7
Lessons to Live by in 2013
Lesson #1: Overcoming
Fear
They say the best way to learn something is to dive
right into it. Be prepared to fail but this is how we learn. Only those who are
asleep make no mistakes. If we stay aligned to truth then fear will have no
choice but to fade away.
Action: Make a list of those things you
fear and then plan to take on one of those fears each day.
“It was a
high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, “Always do what you are
afraid to do.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Lesson #2: Intention &
Desire
Our thoughts determine our reality. When we stop
thinking about what we don’t want and begin thinking about what we do want, our
lives begin to transform. Instead of working against our desires and intentions,
we move into alignment with them.
Action: Create a list of your
intentions and desires. Wherever you go, take this list with you. Read it when
you wake up and before you go to sleep.
All that we are is the result of what we have
thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.”- Guatama
Buddha
Lesson #3: Happiness
Happiness comes from an inner peace, understanding and
acceptance of life; a perspective of truth that opens your eyes to the beauty of
life all around us. Happiness cannot be achieved by external status, it must be
an internal state that we realize when we see our innate
perfection.
Action: Realize that happiness is a
choice. In every decision you make ask yourself “how can I respond to make
myself happy and fulfilled?”
“Happiness depends more on the inward disposition
of mind than on outward circumstances.”
– Benjamin
Franklin
Lesson #4: Self
Acceptance
When we stop trying to be what we are not, we realize
our authenticity. Before we had knowledge, we were completely authentic. We
learn to use knowledge to measure and judge, which is a powerful tool we have as
humans. However we create an image of perfection in our mind of what we should
be, but are not. We confuse knowledge for nature. We believe in the lie of our
imperfection. When we realize this we can reclaim the truth of our perfection
and live in love and acceptance.
Action: Make a commitment to never go
against yourself. Practice non-judgment of self and others.
“If a house be divided against itself, that house
cannot stand.” – Jesus
Lesson #5: Appreciation &
Gratitude
How many times do we count our misfortunes rather than
our blessings? When we take time to open our eyes to the miracle of life we can
see the many gifts that have been given to us. Remembering all the wonderful aspects of life and all the reasons you are
blessed can immediately shift our mood. We can move from sorrow and despair to
appreciation and hope.
Action:
Each time you find yourself complaining about something, re-direct your focus to
something you are grateful for. Make a habit of transforming your awareness of
troubles into an awareness of abundance.
“So much has been given to me, I have not time to
ponder over that which has been denied.”
– Helen
Keller
Lesson #6:
Simplicity
Perfection is not when there is nothing to add, but
when there is nothing more to take away. As Bruce Lee once said “the height of
cultivation always runs to simplicity.” True mastery of our lives is realizing
the simple joys of life, removing distractions and clutter from our
lives.
Action: The art of simplicity is
knowing what to take away. Recognize when you are spending time on unimportant
things, then shift your focus to important things.
“I made this letter longer than usual because I
lack the time to make it short.”
– Blaise Pascal
Lesson #7: Realizing your
Dreams
In order for us to achieve our dreams we need to know
what they are. Writing down exactly what it is that you would like to achieve in
life is a geat starting point. Then try breaking it down into smaller parts or
something you can do each day to bring yourself closer to your dream.
VIsualizing it coming to fruition is a wonderful step in the right
direction.
Action: Create a vision board or
whatever motivates you to move towards your dream everyday.
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end
up someplace else.”
– Lawrence J. Peter
Namaste,
Mary Jane Feng Shui Master & Yogi
