Happy New Year! This is the time of the year when we try to fulfill our New Year's resolutions. Save money, invest better, lose weight, go to the gym, be a better person … the list goes on.
Some of us fulfill them, but most of us don't. I found a checklist of personal characteristics to run our lives by and thought I would share it with you.
The list is from my favorite philosopher, Elbert Hubbard. I have always liked his prose. The following are his thoughts, “I believe, I know:”
• I am here in a world where nothing is permanent but change, and that, in degree, I, myself, can change the form of things and influence a few people.
• I am influenced by these and other people.
• I am influenced by the example and the work of men who are no longer alive.
• The work I now do will influence people who may live after my life has changed into other forms.
• A certain attitude of mind and habit of action on my part will add to the peace, happiness and wellbeing of other people, and that a different thought and action on my part will bring pain and discord to others.
• If I want to secure a personable happiness for myself, I must give out goodwill to others.
• To better my own condition I must practice mutuality.
• Bodily health is necessary to continued and effective work.
• I am ruled largely by habit; that habit is a form of exercise.
• Up to a certain point, exercise means increased strength or ease in effort.
• All life is the expression of spirit.
• My spirit influences my body and my body influences my spirit.
• The universe to me is very beautiful; everything and everybody in it is good and beautiful when my body and my spirit are in a harmonious mood.
• My thoughts are hopeful and helpful unless I am filled with fear; to eliminate fear my life must be dedicated to useful work.
• Fresh air in abundance, and in moderation, and systematic exercise in the open air are part of wisdom.
• I cannot afford, for my own sake, to be resentful, nor quick to take offense.
• Happiness is a great power for good, and that happiness is not possible without moderation and equanimity.
I agree with Hubbard that we must believe in how we run our lives for the most part. Think about these thoughts as you look at fulfilling those resolutions you recently made, or just think about how we run our everyday lives.
Some of us fulfill them, but most of us don't. I found a checklist of personal characteristics to run our lives by and thought I would share it with you.
The list is from my favorite philosopher, Elbert Hubbard. I have always liked his prose. The following are his thoughts, “I believe, I know:”
• I am here in a world where nothing is permanent but change, and that, in degree, I, myself, can change the form of things and influence a few people.
• I am influenced by these and other people.
• I am influenced by the example and the work of men who are no longer alive.
• The work I now do will influence people who may live after my life has changed into other forms.
• A certain attitude of mind and habit of action on my part will add to the peace, happiness and wellbeing of other people, and that a different thought and action on my part will bring pain and discord to others.
• If I want to secure a personable happiness for myself, I must give out goodwill to others.
• To better my own condition I must practice mutuality.
• Bodily health is necessary to continued and effective work.
• I am ruled largely by habit; that habit is a form of exercise.
• Up to a certain point, exercise means increased strength or ease in effort.
• All life is the expression of spirit.
• My spirit influences my body and my body influences my spirit.
• The universe to me is very beautiful; everything and everybody in it is good and beautiful when my body and my spirit are in a harmonious mood.
• My thoughts are hopeful and helpful unless I am filled with fear; to eliminate fear my life must be dedicated to useful work.
• Fresh air in abundance, and in moderation, and systematic exercise in the open air are part of wisdom.
• I cannot afford, for my own sake, to be resentful, nor quick to take offense.
• Happiness is a great power for good, and that happiness is not possible without moderation and equanimity.
I agree with Hubbard that we must believe in how we run our lives for the most part. Think about these thoughts as you look at fulfilling those resolutions you recently made, or just think about how we run our everyday lives.