Truth in Meditations
Over the last few months, I've been trying to target things that I stumble through over and over again with easily remembered truth when caught in those situations. Once I started paying attention to both my strengths and weaknesses, I realized that I've learned a lot over the most recent past in terms of my idiosyncratic behavior. There is SO MUCH FARTHER to go.
So far, TRUTH:
1- I may have a lot of information and perspective, but I am NOT always right.
2- When in doubt, make the positive argument.
3- If I can say something nice or compliment - ALWAYS do so.
4- Be quick to apologize when I have wronged someone.
5- Don't apologize for things that do not need apologies (ie: humanity).
6- Be courageous enough to disagree, but always do so positively.
7- There is often truth in argument even if it is only partial (ie: life-editing).
8- Every conversation or interaction is an opportunity to BUILD PEOPLE UP.
9- The best way to be is equal parts sincere, authentic and vulnerable.
10- Bad moods are best taken out on inanimate objects.
11- This is hard, but the people closest to me matter most - treat them accordingly.
12- Sometimes it is best to admit that I don't have any answers.
13- Being powerless in a terrible situation and still getting up every day takes courage and strength.
14- If I drop a call to my mother, text or call her back so she knows I am alive.
15- Even though I may enjoy it, doesn't mean someone else has to also.
16- Never be negative about an activity that someone tells me they enjoy.
17- Sarcasm is ALWAYS hurtful whereas hyperbole is often silly.
18- I am the only one responsible for my mood and happiness.
19- ESPECIALLY when I don't want to, I need to exercise.
20- A crises is rarely made better by rushed thinking or illogical demands.
21- My time is not always the right time.
It's been nice to think about principles that I find on my way and condense them down to sentences. In doing so, I can think about which ones come up more frequently and can focus on just those ones. Lately I've been loving 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 & 19.
Sidenote: As a freshman in college I took a class where we read Marcus Aurelius "Meditations." I recently listened to the meditations over the course of a week, and it was interesting to me that this "truth in sentences" thing, is as old as time since "Meditations" is basically a collection of his most loved principles for a happier life.
So far, TRUTH:
1- I may have a lot of information and perspective, but I am NOT always right.
2- When in doubt, make the positive argument.
3- If I can say something nice or compliment - ALWAYS do so.
4- Be quick to apologize when I have wronged someone.
5- Don't apologize for things that do not need apologies (ie: humanity).
6- Be courageous enough to disagree, but always do so positively.
7- There is often truth in argument even if it is only partial (ie: life-editing).
8- Every conversation or interaction is an opportunity to BUILD PEOPLE UP.
9- The best way to be is equal parts sincere, authentic and vulnerable.
10- Bad moods are best taken out on inanimate objects.
11- This is hard, but the people closest to me matter most - treat them accordingly.
12- Sometimes it is best to admit that I don't have any answers.
13- Being powerless in a terrible situation and still getting up every day takes courage and strength.
14- If I drop a call to my mother, text or call her back so she knows I am alive.
15- Even though I may enjoy it, doesn't mean someone else has to also.
16- Never be negative about an activity that someone tells me they enjoy.
17- Sarcasm is ALWAYS hurtful whereas hyperbole is often silly.
18- I am the only one responsible for my mood and happiness.
19- ESPECIALLY when I don't want to, I need to exercise.
20- A crises is rarely made better by rushed thinking or illogical demands.
21- My time is not always the right time.
It's been nice to think about principles that I find on my way and condense them down to sentences. In doing so, I can think about which ones come up more frequently and can focus on just those ones. Lately I've been loving 1, 2, 3, 6, 8 & 19.
Sidenote: As a freshman in college I took a class where we read Marcus Aurelius "Meditations." I recently listened to the meditations over the course of a week, and it was interesting to me that this "truth in sentences" thing, is as old as time since "Meditations" is basically a collection of his most loved principles for a happier life.
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