Live. Inspired. is a collection of my own creation. It speaks to "how" I have been choosing to live my life each day. A conversation with, and for myself actually. When my true inspirations are attached to that which I intend, I feel the Universe "opening up" to a whole new world of abundance, opportunity, and discovery. And by sharing my inspirations here with you...it makes me feel good too!

Live. Small. Inspired.

How do You choose to Live. Today.
How are You going to be Small. Today.
How will You be Inspired. Today.

Live,
Small...
and realize big things in,
"Your Life."
See, 
everything,
as Small,
connected, aligned, and as 
one in,
"Your Universe."
For when,
"Your Footprint,"
is Small,
You,
are in perfect balance,
and in harmony with,
"Your World,"
around You.
Know,
that the biggest ideas,
the biggest differences,
You make in,
"Your Life,"
start,
Small.
Live.
and nurture,
the Small in,
"Your World."
Be Inspired.
by how beautifully
things manifest themselves,
when You focus on the
Small.

Live. Inspired.

Raymond Paul

Living The Wisdom of The Tao.

                 Epilogue.
                     and
           Acknowledgments.

                In Gratitude

As I (now) conclude this enlightening journey of learning
and understanding, it is with immense gratitude that I recognize,
and appreciate where this wonderful "awakening" has taken me.

Thank you to Lao-tzu for his prophetic, powerful, and incredibly
meaningful eighty-one verses of the "Tao Te Ching."
It is such an amazing gift to this world.

Thank you to Dr. Wayne Dyer, (my spiritual mentor, guide and teacher),
for his love and sharing of his very special "Wisdom of The Tao."
His brilliant and heart-felt essays, all so beautifully written in his
life-changing book, "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life."

It would be fair to say for me, that over this past year or so,
and through all my study, learning, and "living" of this on my own,
that I have come to observe a very important change in me...
I have experienced a very powerful transition ...a conscious spiritual
shift from where I was, to where (and who) I am now...
"Living".... this new life of purpose, meaning and awareness..
It has most definitely....
"Changed my Thoughts",
and even more dramatically...
"Changed my Life."

Through the combined teachings of these two "Masters," I have come
to learn that how I Am, and how I do things, is what is most important
in my life.
I now enjoy a much clearer understanding of the paradoxes of my
physical life, the yin and yangs, the ups and downs, and (ultimately)
what my true purpose (here) really is.

My sole responsibility, as I see and feel it now, is to (only) "Love."
To give love, be love, to love one's self... and to co-exist, in love,
with "all" of life...
And to do it from a place of oneness... and balance..
In peace, humility, happiness and harmony.
It is how we were all created, loved into existence, and naturally
meant to do.

In many ways it is really quite simple.
Yet, it is also our nature (at times) to complicate things.
Listen only to our egos.
Perhaps be influenced by others by what "they" may think we need to do.
Through all that noise it is possible to become judgemental, even hurtful,
which ultimately leaves us feeling empty, lost, and only desiring more
"things" in an effort to try and make us happy.
This is not "the way" to feeling truly fulfilled.

The truth (really) is... It's already here!
Everything we need... already provided.
In this abundant and heavenly place, of here and now...
There is nothing to do...
It is already done. All of it!
All we need is (only) trust, belief, and the awareness to simply... notice.
We need to "stop" doing so much doing!...
Loosen the ropes that hold us back..
And just "be"...
Be that beautiful human.... "being."
Allow, awaken, and appreciate, this most amazing, precious, and
miraculous gift of Life.

We can learn so very much from Nature.
She is always perfect... Always, and in all-ways..
Witness for yourself.... and appreciate all of her amazing beauty....
Magnificent ....in her harmoniously and balanced perfection.
Effortlessly... she flows...
Always giving.... Always forgiving....
Never expecting anything in return.
The ultimate paradox of Life.

This is the (true) secret.. and most amazingly.... no secret at all!
We simply need to take the time... and simply observe.
All the wonder .. all the gifts.  Right here... right now...
And right in front of us.
Everything we need, already provided, available, abundant, and free!
Our most important gifts in life....cost nothing.
Only our recognition, appreciation, and understanding.
It is about Loving Life.. in care compassion, and concern.
Everything... from a gracious place of.. heart.

So I Breathe.
Lean back into life... (and)
Live ...Love ...Give.. and Forgive...
In oneness.. and respect....for all of life.

This is the simplest and most powerful sharing of "The Great Way."
This wonderful and life-changing gift of... "The Wisdom of The Tao."

Thank you Lao-tzu.
Thank you Dr. Dyer.
Collectively you have "Changed (this man's) Thoughts."....
And so very beautifully inspired me to this place of consciousness
where I have gratefully taken your soulful and spiritual lessons,
and created them into my own writings of poetic "Interpretations."
It has truly made a difference, has awakened me, and has most definitely...
"Changed My Life."
Forever.

In Gratitude.

Living The Wisdom of The Tao
Verse 81

Through the inspirations of my spiritual mentor, Dr. Wayne Dyer
I have undertaken this year, (as he did in 2006), the teachings of the
eighty-one verses of the "Tao Te Ching." Legend says that the "Tao"
(pronounced "Dao") was written by the prophet "Lao-tzu" some five 
hundred years before the birth of Christ. The interpretation of the words
Tao is "The Way" Te is "The Shape and Power" and Ching is "The Book."
It has been called "one of the profoundest books in world philosophy."
For my references I have been studying the interpretations and teachings of 
Dr. Dyer from his book "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life."
In the spirit of Eagle Eye, here is my inspired (poetic) interpretation of
Verse 81.

                 No-thing.

                     Return,
             to that beautiful place
                        of
                   No-thing;
                       and
                      know
                  that you are
                       truly
                      home.

                    Recognize,
                that peaceful place
                         of
                    No-thing;
                        and
                        feel
                 the pureness,
               and the blissful joy,
                   that is giving,
                    rather than
                     receiving.

                       Live,
                   in that quiet,
                        and
                  humble place
                         of
                    No-thing;
                        and
                  gently release
        all your worldly attachments
                to the ego-driven
                       things.

                       Like
                     Heaven
                      Loves,
                     and only
                      Gives...
                     No-thing
                         is
                   ever needed,
                      wanted,
                   (or expected)
                          in
                       return.

                         Be...
                      Always,
                      and in
                     all ways,
              in that most natural,
              and contented place
                          of
                      No-thing;
                        where
                         "all"
                           is
                         right,
                       abundant,
                          just,
                          and
                         good;
                     
                         Purely
                           and
                       perfectly;
                        Aligned...                     
                        Grateful,
                           and
                        blessed...
                    in this virtuous,
                           and
                    genuine place
                           of
                    No-thing-ness.

Live. Inspired.

Raymond Paul

Living The Wisdom of The Tao
Verse 80

Through the inspirations of my spiritual mentor, Dr. Wayne Dyer
I have undertaken this year, (as he did in 2006), the teachings of the
eighty-one verses of the "Tao Te Ching." Legend says that the "Tao"
(pronounced "Dao") was written by the prophet "Lao-tzu" some five
hundred years before the birth of Christ. The interpretation of the words
Tao is "The Way" Te is "The Shape and Power" and Ching is "The Book."
It has been called "one of the profoundest books in world philosophy."
For my references I have been studying the interpretations and teachings of
Dr. Dyer from his book "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life."
In the spirit of Eagle Eye, here is my inspired (poetic) interpretation of
Verse 80.

        Living In.. Your Perfect Place

                        Imagine,
                       Living in,
                 Your Perfect Place,
                         healthy,
                         happy,
                    unencumbered,
                        satisfied,
                            and
                           Free.

                         Seeing,
                      all the beauty,
                    whilst Living in,
                  Your Perfect Place,
                         sharing,
                         existing,
                      appreciating,
                       and simply
                           being;
                           Here.

                         Content,
                     with Living in
                   Your Perfect Place;
                     where no-thing
                         is needed.
                            Only
                            love,
                     joy, peacefulness,
                             and
                         Harmony.

                             Like
                          all that is;
                         so tranquil,
                           natural,
                    simple and aligned in
                            Nature.
                            This is,
                            (truly)
                           Living in
                     The Perfect Place.

                            So it is,
                     Your soul will say;
                         "Be aware,"
                               for
                           Living in
                       Your Perfect Place
                            is actually
                           Right Here....
                              In front,
                               behind,
                           and all around,
                                You...
                              Exactly,
                            where you
                                 Are.

Live. Inspired.

Raymond Paul

Living The Wisdom of The Tao
Verse 79

Through the inspirations of my spiritual mentor, Dr. Wayne Dyer,
I have undertaken this year, (as he did in 2006), the teachings of the
eighty-one verses of the "Tao Te Ching." Legend says that the "Tao"
(pronounced "Dao") was written by the prophet "Lao-tzu" some five
hundred years before the birth of Christ. The interpretation of the words
Tao is "The Way" Te is "The Shape and Power" and Ching is "The Book."
It has been called "one of the profoundest books in world philosophy."
For my references I have been studying the interpretations and teachings of
Dr. Dyer from his book "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life."
In the spirit of Eagle Eye, here is my inspired (poetic) interpretation of
Verse 79.


              Be A Giver

              Be
                     a
                  Giver,
            always extending
              kindness, love,
                   and
              forgiveness.

                    Be
                     a
                  Giver,
        gently letting go of
           resentment, hurt
                   and
                 anger.

             Like the calm,
                 forgives
                 the storm;
                 Fear not,
                forgiveness...
                For yourself,
                    and
                 for others.

                     Be
                      a
                   Giver,
                seeking only
               service, peace,
                     and
                  harmony.

                     For
               authentic love,
             comes beautifully
              from your heart,
                  by simply
                     Being
                        a
                     Giver.

Live. Inspired.

Raymond Paul               

                Happy Birthday Jessica!

                      September 23, 2014

Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Jessica.
Look at you... all grown up and 22!
(Where does the time go?)

I'm a bit sad that we are not together on this your special day,
but as we always say....
We are together in spirit, always, and in every way.

I love you, and am so very proud of you.
Have a wonderful, happy and healthy Birthday!
This is going to be an amazing year for you!!

Love Dad.

Living The Wisdom of The Tao
Verse 78

Through the inspirations of my spiritual mentor, Dr. Wayne Dyer
I have undertaken this year, (as he did in 2006), the teachings of the
eighty-one verses of the "Tao Te Ching." Legend says that the "Tao"
(pronounced "Dao") was written by the prophet "Lao-tzu" some five
hundred years before the birth of Christ. The interpretation of the words
Tao is "The Way" Te is "The Shape and Power" and Ching is "The Book."
It has been called "one of the profoundest books in world philosophy."
For my references I have been studying the interpretations and teachings of
Dr. Dyer from his book "Change Your Thoughts - Change Your Life."
In the spirit of Eagle Eye, here is my inspired (poetic) interpretation of
Verse 78.

              Be Like Water

               Be
                Like Water
                      and
             witness how weak
                 overcomes
                  the strong.

                       Be
                  Like Water
                      and
                 flow into life
                  by simply
                   letting go.

                       Be
                 Like Water
                    Yielding,
                       soft,
                       and
             harmoniously kind.

                     Like
                    Water,
      flowing, streaming, surrendering,
                 peacefully;
                 It's softness,
            it's greatest strength.

                       Be
                   Like Water
            Nor hard, nor forceful,
                rigid, or harsh.
                      Only
                       soft,
                     gentle,
                   permeable
                      and
                   forgiving;
                      Just
                     Like
                    Water.

Live. Inspired.

Raymond Paul