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Hello good soul,
The last MeanderMe focused on the power of saying 'no', how it is an essential tool in carving out the space we need to feel a sense of calm in our lives, and in letting our natural wisdom and creativity emerge.
But beneath every 'no', must lie a deeper 'yes'. Because ultimately, though we may chisel out our own little islands of control, we are not the masters of the waves.
The main piece of this edition will explore what it means to say 'yes' to whatever life brings. Anything else is the fighting of an impossible battle. As Rilke said, "let life happen to you. Believe me: life is right, in any case."
If you feel you received something of value from reading this newsletter and would like to support me to produce more of the same, you can contribute here: https://www.ronanloughney.com/support-me, or by sharing the email or this link with anyone you think might like it.
Thanks!
🧠The World Inside: Insights and strategies in Psychology, Spirituality and personal growth
Saying 'yes': A man asked a monk, how do you find peace? The monk said: 'I say yes. To everything that happens, I say yes'.
December 28th: Reflections on that nether time where life seems to reset
🌍 The World Around Us: Understanding and addressing social and environmental issues
Help raise money for the El Balsamo water source: In 2017, I volunteered on a water and sanitation programme in a community in Matagalpa, Nicaragua. We helped the community install infrastructure such as pipes and eco-latrines, and supporting them in organising themselves to support their own needs going forward. Now, they need to repair the water source which provides their community and beyond with clean running water from the mountains above.
You can see the campaign video here, and the link to donate here. Please do give if you can. Doing so should ensure the community has clean drinking water for the next 50 years.
🤪Playtime: Just for fun
New Year, New You-sic: Some spiffing tunes for the new year
🔥Monthly challenge: Get involved with a challenge I am taking, designed to increase self-discipline and wellbeing
52 days: For the new year, I'm trying out a year long challenge. The idea is to limit myself to 52 days throughout the year where I can drink booze. I've found going teetotal in the past a little boring and joyless, but that when I do not set limits on my drinking, it can too easily spill into lethargy and fogginess. An average of a day a week of indulgence seems a good compromise between discipline and fun.
If that sounds good, join me! (Contact me here or send me an email at ronanloughney@gmail.com)
❤️Spreading the love: Other sites and newsletters you can try if you enjoyed this newsletter
Thought Architecture: Justin Noppe is someone I've had the privilege of connecting with and learning from over the last year. Aside from running the Thought Architecture blog/podcast, he is a facilitator with High Existence, runs courses teaching people how to learn properly, and many, many other things. Justin has a fascination for how the human mind words and is constantly seeking to cut through the myths and factoids that proliferate throughout society. For some tight truth bombs, check him out.