I Will Seek Wisdom
June 25, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Motivation
After seeing the discussion generated from my “The Buck Stops Here” post, I thought I wold continue posting the rest of the excerpts from the book The Traveler’s Gift. These excerpts are the 7 life decisions given to the main character in the book in letter form from various historical figures throughout time, which he met during his magical journey. The author Andy Andrews feels these seven decisions are the key to personal success and happiness. I poster the first decision, and so here’s the second.
The first time I read this book I knew hardly anything about Buddhism, and It’s been interesting how the message I find in these words has changed since my perspective on life and living have changed over the course of my personal spiritual journey.
I’d love to hear your personal take on this and what message or meaning you find within.
(Excerpt From The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews)
I will seek wisdom.
Knowing that wisdom waits to be gathered, I will actively search her out. My past can never be changed, but I can change the future by changing my actions today. I will change my actions today! I will train my eyes and ears to read and listen to books and recordings that bring about positive changes in my personal relationships and a greater understanding of my fellow man. No longer will I bombard my mind with materials that feed my doubts and fears. I will read and listen only to that which increases my belief in myself and my future.
Daily Dharma 05: Renounce Your Possessions
June 24, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 5: Renounce Your Possessions.
“There are only two kinds of freedom in the world; the freedom of the rich and powerful, and the freedom of the artist and the monk who renounces possessions.” — Anais Nin
Have you every known somebody who seems to have everything most people dream about, yet they are still unsatisfied and unhappy? While marketers spend billions to trick consumers into thinking the latest trinkets will make us happy, the exact opposite is true. That’s because the more we own, the less free we become.
Photo by Mr. Atrocity
Today, Don’t Buy Anything.
Not only can our possessions trap us into a false sense of success or happiness, snapping up things we will soon forget about is wasteful. By going one day without adding to our stockpile of “things”, we remind ourselves how silly it is to place so much value on our possessions.
Daily Dharma 04: Do One Thing At A Time
June 23, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 4:Do One Thing At A Time
“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.” — Josiah Gilbert Holland
Do you multitask? These days it is hard to avoid doing two, three, or even five things at once. Multitasking is the antithesis of mindful action, however, and multitasking can actually make you more stressed and less productive than if you focus on doing one thing at a time.
Photo by camincoll
Today, Do One Thing At A Time.
Here are eight ways to learn to “solo-task”.
Daily Dharma 03: Be Content
June 16, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Daily Dharma
(Guest post by David from DailyDharma.net)
Day 3: Be Content
“Be content with what you are, and wish not change; nor dread your last day, nor long for it.” — Marcus Aurelius
As I start to work on Daily Dharma, I want to stress what this blog is not: It is not another personal development blog. Personal development is for people who want to make themselves better. This blog is for people who want to experience life better.
Can you see the difference?
Photo by eyeore2710.
Today, Be Content With Who You Are and What You Have.
You see, I believe personal development too often stresses all of these things we do not have: the perfect body, unlimited wealth, a perfect relationship, infallible will power, etc.
The Buck Stops Here: Taking Personal Responsibility
June 11, 2008 by ScottyDoo
Filed under Motivation
I’ve been needing a kick in the pants lately, as I’ve found myself not taking responsibility for many of the emotions I feel and the situations I find myself in.
Photo by lar3
As it happens, Leo over at Zen Habits was wrote a post on the topic of personal responsibility today. What perfect timing, eh? Reading his post reminded me of a part of this wonderful book I read a couple years ago, and I’d like to share an excerpt from it, if you don’t mind. The book is titled “The Travellers Gift” written by Andy Andrews.
I hope that these words will inspire you as much as they do me.
The Buck Stops Here
From this moment forward, I will accept responsibility for my past. I understand that the beginning of wisdom is to accept the responsibility for my own problems and that by accepting responsibility for my past, I free myself to move into a bigger, brighter future of my own choosing.
Never again will I blame anyone else for my present situation. Neither my genetics or the circumstantial ebb and flow of everyday life will affect my future in a negative way. If I allow myself to blame these uncontrollable forces for my lack of success, I will be forever caught in a web of the past. I will look forward. I will not let my history control my destiny.
The buck stops here. I accept responsibility for my past. I am responsible for my success. I am where I am today – mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially – because of decisions I have made. My decisions have always been governed by my thinking. Therefore, I am where I am because of how I think. Today I will begin the process of changing where I am by changing the way I think.
My thoughts will be constructive, never destructive. My mind will live in the solutions of the future. It will not dwell in the problems of the past. I will seek the association of those who are working and striving to bring about positive changes in the world. I will never seek comfort by associating with those who have decided to be comfortable.
When faced with the opportunity to make a decision, I will make one. I understand that God did not put in me the ability to always make right decisions. He did, however, put in me the ability to make a decision and then make it right. The rise and fall of my emotional tide will not deter me from my course. When I make a decision, I will stand behind it. My energy will go into making the decision. I will waste none on second thoughts. My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement.
The buck stops here. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. In the future when I am tempted to ask the question “Why me?” I will immediately counter with the answer: “Why not me?” Challenges are gifts, opportunities to learn. Problems are the common thread running through the lives of great men and women. In times of adversity, I will not have a problem to deal with; I will have a choice to make. My thoughts will be clear. I will make the right choice. Adversity is preparation for greatness. I will accept this preparation. I will be prepared for something great! I accept responsibility for my past. I control my thoughts. I control my emotions. I am responsible for my success. …The buck stops here.
(Excerpt From The Traveler’s Gift: Seven Decisions That Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews)
EDIT: I made a few grammatical corrections, updated the title and added the picture
