Bergen county area in Jersey?