Life Is Simple: if we let it be: Daily Inspiraton for Living Simply

Life is Simple

if we let it be

––––––––

Daily Inspiration

For Living Simply

––––––––

by Judith Jordan

Award winning author of

For the Love of Yoga

Life is Simple: if we let it be

Copyright © 2019 by Judith Jordan

––––––––

All rights reserved.

This book, or any portion thereof, may not be reproduced or used in any form or by electronic means, including storage and retrieval systems, without prior written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing 2019

ISBN 978-0-9862113-2-4

Introduction

––––––––

So many of us make life so much more difficult than it needs to be. We obsess over things that have gone wrong in the past. We worry about things that might go wrong in the future. We work hard to control every situation that comes along in the present. But all this is wasted energy. When we relax and move into life as it comes, taking the time to make wise choices and think about consequences, life becomes simpler, more peaceful, and more rewarding.

On the following pages you’ll find a message for each day of the year that can motivate you to simplify your life and to enjoy the journey. Some of the stories you’ll read are from personal experience, and some from experiences of people I know first-hand (although I’ve changed some names to protect privacy). I’ve been inspired by things I’ve read, quotes by wise people, awareness of my surroundings, and even from the comics. And much of it simply comes from deep within my soul.

As you read, I hope you will come to know that as you walk this path of life, you don’t walk alone. There is a Higher Power that walks with you as you follow your destiny. Although there are occasional references to spirituality or religion, I have been careful not to advocate for any particular belief. Whether you adhere to a certain faith tradition, or to none, the messages are unspecific enough that there is something in them for just about everybody. And, because you’ve been led to pick up this book, they are for you.

While reading these daily thoughts, you will be the only one getting the meaning they convey for you because you’ll be reading through the lens of your own unique perception and guidance.

You will gain comfort from the agreement of what you read, or you will be stimulated by your disagreement, driving you to find your own truth. Either way, you will agree that life doesn’t have to be overly complicated. By our own thoughts and actions, life can be more livable if we get out of our own way and let life be simple.

Life is simple if we let it be. Sure, stuff happens, but it’s not what happens that defines us, it’s how we respond to what happens.

This book is a compilation of messages that I hope will inspire you to live in the moment with an open mind and an open heart and to look at the world in a positive light, choosing to see the good in all situations.

We all make some mistakes along the way, but we find we can learn from our mistakes, and from the mistakes of others, and that we can make choices that benefit both ourselves and those around us. Mistakes are our teachers.

If you start your day with this book, you’ll carry the positive thoughts with you throughout the day, remembering to live simply. If you choose to read it at the end of your day, you will hold the messages in your mind as you sleep and rest easy knowing you don’t have to struggle through the next day.

Thank you for picking up this book, I sincerely hope it serves to make your life simpler.

Judith Jordan

––––––––

This book covers one calendar year, but you can start it on any day. Then, at the end of the year, you can go back and start it again.

The messages will have a different meaning for you

each time you read them because you will be

in a different place in consciousness.

JANUARY 1

New Light

People find many ways to usher in a new year. Some like to imbibe a little too much at a New Year’s Eve party, then begin the new year regretting it. Others have a ritual, like dinner at a favorite restaurant, then dancing into the wee hours of the new year. Many enjoy seeing the ball drop at Times Square in New York City. Still others like to set off fireworks to make sure their neighbors are awake at midnight. There are countless inventive ways to celebrate, but none of them can top what the director of the museum in my home town, along with her daughter, did to ring out the old and bring in the new.

Both women are avid hikers and are no strangers to the High Sierra grandeur and its challenging trails. Early in the day on New Year’s Eve, this duo set out to reach an overlook cliff on El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. They hiked several miles up the mountain to reach their destination, got to the overlook about an hour before sunset, made camp, then waited for the sun to go down. With an unobstructed view, they watched the last light of the passing year fade away. In the morning, they threw off their sleeping bags, and turned around to see the first light of the new year rising in the east.

They came down from the mountain on New Year’s Day, reeling from a perspective that’s infinitely better than watching any ball drop or suffering from a hangover. Their experience alone, was a celebration, and inspired me to poetry:

It was cold and clear on that New Year’s Eve,

Where we’d climbed with all our stuff.

High above the valley floor,

We sat upon the bluff.

The sun went down with fiery light.

The last sunset of the year.

Then we snuggled warmly in our bags,

Holding that sight dear.

Stirring early at first light,

Here came the rising sun.

We saw what we had come to see;

A new year had begun.

JANUARY 2

Resolutions

If you don’t make New Year’s resolutions because you pretty much know you won’t keep them, try to make daily, or even hourly resolutions or goals. Things change throughout every day, and if you’ve established a set goal for the day, something unexpected may enter your life to alter the plans you’ve made.

One day, as I was getting ready to wash my car, a good friend came by on his way to the marina to check out boats for sale and asked if I wanted to ride along. I did want to, and there went my resolve to wash the car. I had a great day in the sun, by the water!

Although we can’t be so irresponsible that we leave critical things undone, life can be more fun if we’re open to spontaneity. There’s no need to feel rushed to accomplish every little thing we think we have to do. There’s time enough to get it all done. I’ve taken on projects that are very time consuming and left other things—like laundry and dirty dishes—undone until my project was finished, or at a good stopping place. The laundry and dishes were still there waiting for me when I could happily turn my full attention to them without feeling rushed.

I’ve learned that time is illusion—we made it up. Without time as a constraint, we get to choose to be happy doing what we want to do rather than feeling pressured about what we should be doing because we’ve made some mighty resolution. Only you can make you happy, and God’s will for all of us is perfect happiness

Making hard fast New Year’s resolutions implies there is imperfection in our life, so here’s an idea . . . instead of resolving to go to the gym three times a week, eat more nutritiously, clean out the garage, or whatever we feel we need to do better than we’ve been doing, we can resolve to celebrate the ways in which we are magnificent. We can still go to the gym, eat well, or clean the garage, but we can simply do these things because we want to get healthier or put the car into shelter, not because we’ve resolved to do them. We can do them on our own time schedule without feeling guilty about breaking a resolution.

You may have different priorities than the gym, food, or garage—you can fill in the blanks for yourself. You won’t be doing these things out of obligation because you’ve made that resolution, though, you’ll be doing them because it will make you feel better about yourself. We can all live the message of that old song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy.

JANUARY 3

It’s the People

The New Year isn’t just about resolutions. It might be a time to take stock of what’s going on in our life, what’s working and what isn’t.

Take a look at your work situation. Do you love your job? Are you getting the promotions you deserve? Is your salary enough to allow you to live comfortably? If your answer to any of these questions is No then you might be thinking about making a change. If so, you’ll need to update your résumé. The beginning of every New Year is a good time to update your résumé, so you’re always résumé-ready. Doing this update doesn’t mean you have to change jobs, but keeping up on your capabilities and talents can help you know where you want to be professionally.

You can start by focusing on the good stuff. What have you accomplished? What are you most proud of? Now, use this in your updated résumé. When that’s done, focus on some specific goals for the New Year—small goals and big ones. A small goal might be that you want to get some additional experience or learn a new skill, and that could mean picking up new projects in your current position. A big goal might be, I want to get away from this place and do something different. That’s when we develop an action plan.

The number one focus now will be on people, because people hire people. The more people we can connect with about the goal we’ve determined, the better the chance of actually accomplishing that goal. To turn our goals into action, we need to remember, it’s all about people. In this age of internet send me your résumé job searches, connecting with the people who can help us get what we want is becoming more complicated. But don’t be dismayed. When we’ve identified what companies could use someone with our skills, we can use the internet to find names of those who do the hiring. When we’ve done that, we can call to make appointments with those specific people. If the watchdogs on the phone aren’t accommodating, we can go to the place of business and ask to see that person. Turning someone away in person is harder than not taking their phone call.

It’s a people game. The more people you can actually connect with, the more likely you are to be successful in your search. And you may actually find yourself having to decide which great job to take. If you’re looking for a new job, remember, it’s the people! (And, don’t quit your present job until you’ve found a new one.)

JANUARY 4

Just for Today

In the early 1900’s, Frank Crane was a writer for the Boston Globe. His column Dr. Crane Says carried some positive messages. I was inspired by the ten ways he listed to improve one’s life . . . Just for a Day.

Just for Today, I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all life’s problems at once. I can do some things for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt I had to keep them up for a lifetime.

Just for Today, I will be happy. What Abe Lincoln said is true, Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. Happiness comes from within, it’s not a matter of externals.

Just for Today, I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will not try to regulate, change, or improve anyone but myself.

4.   Just for Today, I will take care of my body. I will exercise it, care for it, and nourish it. I will not abuse it nor neglect it, so that it will be a perfect machine for my will.

5. Just for Today, I will improve my mind. I will learn something useful. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration.

6. Just for Today, I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anybody knows about it, it won’t count.

7.Just for Today, I will do two things I don’t want to do, just for exercise.

8.Just for Today, I will be agreeable. I will talk in a well-modulated voice, be courteous and considerate. I will be liberal with flattery and criticize not one bit, nor find fault with anything.

9. Just for Today, I will have a quiet half-hour all by myself, and relax. During this time, I will think of God so as to get a little more perspective to my life.

10.Just for Today, I will be unafraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and believe that what I give to the world, the world gives to me.

Truly, words to live by. Let’s see if we can make this new year a little better by remembering Frank Crane’s words, and living them today, tomorrow, and all the days to come.

JANUARY 5

Count to Ten

When you were a kid, and you were angry about something, your mother probably told you to settle down and count to ten.  I know mine did.  When my sister wouldn’t let me have the thing she was playing with, or I didn’t get to watch the TV program I wanted to, or was upset or disappointed over myriad other maddening things that came up in my life, I would get angry and lash out at the offending party. But as I got older, I learned to stop my angry tirade and slowly count to ten (Mother’s advice). I found that if I took a good look at whatever was upsetting or disappointing me, it usually didn’t seem so important, and I felt better when I cooled off. In a calmer state, I could then try negotiating for what I wanted. Sometimes the negotiation worked, sometimes it didn’t, but I learned that anger definitely didn’t get me what I wanted. This lesson has served me well throughout my life, only now I just stop and take three deep breaths to calm myself instead of actually counting to ten.

It’s been said, The greatest remedy for anger is delay. But we’ve also heard, Strike while the iron is hot. I think we’re talking about two different things here. Yes, if there is immediate action to be taken in a circumstance, to correct an error or to save a situation, we do need to act. But if the situation induces anger in us, we’re better off delaying action until we are certain the action is appropriate and coming from a place of reason and not from knee-jerk reaction.

We are never upset for the reason we think. There is usually an underlying cause for our negative emotions, a reason that has nothing to do with what we are demonstrating anger about. Delaying action gives us a chance to really look at why we’re angry or upset, and in so doing we can respond to the situation at hand in a peaceful manner, not exacerbating the situation unnecessarily.

A Course in Miracles tells us that any action not coming from a place of love is a call for love. Very often the person who makes us angry is in an emotional position he doesn’t quite know how to deal with so, to make himself feel better, he lashes out at us. But we don’t have to buy into the fight. We can stop the aggression by delaying our response—by hearing our Mother’s voice telling us to count to ten. 

JANUARY 6

Intention

Ask yourself this: What is my intention? Intention can be a desire to do good and be helpful, or it can be misguided, used to boost egos or even to cause harm. If we’re helping out at a local church or agency that provides meals for the disadvantaged community, and we’re doing it from a place of love and it warms our hearts to see these people getting at least one good hot meal a week, then we are living from good intention. But if we’re doing it to appear virtuous in the eyes of others or because we want to be seen as a really nice guy, that might be misguided intention.

Our good is not measured by the busy lifestyle we lead or by how great we tell people we are or how much money we have or what kind of car we drive. Our good is measured by what’s in our hearts. The great truth is that if we don’t live from our hearts, we don’t live at all. And we can tell when we’re living from our hearts by asking ourselves this simple question: What is my intention? If our heart is open, and our intention is to serve, to love, and to benefit all involved, then we know our intention is well placed. We will feel a peace, and we will know we’re making good decisions and taking right action.

Intention without action, though, doesn’t work. If we tell someone we’ll do something with or for them, we’ve announced our intention. But if we don’t follow through on our promise, our true intention must have been to fail them and let them down.

A woman I worked with a long time ago had such a need to be looked upon favorably by her clients that she would make mistakes on purpose, or withhold information on purpose, then come back later, after they had been perplexed by the problem, correct the mistakes and provide good information so she looked like the hero. Her clients saw her as a problem solver, not realizing that she had actually caused the problem. Her intention was simply to make them think she was helpful and on top of things. This was clearly misguided intention.

If we can remember every day, in every situation, to take a look at our intention, to know that our goal is to foster love, help, or care, we’ll know that we’re living from right intention.

JANUARY 7

You Are Enough

When was the last time you cooked a gourmet meal just for yourself?  When was the last time you took yourself, all alone, to a movie, a concert, a play, or out to dinner? When was the last time you bought flowers for yourself? You might be scratching your head, thinking, Why would I waste all that effort and money just for myself? Now ask yourself, Who is the most important person in my life; who will always be with me, no matter what?  The answer to this last question is, of course, you!  You are the only person who is always, and will always be, with you. And, you are enough.

I had a friend who decorated her home for Christmas every year, but she never turned on the tree lights unless someone was coming over because she felt it would be wasting electricity. It’s as though she didn’t think she was worthy of the beauty of the lights for herself. Although I am an energy saver—I turn off lights when I leave a room and put on a sweater rather than turning up the heat—I do turn on my Christmas tree lights, just for me. I also bring flowers into my home because I love to see them and because I deserve the beauty for myself, even if I’m not sharing it with someone else.

Sharing experiences is a wonderful thing but pleasing ourselves is equally wonderful. Somehow, we feel it’s our duty to take care of someone, and what more deserving someone is there than yourself?

Too many people believe they need some kind of reason to experience goodness and joy, but the truth is that life itself is reason enough to celebrate.  We have the power to create the life we want. If we want to take a walk in nature, we can do that. If we want to buy new towels, we can do that. If we want to cook a great dinner, or write a book, or plant a garden, we can do that. Making ourselves happy is reason enough to have a beautiful experience. And when we’re happy, it follows that those around us are also happy. Happy is contagious.

Our reality is of our own making. What we believe about something is what it will be for us. If we believe that we need more people, money, or things to make us happy we will keep waiting to be happy until we can have all that. But if we believe we can be happy just because we want to be happy, we can find happiness in the small moments and allow these moments to grow.

I will continue to turn on my Christmas tree lights and bring flowers into my home, just for me. I will continue to choose happiness because I’m worth it. And so are you.

JANUARY 8

Lemonade

Have you ever had what you considered a really bad experience then discovered that it had set you up for really good experiences? Consider the story of Joseph in the Bible. His brothers were so jealous of their father’s attention to him that they threw him into a pit, leaving him to die. But when travelers found Joseph and took him to Egypt, he was elevated to a high position. When a famine came to Joseph’s homeland, his brothers went to Egypt to ask for food and were sent to see the brother they thought had died. They begged Joseph for forgiveness but he said forgiveness was not necessary, that what they had done with evil intent, God had intended for good.

When life hands us challenges we think we can’t handle, instead of thinking, How will I ever get through this? we can ask, How can I use this experience for good? When I left my emotionally abusive husband, with a very low opinion of myself, a complete lack of self-worth, and no job, I couldn’t just curl up and feel sorry for myself, I had three small children to provide for. Through the pain and confusion of the situation, I had to pull up on my boot straps and keep going. My first action was to find a job which, to my surprise, I did very quickly. Since my self-esteem had been so damaged, I was quite frankly stunned when I was hired immediately, at my first interview, for a really fun job with L.A. Airways, a helicopter commuter service. I was able to support my family and had the opportunity to do some travelling (for free) through the company’s contacts with the major airlines. I am actually grateful to my ex-husband, because if I’d stayed in the marriage that was holding me back, I surely wouldn’t have discovered my own worth and ability, nor would I have grown into the confident person I am today.

I’m not saying that I’ve never had any more bad experiences, but I’ve learned that bad doesn’t have to mean forever. And even good doesn’t mean forever either. Life is full of ups and downs. I know now, though, that when I have challenges and things look bleak, I can keep my chin up, knowing that everything I experience in life sets me up for new and better life experiences.

We aren’t victims of a cruel world. We are victors in our own world. As we grow in strength and in spirit, we can make something good out of just about anything that comes our way. We can make lemonade out of the lemons that drop into our lives.

JANUARY 9

Support Your Vision

Inspired by the book Shoeless Joe, Phil Robinson began writing the script for the movie Field of Dreams. He brought the idea to 20th Century Fox and the concept was dismissed as being too esoteric and noncommercial. Robinson was not deterred, however, and continued writing. He later submitted the script to Universal Studios where it was met with interest and accepted for production. The movie went on to be one of the top money-making films of the era.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull was rejected by several publishers before coming to the attention of Eleanor Friede at Macmillan, who convinced the company to buy it, and paid Richard Bach a $2,000 advance. Within two years of publication, over a million copies were in print and the book had reached number one on the New York Times Best Sellers list. A year later, it was at the top of Publishers Weekly’s best-selling books in the U.S. and is now listed as one of Fifty Timeless Spiritual Classics. Richard Bach kept writing!

The script for Forrest Gump was pitched for nine years before Paramount finally accepted it. During shooting, the studio found they were going way over budget and wanted to cut out important scenes. Tom Hanks and two others were told that if they wanted these scenes in the movie, they would have to invest two million of their own dollars. They agreed, the movie was completed with all the scenes and became the third highest-grossing film of all time. Tom Hanks ultimately made a multi-million dollar return on his investment.

These stories confirm that when someone is committed to a project, believe in themselves, put their whole heart and soul into it, and stay true to their vision, they can be successful. And so can we! Our project doesn’t have to be as grand as making a movie or writing best-selling book, it can simply be raising a family, pursuing a hobby, learning a new language, or travelling to places we’ve longed to see.

If we give one-hundred percent, hold to our dreams, keep going, don’t settle for less that we deserve, and never forget our own value and our own worth, our vision can become a reality. When we live what we believe, and refuse to settle, we will be richly rewarded.

Remember, though, rewards don’t always have to be monetary. The feeling of accomplishment and peace of mind might be the greatest reward any of us can receive.

JANUARY 10

Winter Wonderland

Sometimes cold winter days leave us feeling blue, cabin fever sets in, and we long for the great outdoors. If you live in a snowy climate, it’s probably necessary that you get outside to shovel sidewalks and driveways or to dig your car out of the snow, and you might not look forward to these outings. Another, more pleasant, outing could be to bundle up in your warmest clothes and go out for a walk. If you’re just doing chores, you might be missing something, but if you get out, just to get out, you can look around and appreciate the beauty of nature; the snow resting on branches of trees, the beauty reflected in icicles dripping from eaves, the critters romping in the soft snow. Even when you do go out to clear walkways, instead of grumbling about the work, look around, take in the beauty; it will lift your spirits.

I lived in northern British Columbia for a few years and when I went out to split wood for the fire or go to the outhouse (yes, there was an outhouse!), I was always amazed at the winter wonderland surrounding me. I breathed the cold air into my lungs and felt invigorated. I sometimes followed deer tracks in the snow, hoping to catch a glimpse of a lovely doe or a beautifully-antlered buck.

I live in California now, and have to drive several hours to find snow, but I still get out on cold mornings, my breath coming out in puffs of white, to walk in nature. Nature is the great equalizer. It can restore balance to your life. And the best part is—it’s always there! Even if you live in the cement jungle of a big city, there is usually a park nearby in which to walk, jog, bike, or simply sit and relax. And there’s ever-changing beauty all around, so each outing is a little different from the last.

We are always open to choose an aspect of nature that feeds our soul. It doesn’t have to be big or far away. It can be as simple as a garden in our own back yard or tending to potted plants on our patio. If we get outside, even small doses of nature can restore a sense of wonder at this beautiful planet we inhabit.

Cabin fever is not a necessary part of winter. We don’t have to stay cooped up inside waiting for spring. Whenever we can, wherever we are, we can get out in nature. Nature will heal the blues and will renew our soul. Nature and natural beauty are God’s gifts to us. Let’s make sure we make the most of what’s been given us to enjoy.

JANUARY 11

Sizzle with Zeal

I recently had a conversation with an acquaintance whose subject matter held little or no interest for me, but he was so enthusiastic about what he was talking about, it piqued my interest. I found myself asking questions, and by the end of our conversation, I felt I had been exposed to something intriguing. Even though what this fellow had to say was a far cry from anything I thought I’d ever care about, his passion for the subject was so great that I became absorbed with the subject matter. I listened, paid attention, actually learned something, and found myself relaying the information to a friend later on. That’s how contagious enthusiasm can be.

I worked, for a time, selling advertising for a small publication. I was so enthusiastic about what I was doing that many of my customers asked if I owned the business. They couldn’t understand how someone could have such passion for their job unless they stood to benefit on an ownership level. The truth is, I was just doing what I was there to do to the best of my ability, and I was having fun doing it. This is a good example of the fact that it’s not the words we impart that hold the meaning, it’s the energy with which the words are conveyed that carries the most meaning. When our passion comes through, others are inspired.

You could try a little experiment, if you’d like. Take note of those people you come in contact with throughout the day and pay attention to the passion and enthusiasm they are exuding. Also notice those who don’t appear to radiate excitement. I think you’ll find yourself gravitating toward the people who are the most enthusiastic. It just feels better to be around others from whom you feel intensity and excitement than those who just kind of ho-hum through their day, not really feeling passionate about anything. Then give attention to how much passion you are showing and see if you can inspire others with your enthusiasm.

Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity Church, remained so hooked on life that he is quoted, in his 94th year, as saying, I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm. One of the things that I’ve been saying for as long as I can remember is, If I can’t have fun doing something, I just don’t do it. I will continue to engage in life, and to let my enthusiasm spring forth, and you can do the same.

JANUARY 12

Cell Phone Mania

People these days appear to be missing out on some interesting aspects of life as they get lost in their cell phones. We see people walking together, each talking on the phone or texting. They may be communicating, but it’s probably not with the person alongside them. Too often we see people together at a restaurant, lost in their cell phones, texting or checking email or whatever it is that is holding their attention. Why is their interest not in the person sitting across the table? Why, when a text comes through, do people suddenly ignore the people they’re with to whip out their phones? I don’t mean to be knocking the use of cell phones, our lives have, in many ways, become easier by having them.  Actually, I don’t know why they are even called phones anymore, they’re used for so much more. Maybe they should be called communication devices. But it seems to me that when we are preoccupied with our device, we are missing out on important person-to-person connections. I, for one, like to see the expressions on my friends’ faces when I tell them some great news or relate an interesting story. I like to feel a joining with the people I’m with, to share experiences, and talk about those experiences face-to-face.

I can’t help wondering if one day, communication devices will take the place of human interaction. I wonder if the down-turned head is going to become the new shape of the human body. I wonder if future generations will have longer thumbs in order to text more easily. Silly thoughts, I know, but I also wonder if we have become a generation of escapists. Are we hiding behind our phones so that we don’t have to face people and situations we don’t want to deal with? It’s as though people are so tied to their devices that they miss out on what’s actually going on around them. 

And being totally absorbed in our devices can also be a danger. Almost every day I see someone narrowly escape being hit by a car, or physically walking into another person, or a tree, while texting. And what about traffic accidents caused by people talking or texting while driving?

Just for today, let’s try using our communication devices for the good they were meant, and putting them away when we have the opportunity to interact on a personal level. Let’s try looking people in the eye when we talk with them and appreciate who they are and what they have to offer. Let’s see how that feels.

JANUARY 13

Between Successes

People tend to measure their lives by successes and failures. If we have a goal, or even a desire, for our life to look a certain way, and it does, we call that success. If our life doesn’t measure up to those goals or desires, we might call that failure. But nothing is ever totally a failure, nor, sadly, is everything ever successful in every way. It’s been said that the only time we fail is the last time we try. When we give up and believe we can’t is when we feel we’ve failed. I’ve stopped using the word can’t, because I believe I can.

Failure can be a positive thing. It keeps us on our toes. We don’t need to throw in the towel as soon as the waters get choppy, nor do we need to keep striving to make something work when it’s clearly not working. If everything were perfect, we might be so complacent that we miss out on opportunities for learning and personal growth. What we’ve named failure is simply a learning process. We are constantly learning what works and what doesn’t work. When we’re open to these lessons, what so many of us see as failure is just a temporary set-back, and we can look deep inside ourselves for the strength to move on to our next success. It doesn’t even have to be a huge success. Friendships are some of life’s greatest successes.

Sir Winston Churchill defined success as The ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. I’ve had many successes in my life, and I’ve had some failures. I’ve chosen not to wallow in the failures or to lament that it’s just my lot in life. I’ve had relationships that ended (not failed) because one of us simply outgrew the other or the hard work of trying to make it work didn’t work. It hurt sometimes, and there were tears, but through it all, I never forgot that God’s will for me is perfect happiness, and I choose to let God’s will be done. I’ve owned businesses that fed me both emotionally and monetarily that have ended (not failed) either by my choice to sell or close the business. I’ve also been out of work for periods of time. I’ve said of those times that I am between successes, because new successes always come.

Failure isn’t permanent, it’s a stepping stone to success. If you can keep an open mind and an open heart, and don’t stop when you’re behind, the next stone you step on can be the gateway to a new success.

JANUARY 14

Don’t Live to Labels

Everything in life seems to have a label. We label some things as good, and we label other things as bad. But the labels that affect our life the most are the labels we put on our self, on what we believe about our self. These labels are what create our self-perception. Unfortunately, sometimes that perception is negative. We have an on-going inner dialogue, and if we can change the labels we give ourselves we can change that dialogue. We can learn to see ourselves in a different, more positive way.

There is a term in psychology called Iatrogenic Labeling, which is beneficially motivated but can have destructive effects. The label can create more damage than what that label describes. For example, if parents see their child as a slow learner and this information is relayed to his teacher, thinking it will help the teacher understand him better, the teacher might expect to see the child falling behind and may treat him differently, thereby labeling the child slow. As a result, the child might not be exposed to the learning opportunities that would challenge him to work to his full potential. The parents felt this information would protect the child, but the ultimate result was damaging.

Whatever label we put on ourselves—and, trust me, we all give ourselves labels—is what we believe about ourselves, and it’s what we become because, of course, we want to be right! A person who refers to a chronic ailment as my ailment has taken ownership of it, identifies with it, and it becomes a part of who he is. If someone else with that same ailment considers it simply something he lives with and doesn’t identify it as a part of him, it doesn’t become a label. We’ve all known people with severe disabilities who are happy, outgoing, and able to accomplish what they need to do. That’s because they haven’t labeled themselves as disabled. They have simply adjusted and haven’t accepted the label a warped society might put on them.

Don’t live to any self-defeating labels. Step into life believing you are the best you can be, and don’t accept anything less. If labels have held you back, change any negative inner dialog to a self-perception that is true to what you really are—a beautiful child of God. You can then wear a label of self-love, and you’ll see how much better you’ll feel, not only about yourself, but about everyone and everything around you.

JANUARY 15

Ho’oponopono

Are you in a situation that you feel you cannot change or correct and you’d like to overcome that feeling? If so, read on. Doctor Ihaleakala Hew Len, a psychologist who is best known for his use of the ancient Hawaiian healing technique ho’oponopono, was assigned to a ward for the criminally insane in a mental hospital, where he quickly learned that what was being done for these patients clearly was not working. And he knew what he had to do. Dr. Hew Len sat in his office every day, and without actually meeting with the patients, brought each one to mind individually, and invoked the practice of ho’oponopono. The energy of his belief in his words was felt by the patients, and over time, violence in the ward decreased, patients improved markedly, and the ward was ultimately shut down. 

Just as it works for Dr. Hew Len, ho’oponopono can work in our own life, for our own benefit. It’s a simple but profound tool that will open our hearts to positive feelings of love and gratitude. The word means, Restoring balance and harmony, or To make (ho’o) right (pono) right (pono). It is performed by meditating on the words, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. Thank you. and can significantly change situations by shifting our thoughts about them. One of the principles of ho’oponopono is to accept full responsibility for the world we see as a creation of our own thoughts and beliefs. The world we see is an illusion and when we can get past any negativity in the illusion, we can keep our minds positive and peaceful. We can use the practice of ho’oponopono to reduce stress, heal relationships, and to forgive.

Ho’oponopono can be used during the tough times when someone has upset or hurt us. Teachers of the practice call this cleaning. We can clean our self of our own negative feelings and permanently erase from our memory or consciousness any negativity that is keeping us from peace. By sending love and forgiveness to the person who hurt or upset us, we will also be gaining forgiveness for our self. Through this practice, we can learn to face situations without anger or stress.

Saying, I’m sorry. Please forgive me. allows our heart to open to forgiveness of self and others. I love you. can mean love for our self or another. Thank you. expresses gratitude for the relief that comes from the positive practice of ho’oponopono.

JANUARY 16

Find Your Passion

Every once in a while, we encounter someone who inspires us. I met someone like that recently. A group of my yoga students took me to lunch and when the waitress asked if this was some sort of celebration, they said they were celebrating their yoga teacher, to which she replied, I just love yoga. She seemed inspired by this table-full of people who were all practicing yoga.

As we talked, I was equally inspired by her story. Her children were grown, and she had been feeling a void in her life. One day her mother asked, What is your passion? Still feeling undecided, she spent a day at the beach where a number of young children were building a sandcastle. She watched them for awhile, was led to join them, and in playing with those children, felt a moment of clarity. She knew then that working with young children, teaching them, inspiring them, and helping to form their lives, was what made her heart sing. She’d found her passion! She decided then and there what her future would look like, enrolled in classes in early childhood development, took the necessary steps to obtain a license, and was, at the time we met, waitressing while in the process of opening a pre-school. She is now happily feeding her passion and, in so doing, providing an important service for the families in her community.

One of my good friends spent more than 25 years working at a job she didn’t enjoy but stayed with for the retirement benefits the company offered. During an economic downturn, with company downsizing, she was let go. She was devastated but began looking for work she had a passion for rather than working for some future benefits. She is a very friendly, always up-beat person who genuinely loves people, and now works at a big-box store serving samples of the good food they offer. She is so popular that people return to the store just to interact with her. And because she’s so passionate about what she’s doing, the business also benefits.

We can learn from these stories. If you’re feeling a void in your life and aren’t fulfilled, look deep within yourself and ask, what is my passion? Then follow that passion! When we’re passionate about what we’re doing, not only is our life simpler and more pleasant, we’re also helping others. Passion is contagious. It reaches out and touches the world in ways even beyond our own awareness.

JANUARY17

Say Ah!

We’ve all had doctors tell us to open our mouth wide and say Ah. We also say ahhh as a sigh of relief when we come into the warmth after being out in the cold, or cooling off on a hot day. Coming home after a hard day’s work, we may fall into our favorite chair and breathe ahhh, feeling a deep relaxation. And after enjoying a good meal, ahhh is that good feeling of satisfaction.

Ah can also be associated with spiritual inspiration. It’s the sound in the names of many spiritual masters, chants, songs, and uplifting words: God, Yahweh, Buddha, Jehovah, Krishna, Mohammed, Shalom, Aum, Hallelujah, Amen, Aloha, Namasté, and even in what we may call our loving parents, Mama and Papa.  

Ah is also used to indicate a trigger in our minds, as in, "Ah, yes, now I remember." Other times we are moved to say ah is when we see a litter of kittens or puppies "Ahhh, aren’t they adorable." Or when we wake up in the morning and say ahhh with a good stretch

I have 18 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and love to have them visit, but sometimes their energy and exuberance is so high that when they leave, I breathe an ahhh, which is really a mixture of relief and feelings of such deep love for them it brings me to tears. 

Sometimes the real reason for saying ahhh, is more mechanical. When we drink a glass of water, we tend to take a deep breath before drinking then hold that breath as we drink, releasing an ahhh sound as we exhale when we finish. And when lowering ourselves into a bath that may be a little too hot, the anticipation of the heat causes us to hold our breath, and when that anticipation is over, we react with a nice, soothing ahhh.

These mechanics may be true, but I prefer to think of ahhh sounds as emotional. I find it feels good to express pleasure, comfort, relief, release, adoration, amazement, joy, surprise, and other gratifying feelings with the sound of ahhh. If we allow ourselves to get caught up in the perceived complexities of life, we forget to be open to the simple good that surrounds us. When we