When you go out into the woods and you look at trees, you see all these different trees. And some of them are bent, and some of them are straight, and some of them are evergreens, and some of them are whatever. And you look at the tree and you allow it. You see why it is the way it is. You sort of understand that it didn’t get enough light, and so it turned that way. And you don’t get all emotional about it. You just allow it. You appreciate the tree.

The minute you get near humans, you lose all that. And you are constantly saying, ‘You’re too this, or I’m too this.’ That judging mind comes in.

And so I practice turning people into trees. Which means appreciating them just the way they are.

The Three Stages of Destruction

If you’re weak, they won’t negotiate — they’ll erase you.

If you’re strong, they’ll pretend to seek peace — while buying time to study you, soften your people, and paint you as the problem.

If you’re too strong to deceive, they won’t dare negotiate — they’ll either respect you or find others to bleed for them.

Power is the only language your enemies truly respect.

The oppressor does not fear your numbers. He fears your unity. For even a single heart with truth is heavier than an army without purpose.

If you depend on their promises, you’ve already surrendered. The strong do not ask for trust — they force caution

When they can’t defeat you in war, they’ll invite you to talk. Be careful — surrender often wears the mask of diplomacy.

They will challenge your weakness, tolerate your strength, but only respect your dominance

Loneliness and solitude often occur together but are not the same thing. You can be in an empty room and feel at peace. Similarly, you can be surrounded by people, yet feel profoundly alone.

One of the best ways to show confidence is to speak slowly, instead of rushing it. Nervous people rush things to mask their nervousness

Once you understand the power of your words, you won’t just say anything.

Once you understand the power of your thoughts, you won’t just think anything.

And once you understand the power of your presence, you won’t just be anywhere.

Know your worth.

Instead of viewing others as ‘bad’ or ‘wrong’ or 'evil’ - simply view them as limited. Their level of consciousness limits them to unpalatable behaviors and they simply cannot do better considering their current level of understanding and awareness. They are not bad, they are simply limited.

This small shift in perspective allows you greater peace, greater compassion, forgiveness and grace. Remember, the higher you move in consciousness, the less fault you find in others.