An ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating acorns, but never looking up to see where they come from. – Timothy Dexter
ingratitude
We suffer because of our expectations of others. We expect others to be thankful for all that we do for them. Are they always thankful? Of course not. So what should we do? How can we protect our own sanity?
life principles
3rd Basic Technique to ‘Cultivate a Mental Attitude that will Bring You Peace and Happiness’ : Expect ingratitude.
If we just expect ‘ingratitude’ then we’ll be happy. Simple. Decide in advance that there will be many who’ll not appreciate what we do for them. Be happy anyway…
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM thankful for what I can do!
Recommendation: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Why The Soul Must Come First!
Do not take thought for your persons or your properties, but first and chiefly to care about the greatest improvement of the soul. – Socrates
soul
The soul (or spirit) comes first. The soul has a body, the body doesn’t have a soul. We’re so accustomed to thinking that we have a soul. Apparently it’s the other way around! That turns a few things around doesn’t it?
our job
Our job is to figure out our relationship to this soul that resides within us. The soul that has us! We must devote a significant part of our life to that end. We’re certainly not doing that right now. And it’s evidenced by the current state of world-wide affairs. Let’s attempt to become more soul sensitive…
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM my soul…
Recommendation: The Urantia Papers
How Fear Can Be Our Friend…
Our fears can offer us a little wisdom, a bit of insight and a version of that most elusive thing, the truth. – Karen Thompson Walker
fear
We must not fear fear. Instead we must look at it differently. How might we do that? Take a peek at this 11 minute TED video by the author of the above quote What fear can teach us.
it’s a story
Karen exhorts us to look at our fears as stories. We create these stories, we are the main characters and we imagine the events vividly, just like an artist. Because the end isn’t quite known there’s even an element of mystery in our creations! By examining the storylines we will recognize that we get drawn to the most vivid and easy to imagine events. We ought to step back dispassionately and examine the plots more objectively. And when we do that our fears might reveal the gift that they are…
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM exploring my fears!
Recommendation: Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
How To Solve Any Problem…
Don’t know what to do next? Meet some people… – NamasteNow!
next step?
Most of us clamp up when we don’t know what to do next. We worry and run dire scenarios in our heads. What we might need most during this time of procrastination and worry is action!
through humans…
Let’s consider talking to someone. Anyone. Spouses, siblings, friends or strangers, anyone will do! We’ll be amazed at what happens next! Doors will open, a path will be become more clear, connections will be made and we’ll start to feel much better. Divinity and her agents act primarily through humans. We will meet the person we most need to meet once we decide to reach out. Let’s keep an open mind and go chat with someone!
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM talking to people!
Recommendation: The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Why It’s All Good…
A good fortune may forebode a bad luck, which may in turn disguise a good fortune. – Chinese Proverb
good fortune
We seek good fortune. We want our life to be happy and generally uneventful. Turns out our life is not just a bed of roses. To what end is all this playing out? What’s the meaning behind everything? The very question (on meaning) is a clue for us…
all is well
There’s a grand and divine plan. We see the tiniest pieces of it and nary have a clue about what’s going on. If we believe in divinity then it’s in our best interest to keep the faith and know that not only will it all work out but all is well, now.
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM good with what is…
Recommendation: All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kind… by Robert Fulghum
How To Defeat Any Enemy!
The shaft of the arrow had been feathered with one of the eagle’s own plumes. We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction. – Aesop’s Fables
enemies!
Who are our enemies? They are people, things or events that unnerve us, throw us off-balance and make us ‘lose it’. When we do ‘lose it’ we generate negativity that boomerangs back at us. Let’s be careful about what we spin up!
life principles
2nd Basic Technique to ‘Cultivate a Mental Attitude that will Bring You Peace and Happiness’ : Never try to get even with your enemies!
Getting even with enemies never works, it hurts us. Instead let’s cultivate a heart filled with peace, patience and understanding. We can defeat any enemy by vanquishing our own demons!
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM a lover of my enemies!
Recommendation: How to Stop Worrying and Start Living by Dale Carnegie
Why Do We Exist?
The purpose of life is to know and express Who You Are. – Neale Donald Walsch
life
That life has meaning is clear because we enjoy life. Time with family, our relationships with each other and expressive pursuits that energize us are examples. Life has even more meaning when we uncover the divine hand behind everything. Divinity has expressed itself in a myriad forms upon a colorful tapestry that surrounds us and is us.
expression
God expresses itself as us for many reasons. One of them is to understand its own grandiosity and infinity. We have a similar purpose. As we express who we are we get to know self. We discover deep meaning in our own activities and inter-connectedness. Life is an invaluable gift that the divine bestowed upon us. What do we make of it?
Daily Affirmation: Today I AM an expression of divinity!
Recommendation: Meditations from Conversations With God by Neale Donald Walsch
