Lao Tzu and Albert Einstein: From Chaos and Crisis to Harmony and Opportunity

I have faith in the future and in human beings

In the Middle of Difficulty lies Opportunity

Albert Einstein's three rules of work: 'Out of clutter find simplicity; from discord find harmony; in the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' 

Who knew simplicity, harmony and opportunity were at the core of Albert Einstein's work values? Or how effortlessly Einstein's philosophy would dovetail with the simple wisdom of Lao Tzu?

'To the mind that is still, the whole universe surrenders.' Lao Tzu

When we combine the wisdom of these two great minds we discover a straightforward way through the chaos and clutter of our current difficulties to the opportunities that lie ahead.

• When we sit quiet, out of clutter, simplicity emerges.
• When we sit quiet in the midst of discord, harmony emerges.
• When we sit quiet in the middle of difficulty, opportunity emerges.

I am resilient in the face of setbacks.

A Still Mind Calms the Chaos and Crisis

Many situations in life break your heart, spirit and belief in yourself and life--making you feel you could never again recover that essential, childlike innocence you were born with. But you can.

No matter what difficulty you're currently facing, the way through is to begin to create moments of quiet to still your mind one step at a time. No--this isn't easy, but it is essential. 

Each moment of my life is new, fresh & vital.

Take the First Step to Regain a Hopeful Heart and Renew Your Wounded Spirit

Not much has changed in the thousands of years humans have been facing and recovering from the difficulties of life. 

Lao Tzu stated so long ago, 'a journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step'. 

You fuel your inner strength and sense of resiliency by taking action. But sometimes when faced with 'a journey of a thousand miles' you can be overwhelmed with the daunting task of where to begin. What is the first step?

The good news is any first step will do. Your hope, resiliency, and personal strength will grow stronger with every step you take. It doesn't matter what the first step is. As you experience yourself being pro-active and physically taking action, your ability to cope and hope will improve. So start with a single step--any step-- and then another.

I allow my mind to relax--I am at peace

Take Small Steps

An old Chinese Proverb says, 'The man who moved a mountain is the one who started taking away the small stones'. When you're in total overwhelm mode, start 'taking away the small stones'--one small step, then another.

When you stay in chaos and crisis mode you are unable to find the simplicity, harmony and opportunity present in every situation. But take a breather or walk to calm the mind, and the whole universe surrenders to you.

In times of darkness I trustingly step back into the light

Where can you apply this to your Life?

• What difficulty are you currently facing?
• Where in your life could you benefit from taking a breather to calm your mind?
• Where in your life would you like to rekindle simplicity,harmony and opportunity? Do it now.

'If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading'. Lao Tzu

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For more than 30 years, Susan Meyerott has been helping people lighten up and step over invisible barriers to change one step at a time. She speaks to your heart, puts you at ease, and makes changing easier than ever before.

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