Thank you Gurdeep for this beautiful and truthful message today. Just what I needed to hear. Carving your own path in this glorious life will always bring up feelings in others. Some will applaud, others will denigrate. To me, it makes little difference. I don't do it for the applause and the naysayers have their own paths to forge. Live and let live. And do as little damage to the planet and others while we pass this way. Your messages are a balm in a troubled world. Thanks again.
Very beautifully written, Dear Gurdeep! While I was reading your article, I was amazed to see how far I’ve come in my own personal journey. A few years ago, criticism and judgment used to bring a lot of self-doubt in me. I would wake up every morning feeling scared, thinking about all the negative things people had said. Over the years, books, podcasts, and self-awareness really helped me understand what’s truly important for me. And I realized that some close relatives, who I never thought of in that way, were critical because of their own mindset or limitations, just like you mentioned.
Being a sensitive person, when I found out what they had said behind my back and it matched what they had said to my face… I was deeply hurt and couldn’t understand how people could be like that.
After that experience, I’ve started being more honest with myself and my own needs. Now I also understand how important boundaries and self-awareness are.
At this point in my life, I hardly care what others think about me or my choices. When it comes to family, I understand they want the best for me, but I still follow my heart while respecting their feelings.
I’m really glad that all of this has helped me learn and grow.
Thank you for your article, Gurdeep! I especially like the beginning where you talk about several Indigenous people attending your workshop and they gave you a feather. And you put the sacred feather in your turban! Beautiful photo too! Beautiful photo at the end of the article, also! I just realized that one of my strengths is that I don’t care a whole heck of a lot of what people think of me. I do care what God thinks & feels about me. And I care what I think about me. But other people don’t know what I been through in life. They don’t even really know me. Take my sister and my son whom I love greatly but I don’t really care about their opinions about me because they don’t know the deeper parts of me, my traumas, my belief in God. They don’t know these experiences I had, starting at a very young age. Now, if I hurt anyone, I would feel awfully bad, I would apologize and try to make it up to the person I hurt, and I would try to correct my actions. *I also came from a family where we were free to dress how we liked, we made our own choices in friends and after school activities. We had anonymity. All within reason in the 70’s & 80’s. We were lucky that way!
Thank you for this message today - with so much judgement on line these days - I appreciate this reminder that we are who we are - unique and amazing!! Some people make it their business to try and remove our joy because it doesn't align with how they perceive the world. At the end of the day, our choices in life are our choices and that should be celebrated, not dismissed. As always I appreciate your message! Thankyou!
I just read this out loud to my 96 year old blind mother-in-law. She said, "oh my."
Your words parallel my philosophy of life. I have so many memories of speaking truth like this to my mother & sister, two people who often thought I originally came from Mars. You are correct Mr.P. when you summarize, "We are given but one precious chance to paint our masterpiece on time's canvas — make every brushstroke count, make every colour truly yours." Indeed!
Every dance, every song, every word, and every choice must be ours alone, to have ultimate meaning on the world stage.
I never got to share how much I appreciated your last email. So I thought I should make time for this one. This is been a hard time for me. Especially when I am judged by family members. This world seems to be in a sad state of climate change patterns with our wildfires out of control in Canada and people are impatient so there are more car accidents and fighting amongst everyone. But even my own family. I have 4 adult children. They have done well with their lives but as 3 of them are single they are at home. My oldest is married with one child and expecting another. My parents bless them are still alive but live 401 to 403 to QEW which sometimes takes hours to get to anymore. My married son lives an hour away. My family doesn't understand that I am still working and own my own business, have 3 adult children living in my house and making sure I can see my grandson. I just can't get there like I used to. It's daunting. But my siblings are all retired and have kids and just don't get it. They have excused themselves from my life and its painful. I have never judged them when I used to take our 4 children there and our dogs and took care of my nieces and nephews and parents needs for almost 30 yrs but these last 10 have been hard. Being judged is so hard because they have basically booted me out of the family and I am broken. So thank you for this.
Gurdeep, Were you criticized for putting the feather in your turban? If so by Sikhs or First Nations people?
A LOT OF TRUTH IN YOUR STATEMENT "Rather than trying to confine yourself to predetermined social frameworks or attempting to fit into restrictive societal boxes, allow your inner compass — your heart and spirit — to guide your journey. This applies to all aspects of self-expression, from how you present yourself physically to how you construct your daily life and long-term goals."
My similar view is we are to always honor all people as a part of the omnipresent Atman/ Creator/ Love which often will annoy their ego that wants to identify as special and apart from Creator God... DELIVER US FROM EGO.
Religion is analogous to a dollar bill to money, something tangible and a physical token for something that is metaphysical and hard for the mind to cognize without an external symbol.
Mismanaged religion has us binding to externals and the outer prodigal journey managed well religion (even the same religion) turns you within to connect to the Holy Spirit within us.
Thank you Gurdeep for this beautiful and truthful message today. Just what I needed to hear. Carving your own path in this glorious life will always bring up feelings in others. Some will applaud, others will denigrate. To me, it makes little difference. I don't do it for the applause and the naysayers have their own paths to forge. Live and let live. And do as little damage to the planet and others while we pass this way. Your messages are a balm in a troubled world. Thanks again.
Very beautifully written, Dear Gurdeep! While I was reading your article, I was amazed to see how far I’ve come in my own personal journey. A few years ago, criticism and judgment used to bring a lot of self-doubt in me. I would wake up every morning feeling scared, thinking about all the negative things people had said. Over the years, books, podcasts, and self-awareness really helped me understand what’s truly important for me. And I realized that some close relatives, who I never thought of in that way, were critical because of their own mindset or limitations, just like you mentioned.
Being a sensitive person, when I found out what they had said behind my back and it matched what they had said to my face… I was deeply hurt and couldn’t understand how people could be like that.
After that experience, I’ve started being more honest with myself and my own needs. Now I also understand how important boundaries and self-awareness are.
At this point in my life, I hardly care what others think about me or my choices. When it comes to family, I understand they want the best for me, but I still follow my heart while respecting their feelings.
I’m really glad that all of this has helped me learn and grow.
I love this photo of yours so much!
Beautiful dance video!
Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing this. I needed to read it.
Thank you for your article, Gurdeep! I especially like the beginning where you talk about several Indigenous people attending your workshop and they gave you a feather. And you put the sacred feather in your turban! Beautiful photo too! Beautiful photo at the end of the article, also! I just realized that one of my strengths is that I don’t care a whole heck of a lot of what people think of me. I do care what God thinks & feels about me. And I care what I think about me. But other people don’t know what I been through in life. They don’t even really know me. Take my sister and my son whom I love greatly but I don’t really care about their opinions about me because they don’t know the deeper parts of me, my traumas, my belief in God. They don’t know these experiences I had, starting at a very young age. Now, if I hurt anyone, I would feel awfully bad, I would apologize and try to make it up to the person I hurt, and I would try to correct my actions. *I also came from a family where we were free to dress how we liked, we made our own choices in friends and after school activities. We had anonymity. All within reason in the 70’s & 80’s. We were lucky that way!
Another priceless gift from Gurdeep 🙏
Weirdos of the world, unite!
Thank you for this message today - with so much judgement on line these days - I appreciate this reminder that we are who we are - unique and amazing!! Some people make it their business to try and remove our joy because it doesn't align with how they perceive the world. At the end of the day, our choices in life are our choices and that should be celebrated, not dismissed. As always I appreciate your message! Thankyou!
I just read this out loud to my 96 year old blind mother-in-law. She said, "oh my."
Your words parallel my philosophy of life. I have so many memories of speaking truth like this to my mother & sister, two people who often thought I originally came from Mars. You are correct Mr.P. when you summarize, "We are given but one precious chance to paint our masterpiece on time's canvas — make every brushstroke count, make every colour truly yours." Indeed!
Every dance, every song, every word, and every choice must be ours alone, to have ultimate meaning on the world stage.
I never got to share how much I appreciated your last email. So I thought I should make time for this one. This is been a hard time for me. Especially when I am judged by family members. This world seems to be in a sad state of climate change patterns with our wildfires out of control in Canada and people are impatient so there are more car accidents and fighting amongst everyone. But even my own family. I have 4 adult children. They have done well with their lives but as 3 of them are single they are at home. My oldest is married with one child and expecting another. My parents bless them are still alive but live 401 to 403 to QEW which sometimes takes hours to get to anymore. My married son lives an hour away. My family doesn't understand that I am still working and own my own business, have 3 adult children living in my house and making sure I can see my grandson. I just can't get there like I used to. It's daunting. But my siblings are all retired and have kids and just don't get it. They have excused themselves from my life and its painful. I have never judged them when I used to take our 4 children there and our dogs and took care of my nieces and nephews and parents needs for almost 30 yrs but these last 10 have been hard. Being judged is so hard because they have basically booted me out of the family and I am broken. So thank you for this.
So true.🕊️
Thank you so much for your writing! Your words always speak right to my heart.
Thank you. I needed to hear this today. Much love.
Gurdeep, Were you criticized for putting the feather in your turban? If so by Sikhs or First Nations people?
A LOT OF TRUTH IN YOUR STATEMENT "Rather than trying to confine yourself to predetermined social frameworks or attempting to fit into restrictive societal boxes, allow your inner compass — your heart and spirit — to guide your journey. This applies to all aspects of self-expression, from how you present yourself physically to how you construct your daily life and long-term goals."
My similar view is we are to always honor all people as a part of the omnipresent Atman/ Creator/ Love which often will annoy their ego that wants to identify as special and apart from Creator God... DELIVER US FROM EGO.
Religion is analogous to a dollar bill to money, something tangible and a physical token for something that is metaphysical and hard for the mind to cognize without an external symbol.
Mismanaged religion has us binding to externals and the outer prodigal journey managed well religion (even the same religion) turns you within to connect to the Holy Spirit within us.
I was never criticized by anyone for this. Thank you.
good I am glad. Sat Sri Akaal.