Prince Charles - The Deep Thinker

Regina, at CMN, has written about Prince Charles's new book - Harmony and the Prince - and I realized how deep, and profoundly spiritual this man can be. He gives practical advice of how to live in harmony with our environment, and many other thoughts about how to see the world and its leaders differently. It has been literally ignored in the UK press, evidently, and most people that she asked did not even know about it.

Of course it's going on my lengthy Amazon book list. Anyone with ideas about how to do things differently is worth my time. It has also been made into a film, and was a documentary on NBC last November. Here is the trailer:

Prince Charles - really? Who knew? But as Regina suggests - never judge a book by its cover.

Live More, Work Less

Tiny Buddha did a great post on what it means to change your lifestyle to actually enjoy more and work less. She begins by asking the question - how much do you actually need to feel comfortable? If you are without a job right now, doing with less is not something you want to read more about - but you may find some useful information that may be helpful during this stressful time. Links are provided that give practical guidance in finding ways to reduce your spending - and learning to enjoy life in a whole new way. I especially liked the link with thoughts on meaningful and inexpensive gift-giving.

As I look around me each day, I'm startled to realize I'm not as attached to some of these things as I thought I was. If I had to name five things I couldn't live without - it would be hard to come up with five. But I guess that could all change if I were one of the people now living along the Mississippi, or in the way of multiple tornadoes. Having never been in that situation, I have no idea how I would react. But I continue to be amazed at the people who bravely face their worst fears, the one thing standing out to me is the way they are there for each other.

Last night I watched the movie "The Day After Tomorrow" for the second time.  I had just finished a new book by Whitley Streiber, (The Key), and remembered that he had written the book (Superstorm) that the movie was based on - anyway - the take-away from the film is that if something catastrophic happens in the world; absolutely nothing I own would mean anything - the only thing I would care about when the chips are down are people. I wouldn't be lamenting my couch or a chair - or even jewelry or art. People, pets, and, well, that's about it - everything else is just not that important. 

Thinking & Mediation

For me, life is a continuous process of trying to mediate my thinking. I spend time waking up and thanking the universe for another day. When I go to bed I spend time thanking the universe for a soft bed in which to sleep - and wishing for all mankind to have a soft place in which to sleep. When I grocery shop I thank Mother Earth for the incredible bounty in which I have to choose from, and the ability to pay for my purchases. When I drink water, I send appreciation to the water. Crazy sounding, I know. But this is the way that I remain as positive as I can be in these times.

Recently I found a very cool website that sends me little reminders to stay focused on what is important. Looking for the best in humanity is a constant struggle, lets face it. So I really liked the one sent to me today. If you would like to sign up for your own little reminders to stay mindful of all the good in the world, visit tiny Buddha, simple wisdom for complex lives,  or just visit when you feel the need for a little boost.

WHAT WE SEE IS MAINLY WHAT WE LOOK FOR:      UNKNOWN 


Whatever you believe about people and the world, you will likely find proof to support it. 

If you look for selfishness, you’ll find it. If you look for animosity you’ll find it. If you look for injustice, you’ll find it. If you’re invested in seeing the world this way, you can probably explain a lot of what you see with negative interpretations.

Conversely, if you look for good intentions, you’ll find them. If you look for loving gestures, you’ll find them. If you look for possibilities, you’ll find them.

Much of what we see is based on how we want to interpret things–whether we judge people or give them the benefit of the doubt; whether we play the victim or find opportunities in struggles.

So the real question on any given day isn’t why you’re seeing what you’re seeing; it’s why you’re invested in that interpretation.

Today if you find yourself clinging to a negative story about a person or situation, ask yourself: What’s the payoff in holding onto this interpretation? Does it make you feel right? Or justified? Or safe? And more importantly: How might you be able to improve your state of mind or situation if you chose to see things differently?

Hard-Wired to Share

Are we hardwired to be happier when things are equitable? Lynn MacTaggart has written a post about a new study that says just that. You can read the whole thing here.

In my humble opinion, I think that is really the only way to be truly happy. If you think about it - we are often happy when we have good fortune - there is no doubt about that - but what makes us feel bad? For me, it is seeing pictures, reading stories, watching the news, about those so much less fortunate. While we can be happy for ourselves, it is always tempered by the fact that there is so much misery in the world.

What would our world look like if it was an equal playing field? Everyone had enough to eat, a place to live that was clean and comfortable, where everyone lived in harmony and in an environment of peace?  When you suspend the ego, and desire to have more than others, who we really are can be revealed. And if you believe Lynn's post - it's something we are hard-wired to do.