Do you believe in Santa Claus? A gift of wisdom for all ages.

Growing up and becoming adults, life seemingly gets more complex and demanding. Among the decisions we are faced with are the big questions like: Who am I? Is this what I’m supposed to be doing? What is my unique purpose? Or, how can I make a difference? Is this my best life? How big can I dream? How do I get to do the things I want to do? Is this my best option, or could I pursue that call of adventure?

Likewise, the answers and solutions to these questions can generate a great deal of uncertainty as we factor in our beliefs and experience, as well as the people that matter in those decisions. Wouldn't it be great if we could simplify it all to one or a few succinct, salient guidelines. Something that could be applied in broad simple strokes to vanquish the myriad of decisions life presents to us. Dr. Wayne Dyer appears to have accomplished this in his books for kids of all ages. Life lessons so smart and simple...even a child can get it.

As many of us are negotiating the new realities grown out of the choices of the past decade or so, here are some great ideas and practices to boost confidence, and bolster expectations for better days ahead. This is not "dumbing it down," rather it follows the inspiration and light-hearted fun of Dr. Seuss' Oh The Places You Can Go, which has been a perennial favorite to share with graduates.

Incredible You! 10 Ways To Let Your Greatness Shine Through

Dr. Dyer begins with the recognition that (#1) there is good in all of us waiting to be shared with the world. Yes, you are amazing, unique and awesomely made, and everyone else is too (#9). What is essential (#2) is to discover what makes us feel most alive--what we love. And it doesn’t matter where we are in life #5, “what matters is what (we) do with today.” You have power in your thoughts (#10), and you can choose to change your life’s situations by changing your thoughts (#6.) Happy thoughts, Dr. Dyer says, make you strong and free, so choose to be happy.

Get all 10 ideas and practices here.


Unstoppable Me! 10 Ways to Soar Through Life


(#1) You’re great--no matter what. Learn to value yourself without needing others’ approval, and realize that everyone makes mistakes. Criticism can be just another’s fear of failure, the important thing is to get the feedback failure signals to us, and to adapt and move forward. That’s it, (#2) persistence pays off, an essential trait in being unstoppable.

Find more tips on how to fortify yourself against negativity, setbacks and uncertainty to develop an adaptable, creative life full of meaning and purpose.

No Excuses! How What You Say Can Get In Your Way

This is the smart and simple version of the adult self-help book (Excuses Begone!), a contemporary update on the earlier version (Your Erroneous Zones) that launched Dr. Dyer’s renown. The bracing title is no deterrent for the gentle guidance to help us recognize when we are making excuses (even when it comes through messengers.) Ultimately, we have a choice whether we let fear of disappointment and doubt stop us from pursuing dreams or to fuel new resolve.

What can you do with that? Check out the quick and effective mobilizing technique.


So, yes, wisdom can come in simple steps, it is the practice that evolves into complex solutions as we take on more complex choices. Just find the answers that are right for you.

Happy Holidays

More gift ideas:

Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters, President Barack Obama








On My Way To A Happy Life, Dr. Deepak Chopra

The Stranger Who Has Loved You

We continue National Poetry Month and the theme of compassionate experience with some picks from Derek Walcott and the Sufi sage Hafiz. It must be said that the Derek Walcott pick does have some bias being that he is a celebrated native son of St. Lucia. His notoriety goes beyond the accomplishment of Nobel Poet Laureate. Just recite these opening lines in the vicinity of any St. Lucian “After the hot gospeller had leveled all but the churched sky, I wrote the tale by tallow…” The tell-tale glint of recognition you will see flitting across that face speaks also of an indelible memory of the historic tragedy in the capital of St. Lucia marked by the popular sonnet, A City’s Death by Fire. He was our Poet Laureate long before the Nobel.

Given the massive, ominous cloud of volcanic ash over the Icelandic sky it would seem in poor taste to feature that automatic choice, instead here’s a tribute to springtime and renewal.

Love After Love

The time will come

when, with elation

you will greet yourself arriving

at your own door, in your own mirror

and each will smile at the other's welcome, 

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart

to itself, to the stranger who has loved you 

all your life, whom you ignored

for another, who knows you by heart.

Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, 

the photographs, the desperate notes,

peel your own image from the mirror.

Sit. Feast on your life.

What are you thinking? How is this about springtime, or renewal? Love After Love seems to speak of recovery after hurt, heartbreak. It can be that on one level, but read deeper and you will discover its secret of a soul’s awakening, and compassionate experience. Arriving at your own doors says you are home, a place of belonging, and acceptance. At peace with yourself, you no longer seek happiness through, nor do battle with, the reflection of your soul in the world, but greet the other with the smile of recognition. And recognizing yourself in that reflection you arrive at the ability for compassion, not just tolerance, and true meaning of the Golden Rule: love.

Poetry is often written in ways that shroud its true meaning with flowery or grandiose metaphors, the point of which may be to usher the poet and poetry-lover into exclusive, hallowed fellowship. As confusing as it might seem when a secular poet tricks us into the numinous with a seemingly mundane subject, so have many sages incited great sanctimony when they attempt to share the all consuming joy of Divine experience through the language of love. Admittedly, what happens when the outer meaning shimmers away to reveal the wonderful treasures of inner meaning is truly a delightful experience. None conveys that more playfully than Hafiz:

What Happens

What happens when your soul
Begins to awaken

Your eyes

And your heart

And the cells of your body

To the great journey of Love?

First there is wonderful laughter

And probably precious tears

And a hundred sweet promises

And those heroic vows

No one can ever keep.

But still God is delighted and amused

You once tried to be a saint.

What happens when your soul
Begin to awake in this world

To our deep need to love

And serve the Friend?

O the Beloved
Will send you
One of His wonderful, wild companions--
Like Hafiz.

A beautiful meditation. Have a wonderful week and say 'hello' when you meet the stranger who has loved you...all your life.

 

Peace and blessings