Treasures


67

Treasures


Most people spend some time looking for a sense of value and happiness, some of us more than others. Those involved in the creative process are in this sense not very different from any other person. Finding a sense of happiness will surely bring great rewards of a positive approach to all that we do. Having a positive sense of value will likewise bring good results to whatever we tackle in life.

We all know what we look like in a physical sense, some may even have tackled a self-portrait and become familiar with every freckle and wrinkle we have. Being involved in the creative process encourages us to look not only at our outer self but to look also at the inner person. We become aware of our fears, our strengths and our weaknesses. We know what it is that keeps us going when the going gets tough. In times of stress, this inward look enables us to draw on our resilience and tenacity.

The Tao Te Ching takes this a stage further, telling us how to build on those inner qualities.  We can read of the three most important treasures of life. We are told that these are, always be kind, keep life simple and never put yourself before anyone else.

Showing kindness encourages in ourselves a sense of courage says, Lao Tzu. Keeping things simple enables us to see the true worth of the things we surround ourselves with. Keeping life simple we will never put hindrances in the way of our creative growth as a person.

These three treasures keep us from much of the daily stresses of life. The Tao Te Ching goes even further. Here we read, "These three treasures create the most powerful force in the universe."

This is the way of Tao.






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