Rules I
Try to Live By
1. The Golden
Rule: treat others the way you would like to be treated, that is with respect,
kindness, consideration, help in times of need, encouragement, praise, and good
cheer. Not just the obvious ones, but in all our daily actions that put us in
contact with people. This is a rule that is, in one way or another, given in
all the world’s great religions.
2. Each day
try in thought, word, and deed to make the world a better place. This includes
behaving according to the Golden Rule, but also includes (a) volunteering and
giving of your time and energy in ways that help make your community (or state
or nation or world if you have those talents) a better place, and (b) sharing
your wealth with those in need, and support good causes (you don’t need to be
wealthy to do this). I believe this is one of the keys to prosperity.
3. Virtue is
its own reward. It is a service
you owe yourself.
4. Forgiveness
is also a service you owe yourself. It is a way to free yourself of anger or
resentments toward another person who has hurt or angered you in some way. As
long as you hang onto that anger you are hurting yourself. Anger and resentment are physically and
emotionally toxic. Forgiveness
doesn’t necessarily mean repairing the relationship with that person, and it
doesn’t mean you think what that person did was okay.
5. Coming to
grips with and accepting my own mortality has helped me live more fully in the
present and get a better grasp on priorities - what is really important.
6. Meister
Johannes Eckhart, a German theologian said, “If the only prayer you ever say is
thank you, that will be enough.” I’m not sure what this meant to him, but to me
it speaks of the importance of gratitude. I start out most every day with
thoughts of gratitude to the Unnameable for another day of life, for physical
and mental health, for my precious children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren, for my dear friends, for the beautiful and wondrous Earth,
and for all the material things that bring comfort and security and enjoyment
to my life.
7. Running
through this list of rules I try to live by is a belief in the power of thought.
