Hi Everyone 👋 Here's what I've been turning over in my head...... No god ever wrote a book. Not one........ The Torah, the Bible, the Quran, the Vedas, the Tripitaka, the Tao Te Ching, all written down by humans. Mostly men. Mostly years or centuries after the fact.... That doesn't make them less sacred to me. If anything, it makes me wonder: what were those humans feeling when they finally put the words down? Were they scared? Hopeful? Did they argue with each other over the right phrase? I don't know. Nobody does. But here's my ask. And it's tiny..... I just want to hear your voice, not a perfect answer. If you could ask one question....just one.....to the person who first wrote down your favourite teaching, what would you ask them? It doesn't have to be religious. Could be a line from a poem, something your grandmother said, a lyric that kept you alive. Mine would be: "Were you afraid people wouldn't believe you?" That's it. One sentence. Reply with your question. Doesn't need to be long. Doesn't need to be wise. Just real..... I'll read every single one. With a hopeful heart that you will take 2 minutes out of your day to add your question ❤️ With Love ❤️ Always Mark

Hi Everyone 👋 I came across these words I wrote a few years ago, and they feel even more true today. Look around. We still see countries convinced of their own supremacy. Religions that claim to hold the only key. Corporations that act as if they alone matter. Media outlets that shout as though their lens is the only truth. And in our everyday lives? We still see the quiet cruelty of someone who believes they are better than the person standing in front of them. It aches, doesn't it? Because deep down, we all know better. My grandfather used to sit us, children down and say something I've carried like a quiet prayer ever since.... "Every single person you meet, no matter their name, their title, the colour of their skin, or what they do to earn a living, deserves the same courtesy and respect you would give a king." He didn't say it was easy. He said it was right. And so I try. When I sit with someone, I still practice the old ways. I listen, not to reply, but to understand. I may not agree with everything they say. But I will hold their words gently. I will look into their eyes, not past them. I will try to see the soul looking back at me. Because here's what I've learned... respect is not agreement. Respect is recognition. It's seeing another human being and saying, without words, "You exist. You matter. I will not diminish you." Wouldn't it be extraordinary if we built a world on that? Not on winning. Not on being right. Not on proving others wrong. But on the simple, radical, tender act of looking someone in the eye and truly seeing them. Imagine what could grow from that soil. Love. Trust. Healed wounds. Unexpected friendships. And yes...perhaps even the first real step toward peace. Not a perfect peace. Not a silent one. But a peace where we can disagree without destroying each other. Where we can be different and still belong. So here's my gentle invitation to you, beautiful community.... This week, just once, try something. Sit with someone you'd normally rush past. Listen to someone who thinks differently than you. Look for the soul behind the opinion.

Hi everyone, please help me welcome @Udo Reulbach to our wonderful community 🙏 @Udo Reulbach , please introduce yourself to our members so they can connect with you.

One day a farmer’s donkey fell into a well. The animal cried loudly for hours, while the farmer tried to find something to do to get him out. Finally, the farmer decided that the donkey was old and the well was already dry and needed to be covered anyway; that it really wasn't worth pulling the donkey out of the well.. He invited all his neighbors to come help him. They each grabbed a shovel and began to throw dirt into the well. The donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly loud. Then, to everyone's surprise, he quieted down after a few shovelfuls of dirt. The farmer finally looked down into the well and was amazed at what he saw... with each shovelful of dirt, the donkey was doing something incredible: It was shaking off the dirt and stepping on top of the dirt. Very soon everyone saw surprised how the donkey reached the mouth of the well, went over the edge and trotted out... Life is going to throw dirt at you, all kinds of dirt... the trick to getting out of the hole is to shake it off and use it to step up. Each of our problems is a step up. We can get out of the deepest holes if we don't give up... Use the land they throw you to get ahead!!! Remember the 5 rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hate. 2. Free your Mind of distractions. 3. Simplify your life. 4. Give more and expect less. 5. Love more and... shake the dirt, because in life, it’s better to be a solution and not a problem! With Love ❤️ Always Mark