Everything counts. Everything that has happened to you, good or bad, has
left its gifts or its wounds. Enjoy the one and deal with the other.
The past is over. Let it go.
Appreciate all the people who make your life better. Out loud. When they
are present. Even (especially?) when you are feeling annoyed or dispirited.
Your health is one of the most precious things in your life. Taking care
of yourself is the finest self-indulgence.
Cultivate good habits in yourself, but be sure to blend them with
pleasure. Each day should nurture you in all ways.
Eat to live, but enjoy every morsel to the fullest.
Exercise every day in a way that gives you delight.
Spend time with friends who make you feel good about yourself and the world.
Set aside a little time for quiet reflection every day.
Remember to breathe.
Use your gifts to make the world a better place. It's deeply satisfying.
Open your heart and then open your heart and then open your heart again.
Life is too short to let yourself become a crabbed, bitter old person.
John Sundman <mailto:j...@wetmachine.com>
May 19, 2014 at 3:21 AM May 19, 2014
* Religion is bunk (hat tip to Henry Ford, "History is bunk."). I
believed this starting about age 17, but only began to see deep
implications of this fact in my 40's. Beware religious tribalism. It's
everywhere.
The mythology of religion might be bunk, but religious practices have
deep psychological truth in them. There might be no one out there to
pray to, the practice of prayer is grounding and centering. Parts of all
religious books were written by some of the wisest human beings of their
times. You can glean much of value if you can translate those writings
into terms you can understand and accept.
Similarly, there is much of value in a sincere religious community.
Becoming a deeper and more compassionate human being is a worthy goal in
the latter part of one's life, and a good religious community can be
extremely supportive in that endeavor. Religious communities are also
superlative at helping people face illness, death, and dying with grace
and loving support. Many religious communities are also involved in
various worthy projects to which we can contribute.
--
In appreciation,
Heather Madrone (heat...@madrone.com)
http://www.friend-in-need.blogspot.com
Walk cheerfully over the world, answering that of God in everyone.
