Spiritual: January 07, 2015 Issue [#6753]
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Spiritual


 This week: Tips for Happiness
  Edited by: SophyBells Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hi, I'm SophyBells Author Icon ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.

The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. *Smile*


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Letter from the editor

Tips for Happiness


Last summer, Pope Francis issued a list of 10 tips to be a happier person, based on his own life experiences. These are the Pope’s 10 Tips for a Happier Life:

1. “Live and let live.”

2. “Be giving of yourself to others.”

3. “Proceed calmly” in life.

4. A healthy sense of leisure.

5. Sundays should be holidays.

6. Find innovative ways to create dignified jobs for young people.

7. Respect and take care of nature.

8. Stop being negative.

9. Don’t proselytise; respect others’ beliefs.

10. Work for peace.
http://thehigherlearning.com/2014/07/31/the-pope-just-released-a-list-of-10-tips...

His list got me thinking about an excellent spiritual writing exercise - what if I were to create my own list? What if you were to create your own? What would you want to make sure you included on your list of what leads to living a happy (fulfilled, content, purposeful) life? Below you will find my list - I look forward to your sharing yours with me so I can include them next time.

For my list I would avoid the word happiness - it can have a trite meaning for many. Instead I would use contentment or fulfillment - an over all sense of well-being.

Sophy's Tips for Living a Content, Fulfilled Life

1. Forgive everything.
(This comes from Morrie of Tuesdays with Morrie). Holding on to grudges, not letting go of our anger, only harms ourselves untimately. As Elsa of "Frozen" sings - Let it go!

2. Dream big, aim high. There is no such thing as failure.
Don't let "shoulds" or doubts or keep you from doing what you want to do and living up to your potential. There is a saying that "if you aim at nothing, you will hit it."

3. Play more than you work.
This one is hopefully self-explanatory - as "they" say, no one ever said on their deathbed "I wish I worked more hours and attended more meetings."

4. Rescue a dog (or a cat) and make it part of your family.
You will end up receiving way more than you could ever give.

5. Love abundantly and overwhelmingly.
You can never love too much (speaking here of an altruistic, compassionate love - I suppose one could love too much romantically, lol).

6. Show compassion as often you can.
It will do your heart good, as well as help others in need. It can be as simple as a hug or a smile, and as expansive as giving someone the coat off your back.

7. Dance a little every day.
Alone or with someone else, in the kitchen while making dinner or on the dance floor ... dance!

8. Be yourself - and be true to yourself.
'Nuff said.

9. Laugh often.
It's good for the soul, as well as your physical body. And it is contagious, in a good way.

10. Care more about the common good than your own narrow self interests.
In the end, caring about the well being of others and promoting the common good benefits everyone, including you.

So there is my list as of today - perhaps it will be different next week, next year. What would your list look like? What would you want to share with people as a recipe for happiness, or tips for living a contented life?



Editor's Picks

Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.

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#2022620 by Not Available.

 A moment in Budapest Open in new Window. (E)
A brief snapshot in time, one morning in a hotel room on Andrassy Avenue.
#2024852 by welsh_jessie Author IconMail Icon

 Starting Over Open in new Window. (ASR)
A Villanelle for the New Year of 2015
#2024383 by Prosperous Snow celebrating Author IconMail Icon

 Million Whale March Open in new Window. (13+)
If Madagascar dies, the planet dies. The whales take a stand.
#2023774 by Parker Webb Author IconMail Icon

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#2023761 by Not Available.

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#2023669 by Not Available.

 
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Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Ask & Answer

Here are some responses to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (December 10, 2014)" Open in new Window. about Lions and Tigers and Bears:

From Joto-Kai Author Icon:
Dominion over the earth can be a sacred duty as easily as a barbaric possession. Many gardeners exercise over their gardens in a deeply respectful manner. I think instead it's our attitude toward mortality; we struggle to deny it, but also believe, fear and hate it. Some cultures seem to be able to measure their food animals as more sacred and timeless than we count one another. I'm guessing these people also relate to death more easily than most of us. The spirit and the substance are immutable. There is no need to deny death if we do not identify with the part that inevitably perishes.

Thanks for sharing these wise words

*Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3*

From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy Author Icon:
Thank you for this message. Modern mankind has not understood the important message you have described in this newsletter; On the other hand, the First People of American and other lands ALWAYS acknowledged that all things created or LIVING THINGS as real as mankind, therefore they honored and took care of the earth and all that lives on, in and above the earth; every plant, blade of grass, minerals like gold, silver, planets, animals, all of creation is LIVING and should be cared for my mankind, only one of the living things.
Ann

Amen!

*Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3*

From Brittany L. Engels Author Icon:
Spiritual and animal themed works? I got'cha covered :)
Loved the newsletter, I couldn't help but send this in.

 Kaptito Kero Open in new Window. (ASR)
All of the sample chapters for my novel "Kaptito Kero: A Heart Held Captive by Grace"
#2016537 by Brittany L. Engels Author IconMail Icon


Thanks for sharing this!

*Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3*

And one from my November newsletter -

alysia
I am afraid of losing those I love and people hating me. It works against me sometimes.. I will be saving this newsletter for future references. Thank you.

Don't let fear dictate or run your life - as best you can, let hope be your guide. Blessings.

*Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3* *Snowman* *Snow1* *Snowman* *Snow2* *Snowman* *Snow3*

Thanks for all your comments - keep them coming! *Bigsmile* Until next time, SophyBells Author Icon

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