Here is a forwarded email I received recently. Not the usual life lessons. A lot of good lessons and advice. Enjoy! I italicized the ones that were poignant to me.
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio. "To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:
1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone.. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
SARK's Micromovements
I'm not sure in which of SARK's books she first wrote about micromovements, but it really spoke to me. I still like SARK, but really found her color and hand-written books enthralling particularly in college.
This book was my first one. I need to bring it out again!
She has a wonderful outlook on life, and has strived to be very happy and embrace all things HER. But of course, not in an egotistical way. She accepts her faults and knows what to do with them. She loves a good nap. And she knows that need-to-do tasks (or even want-to-do tasks) can be very daunting. So, she suggests micromovements. As I am about to enter into a new phase of work next year, doors of possibilities are now open. That does not thrill (completely) someone with my personality. It scares me. I don't like challenges. Which is why Gretchen Rubin's book has helped so much already too. Her Happiness Project was given a full year to really work on it. She didn't rush. She took time to plan, then implemented and tweaked.
When you marry micromovements and taking your time and living in the moment, you get this outlook when you are overwhelmed : What do I have to do today, right NOW, to make improvements?
Yesterday, when I was really heartbroken at the unfairness of my contract, I was completely bummed. I am terrified of what I have to do next to make more money. But I started thinking about only what I have to do NOW, or THIS WEEK. And I remembered that my husband will understand that new things take time.
ANYWAY, here's an excerpt on micromovements. You can download the PDF for yourself here.
Micromovement Reminders
1. Choose a tiny step-something you already know how to do. If you want to write more letters, a good micromovement would be: Tuesday 2pm, put stamps and paper and pen in same spot.
2. Write down your micromovement with a date and time. You can always reassign it. It has more value in the material world when it is written down.
3. As soon as you've completed your micromovement, choose the next one and write that down.
4. Micromovements resist repetition. Example: "My micromovement is to write in my journal every day for 5 minutes."
Sound reasonable?
It may sound reasonable, but it isn't. Here's why:
The first time we get a headache, or don’t feel like writing, or just don't do it, the inner critic lurches forward with pleasure and says, "Aha! See! You can't even write every day for five minutes. You'll never be a writer….blah blah blah."
Simply make it smaller:
Tomorrow at 8pm write in my journal for 5 minutes
5. Get micromovement support. Find a friend who is eager to work with micromovements and check in with each other on completion schedules.
Note: Do not engage in faultfinding or sarcasm when you falter. Choose a sensitive and kind friend doing inner critic work.
6. Collect notes about your micromovements all the way through a project, and study how you did it. We often forget our own ways and methods.
7. Be willing to practice this system and continually forget about it, fail at it, yet still have faith in yourself and your creative dreams.
8. Be willing to get smaller. Most micromovements are too large. In fact, we assign ourselves projects that are much too big and then get discouraged by our own inactivity.
More micromovement example:
I wish to make a big purple pillow
Micromovements:
1. Call Nancy Wed. 10am ask where she got the great purple fabric
2. Thu 11am, put fabric near sewing machine
3. Fri 4pm, draw two types of pillow ideas
4. Sat 2pm, assemble supplies for 5 minutes
5. Sun 5pm sew a tiny purple pillow cover
Slowly and surely wins the race. Thank you, SARK, for your years of inspiration!!
This book was my first one. I need to bring it out again!
She has a wonderful outlook on life, and has strived to be very happy and embrace all things HER. But of course, not in an egotistical way. She accepts her faults and knows what to do with them. She loves a good nap. And she knows that need-to-do tasks (or even want-to-do tasks) can be very daunting. So, she suggests micromovements. As I am about to enter into a new phase of work next year, doors of possibilities are now open. That does not thrill (completely) someone with my personality. It scares me. I don't like challenges. Which is why Gretchen Rubin's book has helped so much already too. Her Happiness Project was given a full year to really work on it. She didn't rush. She took time to plan, then implemented and tweaked.
When you marry micromovements and taking your time and living in the moment, you get this outlook when you are overwhelmed : What do I have to do today, right NOW, to make improvements?
Yesterday, when I was really heartbroken at the unfairness of my contract, I was completely bummed. I am terrified of what I have to do next to make more money. But I started thinking about only what I have to do NOW, or THIS WEEK. And I remembered that my husband will understand that new things take time.
ANYWAY, here's an excerpt on micromovements. You can download the PDF for yourself here.
Micromovement Reminders
1. Choose a tiny step-something you already know how to do. If you want to write more letters, a good micromovement would be: Tuesday 2pm, put stamps and paper and pen in same spot.
2. Write down your micromovement with a date and time. You can always reassign it. It has more value in the material world when it is written down.
3. As soon as you've completed your micromovement, choose the next one and write that down.
4. Micromovements resist repetition. Example: "My micromovement is to write in my journal every day for 5 minutes."
Sound reasonable?
It may sound reasonable, but it isn't. Here's why:
The first time we get a headache, or don’t feel like writing, or just don't do it, the inner critic lurches forward with pleasure and says, "Aha! See! You can't even write every day for five minutes. You'll never be a writer….blah blah blah."
Simply make it smaller:
Tomorrow at 8pm write in my journal for 5 minutes
5. Get micromovement support. Find a friend who is eager to work with micromovements and check in with each other on completion schedules.
Note: Do not engage in faultfinding or sarcasm when you falter. Choose a sensitive and kind friend doing inner critic work.
6. Collect notes about your micromovements all the way through a project, and study how you did it. We often forget our own ways and methods.
7. Be willing to practice this system and continually forget about it, fail at it, yet still have faith in yourself and your creative dreams.
8. Be willing to get smaller. Most micromovements are too large. In fact, we assign ourselves projects that are much too big and then get discouraged by our own inactivity.
More micromovement example:
I wish to make a big purple pillow
Micromovements:
1. Call Nancy Wed. 10am ask where she got the great purple fabric
2. Thu 11am, put fabric near sewing machine
3. Fri 4pm, draw two types of pillow ideas
4. Sat 2pm, assemble supplies for 5 minutes
5. Sun 5pm sew a tiny purple pillow cover
Slowly and surely wins the race. Thank you, SARK, for your years of inspiration!!
Jane Powell's Meditations
About 6 years ago, somehow I stumbled upon these daily meditations. I used to take the time to read them every morning, but somehow now just read the title daily and see if it looks like something that might give me a good feeling. If it's your thing, I encourage you to go to the site and sign up. You never know what great inspiration will be there.
Here is today's meditation.
Take Charge of Change
by Jane Powell on March 23, 2011
“Happy women embrace change.”
If you accept change, you allow circumstances to just happen to you. On the other hand, when you embrace change, you take charge and gain ownership of new opportunities. When you’re in the driver’s seat, your life is both more fulfilling and peaceful.
Recognize change for the positive effects it can have on your life. It’s the engine that propels you toward new and better things.
You need change. So, look for it, seize it and embrace it with enthusiasm. When you ride on the crest of change, you reach your destination sooner and feel better about the journey.
©Jane Powell – Meditations for Women
Today’s Affirmation: I recognize change is good for me and I embrace it with enthusiasm.
You can also purchase her book here.
Here is today's meditation.
Take Charge of Change
by Jane Powell on March 23, 2011
“Happy women embrace change.”
If you accept change, you allow circumstances to just happen to you. On the other hand, when you embrace change, you take charge and gain ownership of new opportunities. When you’re in the driver’s seat, your life is both more fulfilling and peaceful.
Recognize change for the positive effects it can have on your life. It’s the engine that propels you toward new and better things.
You need change. So, look for it, seize it and embrace it with enthusiasm. When you ride on the crest of change, you reach your destination sooner and feel better about the journey.
©Jane Powell – Meditations for Women
Today’s Affirmation: I recognize change is good for me and I embrace it with enthusiasm.
You can also purchase her book here.
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