Responsibility to Future Generations

In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.
- Wilma Mankiller

That sense of sacredness, that thinking in generations, must begin with reverence for this earth.
- Paul Tsongas

If future generations are to remember us more with gratitude than sorrow, we must achieve more than just the miracles of technology. We must also leave them a glimpse of the world as it was created, not just as it looked when we got through with it.
- Lyndon B. Johnson

Future generations are not going to ask us what political party were you in. They are going to ask what did you do about it, when you knew the glaciers were melting.
- Martin Sheen

Let this be a time to honor all children and to put ourselves into service preserving a magnificent earthly home for future generations.

Further reading: We do not inherit the Earth from our Ancestors, we borrow it from our Children.

Plant a tree for your grandchildren

The Next Generation

Overflowing Cup of Tea - Zen Koan

Overflowing Cup of Tea
The Zen Master poured his visitor's teacup full, and then kept pouring.
The visitor watched until he could no longer restrain himself. "It is overfull. No more will go in!"
"Like this cup," the Zen Master said, "you are full of your own opinions and assumptions. How can you learn truth until you first empty your cup?"

Zen Koans like the one above are insightful stories and questions that are designed to defy rational analysis, but provoke an "Aha" moment when the listener "gets it" - intuitively understands the teaching. Probably the best-known koan is, "What is the Sound of One Hand Clapping?"

Further reading: Zen Koans

Words of Wisdom

How to Save Money while Living Well

Love your enemies - Jesus

Love your enemies.
- Jesus (Matthew 5:44)

Do to others as you would have them do to you.
- Luke 6:31 (the "Golden Rule")

Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite [religious leader], when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan [Samaritans and Jews generally disliked and were suspicious of each other] came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds ... and ... took him to an inn and took care of him. ...
Jesus [said] "Go and do likewise."
- Luke 10:25-37 (The Parable of the Good Samaritan)

Have you ever stopped to contemplate what makes Heaven "heavenly?" For me, heaven on earth would be a world without hate or anger, where everyone lived by the "Golden Rule" and stepped up to being a "Good Samaritan."

Further reading: My articles and collection of Inspirational Quotes

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. - Thomas Jefferson

I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past. - Thomas Jefferson 

 We are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it. - Thomas Jefferson 

 The interests of a nation, when well understood, will be found to coincide with their moral duties. - Thomas Jefferson 

 At what point then is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us, it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide. - Abraham Lincoln

If you are an American and you are not registered to vote, do it NOW. The issues facing our country and our world are too important to be decided without your participation. 

 Further reading: We are free only if we do the work of freedom 

  You can't have five wolves and one sheep voting on what to have for dinner. - Larry Flynt

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. - Abraham Lincoln

You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.
- Abraham Lincoln

In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
- Eleanor Roosevelt

Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.
- Winston Churchill

Skip the worrying. Plan and take action.

Read my article Money Saving Tips: How to Save Money while Living Well
www.dreamthisday.com/money/

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. - Lao Tzu

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.
- Lao Tzu

Letting go doesn't mean giving up... it means moving on.
- Anonymous

A big part of letting go is recognizing when it is time to stay in a situation and when it is time to move on.
- Darren L. Johnson

Do you feel stuck? Whether in a project, a job, a relationship, or some other situation, there is a time for perseverance, and a time for letting go and moving on. Read more about getting un-stuck.

Further reading: Take Charge of Your Life - 9 Secrets For Getting Un-Stuck

We must let go of the shore

The only way to have a friend is to be one - Ralph Waldo Emerson

The only way to have a friend is to be one. - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 It's the friends you can call up at 4 a.m. that matter. - Marlene Dietrich 

 A true friend is the one who walks in when others walk out. - Walter Winchell 

A true friend is a source of strength and hope.

The Path to Happiness

The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it. - C.P. Snow 

 Happiness is a choice. - Anonymous 

 If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion. - Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama 

 The path to happiness is forgiveness of everyone and gratitude for everything. - jlh 

 What is admirable about those who have been of great service to humanity is not that they suffered in being of service, but that they found their source of happiness (joy if you prefer) in that service. - jlh

Inaction breeds doubt and fear - Dale Carnegie

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. - Dale Carnegie 

 Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it... that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear. - Dale Carnegie 

 Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude. - Dale Carnegie 

 Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire. - Dale Carnegie

We must learn to live together as brothers - Martin Luther King, Jr.

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. - Martin Luther King, Jr.

The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood. - Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Today's affirmation: I Am One With Spirit and All Creation - I give thanks for the unity of all creation and for EVERYTHING that has brought me to this moment. I release my entire being to the gentle nurture of Spirit. 

 Further reading: The Eight Points of Simply An Inspired Life 

  What is Honor? Is there a place for Honor today?

Know thyself, and thou shalt know the Universe and God. - Pythagoras

Know thyself, and thou shalt know the Universe and God. - Pythagoras 

  he cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek. - Joseph Campbell 

  The difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson. - Tom Bodett 

 Let today be a day to contemplate your life. How well do you know yourself? What are your deepest fears? What are your greatest hopes for your future? What kind of world do you want to leave to your great grandchildren?

Anger is a killing thing - Louis L`Amour

Anger is a killing thing: it kills the man who angers, for each rage leaves him less than he had been before - it takes something from him. - Louis L'Amour 

 For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

 He who angers you conquers you. - Elizabeth Kenny 

Further reading: Moderating the Anger Response Through Training

Prisoner of Habit

If you think you're free, there's no escape possible.
- Ram Dass

The freedom we are looking for is the freedom to be ourselves, to express ourselves. But if we look at our lives we will see that most of the time we do things just to please others ... The worst part is that most of us are not even aware that we are not free.
-Don Miguel Ruiz

Most of us are prisoners of habit, and don't even notice that we do the same things, think the same things, want the same things each day - mostly without conscious thought.

Today, examine your beliefs, your actions, your wants, to determine whether they still represent your highest purpose.

Further reading: Choose Your Habits, Choose Your Life - 5 Secrets For Breaking Your Bad Habits

Don Miguel Ruiz: The Four Agreements - The Wisdom of the Ages in Four Sound-Bites

Be Here Now - Ram Dass

don Miguel Ruiz: Be skeptical, but learn to listen.

If you dont know where you are going, any road will get you there. - Lewis Carroll

If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.
- Lewis Carroll

I can't go back to yesterday - because I was a different person then.
- Lewis Carroll

One of the secrets of life is that all that is really worth the doing is what we do for others.
- Lewis Carroll

Further reading: Success Tip: Drive Change

Where does your path lead?

Ralph Waldo Emerson quote: Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail

Where are you going?

He who sows hurry reaps indigestion. - Robert Louis Stevenson

He who sows hurry reaps indigestion. - Robert Louis Stevenson 

Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in. - Henry David Thoreau 

  Time, like life itself, has no inherent meaning. We give our own meaning to time as to life. - jlh

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else. - John Burroughs

A man can fail many times, but he isn't a failure until he begins to blame somebody else. - John Burroughs

Leap, and the net will appear. - John Burroughs 

 If you think you can do it, you can. - John Burroughs 

 A somebody was once a nobody who wanted to and did. - John Burroughs 

 Today's affirmation: I accept that no one else has ever been to blame for either my joy or my suffering. The entire cause of all my joys and all my sufferings is my own emotional response to the events of my life.

Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. - Billy Graham

Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. - Billy Graham

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. - Billy Graham 

  God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with. - Billy Graham

May the road rise up to meet you

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.
- Irish Blessing

May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself.
- jlh

Further reading: 12 Life Lessons I Learned From My Cat

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into. - Dr. Wayne Dyer

Abundance is not something we acquire. It is something we tune into.
- Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Life is unlimited - it expands with the generosity, compassion, inventiveness, and service that you contribute.
- jlh<

Abundance is all around us. Yes, even in a bad economy, even if you have lost your job. Recognize the abundance and be grateful.

Further reading: Abundance

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. - Neale Donald Walsch

Overwhelmed By Abundance? - Choose Gratitude
    

Opportunities multiply as they are seized. - Sun Tzu

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.
- Sun Tzu

When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity.
- John F. Kennedy

Today's affirmation: I am ready and willing to seize the opportunities life offers.

A number of you emailed to ask where last Saturday's picture was taken. That picture and today's are of the Amalfi coast of Italy.

If we don't change, we don't grow - Gail Sheehy

The Power of Change 

  If we don't change, we don't grow. If we don't grow, we aren't really living. - Gail Sheehy 

  He who rejects change is the architect of decay. - Harold Wilson 

 All of life is change. Each change has some positive and some negative, but always focus on the positive aspects of each change. 

 Today's affirmation: I welcome change. I drive change.

You have the power to make life joyful

You don't have the power to make life "fair,"
but you do have the power to make life joyful.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie.

Today is your day to paint life in bold colors,
set today's rhythm with your heart-drum,
walk today's march with courage,
create today as your celebration of life.
- jlh

Today's affirmation: Today, I choose to create joy in my life. Whatever my external circumstances, I choose to see all of life through joyful eyes.

Further reading: The Paradox Of Living In The Moment - How To Be Happy Today And Prepare For Tomorrow

Celebration is the hymn and sacred dance. - jlh

Today is your day to paint life in bold colors - jlh

Never trust spiritual leader who doesn't dance. - Miyagi

CELEBRATION - the seventh Point of Simply An Inspired Life Celebrating Rainbows and Butterflies - the Small Miracles of Our Life

Well-being is making its way to you at all times - Abraham-Hicks

Well-being is making its way to you at all times. If you will relax and find a way to allow it — it will be your experience.
- Abraham (Esther Hicks)

Anyone can heal who believes that he can and will take the time to put that belief into motion.
- Ernest Holmes

I am one with the power and wisdom of the Universe. I have all that I need.
- Louise L. Hay

You do have a power over your body, your life, your future. Call it prayer, spiritual healing, intention, or law of attraction, the power is there for you to access.

Gratitude is crucial to your happiness

Gratitude is crucial to your happiness - jlh 

 It is always a good day to be grateful for all of life - grateful for large blessings and small. Especially to be grateful for the symbolic blessings - the rainbows and butterflies that come into our lives what we least expect and most need them. Today, walking the beach, I was reminded of the bounty of the earth in the form of wild blackberries - a free feast, with no one else bothering to partake. 

 Today's affirmation: I Receive ALL of Life with Thanksgiving. I have gratitude for EVERYTHING that has ever occurred to bring me to this moment. 

 Is today the day to begin keeping a gratitude journal?

Your big opportunity may be right where you are now - Napoleon Hill

Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.
- Napoleon Hill

What you plant now, you will harvest later.
- Og Mandino

To know yet to think that one does not know is best - Lao Tzu

To know yet to think that one does not know is best; 

Not to know yet to think that one knows will lead to difficulty.
- Lao Tzu

As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.
- Socrates

Intense feeling too often obscures the truth.
- Harry S. Truman

When you have a very strong FEELING that something is true, often it isn't.

WANTING something to be true doesn't make it true. 

Likewise, being AFRAID that something may not be true doesn't make it true either.

Further reading: Take Charge of Your Life - 9 Secrets For Getting Un-Stuck

Leonardo da Vinci: Where there is shouting, there is no true knowledge

Mark Twain: It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.

True learning is not about facts, but about conscious appreciation of the experience of living. - jlh

You are the Michelangelo of your own life. - Joe Vitale

You are the Michelangelo of your own life. The David that you are sculpting is you. And you do it with your thoughts.
- Joe Vitale

Stay in the moment and all gifts are added as you breathe and take inspired action.
- Joe Vitale

We have to let go of all blame, all attacking, all judging, to free our inner selves to attract what we say we want.
- Joe Vitale

The only limits in our life are those we impose on ourselves. - Bob Proctor

The only limits in our life are those we impose on ourselves.
- Bob Proctor

Gratitude is an attitude that hooks us up to our source of supply. And the more grateful you are, the closer you become to your maker, to the architect of the universe, to the spiritual core of your being.
- Bob Proctor

We come this way but once. We can either tiptoe through life and hope we get to death without being badly bruised or we can live a full, complete life achieving our goals and realizing our wildest dreams.
- Bob Proctor

If you know what to do to reach your goal, it's not a big enough goal.
- Bob Proctor

What are you doing for others? - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Whatever you do, do with kindness.
Whatever you say, say with kindness.
Wherever you go, radiate kindness.
- jlh

If you are healthy, support those who are sick.
If you have a job, support those who have lost theirs.
If you are strong, support those who are feeble of body or mind

Further reading: How to be Positive Around Negative People

Martin Luther King, Jr. - Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.

Martin Luther King, Jr. - If a man is called to be a street sweeper

I have a Dream... Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr: Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illumines it.

Giving liberates the soul of the giver. - Maya Angelou

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. - Maya Angelou 

 No one has ever become poor by giving. - Anne Frank 

 As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way. - Mary Anne Radmacher

Compassion and generosity are the true measures of human worth.

Choice impacts virtually every element of our life - Mary Anne Radmacher

In all things and in all ways, choice impacts virtually every element of our life. It bears repeating that even those things which seem out of reach of our choice are governed by how we choose to perceive them. - Mary Anne Radmacher 

  Courage doesn't always roar. sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day, saying, "I will try again tomorrow." - Mary Anne Radmacher 

 Further reading: Have a Conversation With God, Today