Life is like a cast. Notice what you bite?. . .In terms of ideas, offers and people.

As we meander through this "River of Life," people try to bait each other with their egoic ideas or products. 

• Person A: "Try this shampoo. It's great."  Person B: "That shampoo is horrible.  You have to try (x) brand."
  
• Person A: "Don't study that, you can do so much better." Person B:  "Wow. What a great idea.  I always knew you were an artist."
• Person A: "You need this and that and the other fixed on your  car. Person B: "Oh, it's nothing . . . .it's just an oil leak."
• Person A: "Do this cancer treatment. It's in pre-clinical trials." Person B: "Oh honey, why don't you go to some place like John of God."
  

-This egoic attempt to influence "other" or give feedback (sometimes while not prompted) is not a bad thing.  It's a way of communicating, sharing ideas and connecting among each other.

That said, it is important for you to know your life course (within parameters), such that you are not pulled in directions that interfere with your growth, expansion and ability to manifest what you were intended to share with this world.  It is important to realize when bait is being dangled in front of your "purpose path." Bait causes stuckness. "Bait" is anything or anyone who takes/asks/has opinions etc. regarding you or your situation, that hooks you in doubt, flip-flopping or in-assuredness, preventing you from getting grounded within yourself.  (Sometimes it is important to not share things with others (unless you want feedback), until you have self security regarding your decision (x) such that other people's "helpful" bait  . . . .doesn't ruffle your feathers.

Often, answers to the "River of Life" are found in "The Longest Silence" as there is more access to universal source energy and Pure Truth when the "busy" cessates, in comparison to when you are in constant contact with others and constant phone, computer utilization, interaction or work. At times, these things/connections etc, can be amazing.  They can also be a distraction from finding your purpose and/or using your gifts to present to this world.

Don't get caught in matter that isn't your milieu. And if you are . . .and don't know it  . . . .if you are not happy in life . . .ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I given someone the power to influence my decision differently from what I wanted to do from my heart?
  
• Has Person A said, " " and Person B said, " " and possibly Person C said, " " and you have gotten stuck in which direction to travel? Upstream? Downstream? Same position stream?
  

Don't get hooked on gimics. Don't get too hooked on people (unless equally hooked to yourself). Don't get hooked on attachment. Don't get hooked on hope. Live like a fisherman, patient, with bait corresponding to what he wants to catch . . . .and wait.  A gentle reminder, when I say wait . . . .if you never get in the boat . . . .life may pass you by. Notice the shape of the lighting on the cover of this book?  It's like an hourglass . . .the sky, mountains and the water.

Please don't just listen to other people, especially in places of power and authority.  Tune into yourself, get in touch with and feel your own Truth. .  . .ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO DECIDING WHAT IS BEST FOR YOUR HEALTH!! This process of getting in tune with self is possible during times of "The Longest Silence."  (You don't have to be a fisherman, though I heard, that one time, an Emperor sent out an official to find the "happiest man in the territory" so that he too could be happy.  The Emperor ordered the official to bring back this man's "soles." The official searched and searched.  By word of mouth, he finally found the happiest man in the territory.  It was an elderly fisherman living up on the mountain.  When the official ordered him to give the Emperor his soles, the fisherman responded, "I have none." 

An ascetic life in a modern world . . . .Finding your balance and your wu-wei - (the easiest path of resistance). (I'm sure there's an engineering or physics term for this concept too - I only share for fractal similarities across different subject areas . . . More evidence for Truth?) Decide for yourself :)

Lily Janet Kotila, M.A., M.A.T., PhD(c)
Plant Medicine Integration Therapist
Addiction, PTSD, Trauma & Relational Therapist
Hypnotherapy

e: lilykotila8@gmail.com

PEACE, LOVE AND HAPPINESS