Truth:

An observation by physicist Niels Bohr:

“There are trivial truths and great truths.
The opposite of a trivial truth is plainly false.
The opposite of a great truth is also true.”

Live Deeply

Embrace new experiences: go beyond your comfort zone.  New experiences are life. Live deeply. Be who you are: What are your dreams? Your goals? Your loves? Who are you? Be that person.. Let Go of the Past: The past is good for two things: the happy memories, and the lessons it provides. Forgive. Let go. Be here now, and go forward. Be Kind: Recall those many times where you made mistakes, where you reacted out of negative emotions instead of responding from who you really are. Recall how you felt, or how you would have felt, if others responded to your mistakes with kindness instead of harsh criticism or a cold shoulder. Empathize, and choose to be kind. Be responsible for yourself: Whatever happens, only one person is responsible for how you respond to it: you.. You wish others were a certain way? You wish the world were a certain way? Be the example. Nurture relationships: Think of your most joyful moments. Think of all you have learned. Think of what has helped you grow. Chances are great these all involve other people, and other relations such as pets and nature too. You can choose to be lonely, but you are never alone. Recognize all you have and be grateful for it: If you are alive, if you can read this, if you can walk, talk, see, smell, taste, or feel, you are fortunate. Focus on all that you do have. Be grateful to be great. Do what inspires you: Painting, singing, writing, biking, swimming, gardening, reading, dancing, walking-what is your flame? What ignites you, inspires you, enlightens you, restores your life? Do it, and do it often. Remember that happiness is a state, not a circumstance: Happiness is a state of being, not merely a moment of pleasure or joy. By committing to your happiness you acknowledge and accept that there will be times of challenge and suffering, but by staying true to who you are you will not just endure but thrive. by Brian Vaszily, Founder of IntenseExperiences.com

Dust if You Must

This is an email I received from Sharon Niemand:
(The graphics did not copy...)

LADIES!!!

Remember...a layer of dust protects the wood beneath it.

'A house becomes a home when you can write 'I love you' on the furniture.'

I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect - 'in case someone came over'
Finally I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!

NOW, when people visit, I don't have to explain the 'condition' of my home
They are more interested in hearing about the things I've been doing while I was away living life and having fun.

If you haven't figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it!

Dust if you must ...
But wouldn't it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and lick the spoon or plant a seed, ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must, but there's not much time ...
With wonderful things to eat, rivers to swim and mountains to climb, music to hear and books to read, friends to cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must,
But the world's out there with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain. This day will not come 'round again.

Dust if you must, but bear in mind, old age will come and it's not kind...
And when you go - and go you must - you, yourself will make more dust!

Share this with all the wonderful women in your life.
I JUST DID.

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

I remember how charmed I was when Patrick talked about "Designer Dust" in his home... Thanks Patrick!

Kaizin

"Do the right things.
Act with integrity.
Be guided by your cleansed heart..
Live a simple life."

Kaizin = Constant and Never-ending Improvement

Question and Answer

Gretchen Rubin: Do you work on being happier? If so, how?

Gabriella Blair:

I guess I work hard on anything that's important to me, and happiness tops every list. Over the past few years, I've realized how much of me feeling happy is a choice. I'm still just figuring it out, but I try my best to make that choice every hour of every day. When I'm feeling negative emotions, I take responsibility for them and acknowledge that I can actively choose to feel happier that very minute. That very minute! How empowering is that?

I can usually create a clean slate in my mind if I sit still for a moment and offer up a quick, silent prayer. I try to envision how I would be behaving if I was happy. Then I do my best to behave that way. It sounds simple, but most of the best ideas in life are!

Really, life is so much more enjoyable when I'm happy. It makes my skin glow, too.

(from: Gretchen Rubin's Blog "The Happiness Project") www.happiness-project.com

An Hour a Day

"An hour a day keeps the dirt at bay."

Source unrecorded

Bounce Back - Idea 10 - Realize You're Not Alone

"The human spirit is remarkably resilient. We fall down - or get knocked down - yet somehow, most of the time, we manage to bounce back. But it can be hard.

When disappointments crowd in on you, sometimes you feel so alone, and so unable to go on. But when you look within yourself, way down deep inside, you come to the realization that you're really not alone."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jrnXbCd9kmw&feature=colike