What We Say should reflect What We think
this does not mean an all out rude fest. all this means is that we should train our brain to stop thinking ill thoughts. if we can accomplish this feat, then what we say can always be in harmony with what we think.
Live a Balanced Life
just like in kindergarten (or the eco-system)--everything in moderation is the key to a good life.
Be Courageous
A few examples:
making a drastic change to improve one's life,
being the unpopular voice (sometimes known as the voice of reason),
speaking up when it matters,
breaking something in order to fix something,
jumping into untested waters.
Be Generous
share a part of yourself whether it be time, money, or both. HOWEVER, it is important to remember that we should give as much as we receive if we are to maintain balance and harmony. giving too much of oneself in an unbalanced manner results in the depletion of one's spirit. being able to define the right amount of what is shared requires courage.
Be Happy
focus on anything and everything that has brought joy to your life. waste no time on anything that hasn't.
like enjoying this 3.21.2007 conversation with my 6 yr.old:
G: "was Jesus ever bad?"
Me: "no."
G: "you mean he never sneezed on anybody accidentally?"
Me: "not that i know of"
G: "man he's good!"
Be Organized
start by purging all that is unneccessary.
saving something because you don't want to waste it does no good.
remember what is old to you is new to someone else and may bring more pleasure to the next person.
case in point, check out my new shoes:
yesterday my friend Clarissa cleaned out her closet. she gave me these fabulous Jimmy Choos. (woo hoo!)
with organization comes cleanliness. i am learning that it is a heck of a lot easier to clean when there is less stuff. (a shout out to tsbowser)
Be A Beautiful Person Inside and Out.
this morning my 8 yr old asked me to stand outside with them while waiting for the bus.
i said, "no i'll watch from here (from inside the glass door)-- i'm ugly"
(you know, coyote-ugly morning look)
her response: "you are beautiful on the inside"
inner beauty: check.
Have Wisdom.
those of us not born with this inherent characteristic should be willing to learn from those who do know how to live well.
typically people that live well are beautiful people
(and i don't mean this in a Cosmopolitan Magazine sort of way either)
they live in harmony and balance.
they have courage.
they are generous.
they live clean and happy lives...and
have the wisdom to be grateful* for everything.
Two authors have written about this--Sarah Ban Breathnach in her book Simple Abundance is highly recommended. Suze Orman (not that i'm a fan) calls this the 8 qualities of wealthy women but I decided to give it a universal adaptation because although it made sense to me, the title somehow rubbed me the wrong way.
*speaking of which, TGIF--i am grateful for trader joe's chocolate lava cakes, kids are half-day today, steve and my shoes. how about you?