Exaltation

"When a wave of love takes over a human being... such an exaltation takes him that he knows he has put his finger on the pulse of the great secret and the great answer." - Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

"Exaltation signifies a peak experience -- functioning at full capacity in an elevated state. In astrology, a planet is exalted when it's in the sign allowing its greatest expression (so only 1/12 of the time).  We, too, long for exaltation but like the planets, our lives achieve it only rarely.  In love and sex, exalted feelings can easily overpower other emotions and experiences -- and thank the stars for that, since initial infatuation helps us overlook personal differences long enough for a loving bond to take root. We all have euphoric recall for our exaltations: when we hit the ball out of the park, when our words had meaning and were felt and understood, when our jokes made people laugh, when we thrived in joy.

Conversely, recalling peak experiences can dishearten us, convincing us that normal life is colorless or has passed us by. The vitality we feel one day to fulfill our potential can easily dissipate into doubt and despair. But the simple practice of acceptance is a great antidote for these fluctuations.  True transpersonal exaltation is by definition bigger than any of us; its not a state we can will or manipulate into being. Still, while much of the world we do to grow our hearts is an inside job, and while the experience of exaltation cannot be commanded, it can be encouraged through a benevolent focus on others. Through affirming others' potential with gentle, persistent knowing and support, we exalt the qualities we hold dear. And in time we will realize that we love in others exactly what we value in ourselves."

I didn't write the above excerpt on exaltation, and I'm not sure I completely agree with all of it. However it's definitely been a trip to get curious about it. What do you think readers? Exalt in others that which you most desire in yourself. Take this weekend to see the best in others.

Also, the weekend can't end without me mentioning how absolutely fabulous Sophia Bush looked on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show. #airhashtag #hervoice #hereyes #thatdress #chicagoPD #onetreehill