Hello,
and thanks for joining us today! We hope that
your day is a great one
so far, and that you're able to keep your mind on
all of the blessings that are
a part of your life--we thank you for sharing this
planet with us, and for being
here and offering your positive presence to this
world of ours!
The
longer you live the more you realize that forgiveness,
consideration, and
kindness are three of the great secrets of life. -
unattributed
Of course there is no formula for success
except, perhaps,
an unconditional acceptance
of life and what it brings. -Artur Rubinstein
Grown men can learn from very little
children for the hearts of little children
are pure. Therefore, the Great Spirit may show to them
many things which older people miss. -
Black Elk
The relationship between commitment and
doubt is by no means
an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest
when
it is not without doubt but in spite of doubt. -
Rollo May
Many of us treat our cars better than we do our
bodies. After all, we wash our cars regularly, we
wax them, and we make sure their engines are in safe
working order. We get them checkups when they're due and
we take them to the "car doctor" at the
slightest hint of a problem.
Do you do the same for your body? How well do you
take care of yourself? Do you exercise or are you
too lazy or tired? Do you grab food on the
fly? Do you raise your energy level with soft drinks
and caffeine? How do you sleep? Do you turn to
alcohol or medication in an attempt to calm yourself down?
The truth is that these days, a large number of people are
not dying from natural causes. Rather, they are
dying from their own bad choices. Some may be
stress-induced, others may be affected by the environment,
but much of our bad health and many of our premature
deaths come from the processed foods and additives we put
into our bodies. We just don't take good enough care
of ourselves.
Did you know that your ability to cope with stress is
directly related to your health, dietary choices,
exercise, and your ability to sleep? If any one of
these four elements is out of balance, your emotional and
physical health will not be stable and your life may be
shortened.
If
your goal is to feel good, to be healthy, and to live a
long life, you have to take responsibility for the whole
package. It's not only about how positive you are or
how clearly you think. It's also about what you eat
and drink and how you take care of your body.
It is time to let go of excuses for not feeling
good. There are some easy, life-changing solutions
that will help you feel better immediately. They
will help you get more sleep and have more energy during
the day. You can take control of your health and
feel better physically and emotionally. Remember,
when you don't feel well, it doesn't matter what kind of
car you drive, where you live, or where you go on
vacation. If your health is poor, you won't want to
drive or go on vacation, no matter how much money you
have.
The bottom line is that money cannot buy health. But
if you feel good, you'll have the stamina to reach for the
stars. You'll be able to do your job efficiently,
keep up with your kids, and still have enough left over to
enjoy an evening out. You really have a lot more
control than you might think. I encourage you to
take responsibility for your own good mood, good health,
and great attitude. These are things you can control
right now. If you choose to be less affected and
more effective, being physically fit can make all the
difference in the world.
Start right now. The smallest change, even though
you think it won't make a difference, really will
matter. The results may not initially be obvious on
the outside, but on the inside, dramatic changes are
occurring. From calming your mind to losing a few
unwanted pounds, a few small changes in diet, exercise,
and attitude can have a significant effect on your
self-esteem and vitality. Congratulate yourself for
taking that first step, precisely what you need right now
to stay motivated and inspired along your path toward
optimum health.
We
have some
inspiring and motivational books that may interest you. Our main way of supporting this site is
through the sale of books, either physical copies
or digital copies for your Amazon Kindle (including the
online reader). All of the money that we earn
through them comes back to the site
in one way or another. Just click on the picture
to the left to visit our page of books, both fiction and
non-fiction!
I choose
for my subject, faith wrought into life apart from creed or
dogma. By faith, I mean a vision of good one cherishes and
enthusiasm that pushes one to seek its fulfillment, regardless
of obstacles. Faith is a dynamic power that breaks the
chain of routine, and gives a new, fine turn to old
commonplaces. Faith reinvigorates the will, enriches the
affections, and awakens a sense of creativeness. Active
faith knows no fear, and it is a safeguard to me against
cynicism and despair.
After
all, faith is not one thing or two or three things. It is
an indivisible totality of beliefs that inspire me: belief
in God as infinite goodwill and all-seeing Wisdom, whose
everlasting arms sustain me walking on the sea of life.
Trust in my fellow people, wonder at their fundamental goodness,
and confidence that after this night of sorrow and oppression,
they will rise up strong and beautiful in the glory of the
morning. Reverence for the beauty and preciousness of the
earth, and a sense of responsibility to do what I can to make it
a habitation of health and plenty for all people. Faith in
immortality because it renders less bitter the separation from
those I have loved and lost, and because it will free me from
its unnatural limitations, and unfold still more faculties I
have in joyous activity.
Even if my
vital spark should be blown out, I believe that I should behave
with courageous dignity in the presence of fate and strive to be a
worthy companion of the beautiful, the good, and the true.
But fate has its master in the faith of those who surmount it, and
limitation has its limits for those who, though disillusioned,
live greatly.
It was a
terrible blow to my faith when I learned that millions of my
fellow creatures must labor all their days for food and shelter,
beat the most crushing burdens, and die without having known the
joy of living. My security vanished forever, and I have
never regained the radiant belief of my young years that earth is
a happy home and hearth for the majority of humankind. But
faith is a state of mind. The believer is not soon
disheartened. If the believers are turned out of their
shelter, they build up a house that the winds of the earth cannot
destroy.
When I
think of suffering and famine, and the continued slaughter of
human beings, my spirit bleeds. But the thought comes to me
that, like the little deaf, dumb, and blind child I once was,
humankind is growing out of the darkness of ignorance and hate
into the light of a brighter day.
Living
Life Fully, the e-zine
exists to try to provide for visitors of the world wide web a
place
of growth, peace, inspiration, and encouragement. Our
articles
are presented as thoughts of the authors--by no means do
we
mean to present them as ways that anyone has to live
life. Take
from them what you will, and disagree with
whatever you disagree
with--just know that they'll be here for you
each week.
It does not
always help to analyze and think about problems with your rational
mind.
Sometimes it is far more effective to turn to your inner
self, to ask the universe for
help. Simply sit quietly. Take
a few deep breaths and focus your awareness within.
Ask your wise
inner self, either silently or aloud, for guidance or help in
understanding
the message. As you get a sense of what feels right,
act on this feeling.
I was thinking
the other day about the things that I truly want in life.
It's kind of funny, but riches and fame and material things didn't
even make the list. While I would like to have enough money
to be financially solvent, and I would like to stop losing money
in certain ventures, it truly isn't one of my highest priorities
in life. We have enough to get by, and enough to get by is
enough. And I trust that if an emergency comes for which
we'll need more, we'll have more.
But my list
was more involved with the things that make me feel valuable, and
that make me feel accepted and loved and appreciated. And
many of the things that I want, I already have, so my list isn't a
wish list, but a want list of wants that are for the most part
fulfilled.
Here's what I
want, in no particular order:
1. I
want to receive messages that validate me or my actions.
They don't have to be huge shows of gratitude or appreciation or
admiration, but it helps me a lot to hear that somebody has
noticed what I do and does appreciate it. Most of us do a
huge amount of work that no one ever acknowledges, and we often
wonder if our work is worth it. A simple "nice
job" now and then can do wonders.
2. I
want to see evidence that I'm accepted for who I am, just as I
am. Again, the evidence doesn't have to be lavish or
extreme, just a little kind word now and then that tells me that
some people appreciate my presence.
3. I
want to see indications that I'm doing things well.
Ironically enough, I've found that the people who do the best work
hear the least feedback, for there's no need to correct
them. While I don't need feedback in order to continue to do
things well, it can provide that "breath of fresh air"
that can help us to go on with what we're doing.
4. I
want to see signs that my future is bright. If I work very
hard to make the present positive, it can be very discouraging not
to have any indication that what I'm doing today is going to
affect the future in a positive way.
5. I
want to hear words of encouragement. They help me to put
things into perspective, and they help me to put more energy and
effort into the things that I do.
6. I
want to be reminded of my value as a person.
I do have
value, and I know in my heart that my knowledge of that fact is
all I really need, but what a lift it is when someone else takes
the time and makes the effort to remind me of this!
7. I
want to receive assurance that I matter, that I count for
something in this world. If I start to think that I'm just
using up precious air, water, food, and space, life can become
very difficult to get through. I know that I do matter, but
do others recognize it, too?
8. I
want to believe truly that I've made a difference in the world,
some way, somehow. This would let me know that all of my
efforts haven't been in vain, and haven't gone unnoticed or
unused. Even if it's a very small effect, almost
unnoticeable in this huge world of ours, just knowing that I've
contributed something positive would make a great difference to
me.
Why
do I tell you these things? That's simple--look around
yourself sometime today, and notice all the people who are there
with you. Try to remember that all of these people, no
matter their age, size, religion, race, nationality, or gender,
would love to have these very same things. Your husband or
wife, your daughter or son, your parents, aunts, cousins, and
neighbors, all would benefit from someone giving them even one of
these gifts. The woman at the register in the supermarket,
your co-workers, your boss or your subordinates or the waiter in
the restaurant--any of them would love to hear words that would
fulfill one of these wants.
And
what's even more important is the fact that you have the ability
to fulfill these wants. It doesn't cost you anything at all,
and the potential benefits are huge. If these wants go
unfulfilled, people find anger, depression, frustration, envy, and
all sorts of other things to take their place.
The
power to change the world is in your hands, and it's in my
hands. If we start to fulfill these wants in other
people--on a very regular basis--we can start to transform this
beautiful world that we live in.
So,
who will be the first beneficiary of your giving?
No
ray of sunlight
is ever lost,
but the green that
it wakes
needs time
to sprout,
and it is
not
always granted
to the sower
to see the
harvest.
All work that it worth
anything is done in faith.
Over-tip breakfast
waitresses.
Hide a love-note for your child or honey to see.
Every once in a while, take the scenic route.
When you feel terrific, notify your face.
Be the first to
smile.
Let cars in in traffic.
Take a night class.
Plant flowers. And
smell them.
Forgive someone who
doesn't deserve it.
Wear wild, shocking
underwear under business attire.
At grocery check out,
occasionally allow others in line.
Or offer change.
Go to a Bookstore.
Always have a
motivational tape in your car.
Tape record your
parents' or children's laughter.
Put your photos in an
album.
Watch a sunset.
Watch a sunrise.
Every once in a
while, let adventure rule.
Start your day with
music.
End your day with
music.
Love someone who
doesn't deserve it.
Buy a bird feeder.
Take a bubble bath by
candle light.
Count your blessings.
Giving is receiving.
If I had influence with the good fairy who is supposed to
preside over
the christening of all children, I should ask that
her gift to each child
in the world be a sense of wonder so
indestructible that it would last
throughout life, as an unfailing
antidote against the boredom and
disenchantments of later years,
and the sterile preoccupation
with things that are artificial, the
alienation
from the sources of our strength.
Yes, life
can be mysterious and confusing--but there's much of life that's
actually rather dependable and reliable. Some principles apply
to life in so many different contexts that they can truly be called
universal--and learning what they are and how to approach them and use
them can teach us some of the most important lessons that we've ever
learned.
My doctorate is in Teaching and Learning. I use it a lot when I
teach at school, but I also do my best to apply what I've learned to
the life I'm living, and to observe how others live their lives.
What makes them happy or unhappy, stressed or peaceful, selfish or
generous, compassionate or arrogant? In this book, I've done my
best to pass on to you what I've learned from people in my life,
writers whose works I've read, and stories that I've heard.
Perhaps these principles can be a positive part of your life, too! Universal Principles of Living Life Fully. Awareness of
these principles can explain a lot and take much of the frustration
out of the lives we lead.
Explore all of our
quotations pages--these links will take you to the first page of each
topic, and those pages will contain links to any additional pages on
the same topic (there are five pages on adversity, for example).
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