In dwelling, live close to the ground. In thinking, keep to the simple. In conflict, be fair and generous. In governing, don’t try to control. In work, do what you enjoy. In family life, be completely present.

Today I am attempting to keep things simple and remain in the present moment.

I have learned by some experience, by many examples, and by the writings of countless others before me, also occupied in the search, that certain environments, certain modes of life, certain rules of conduct are more conducive to inner and outer harmony than others. There are, in fact, certain roads that one may follow. Simplification of life is one of them. –Ann Morrow Lindbergh

As I read more about Taoism, I recognize the importance of simplification and stillness with oneself.

“It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing.”

I currently love what I am doing. I have a wonderful job, beautiful partner (inside and out), wonderful friends, and a compassionate son. I am working this week on focusing on the quality of my life, rather than the quantity of things I accomplish.

“Tell me what company thou keepst, and I’ll tell thee what thou art.”
- Miguel de Cervantes (1547 - 1616) Spanish novelist.

I am blessed to have friends in my life that speak to my values.

We generate our own environment. We get exactly what we deserve. How can we resent a life we’ve created ourselves? Who’s to blame, who’s to credit but us? Who can change it, anytime we wish, but us? –Richard Bach

I think that so many of us get caught up focused on our own lives and misery, looking to blame and not take personal responsibility. Today I am going to work on taking responsibility for my own actions and making changes with the energy I can find from within myself.

“Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.”
Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)

This is something I often struggle with. Should I be simply focused on working my ass off and being the best at everything I do with my head down, or should I really evaluate the choices I make more regularly and I should proceed with things so that they lead to the type of success I am looking for?

“You constantly have to reinvent yourself, take new steps, challenge yourself.” — John Rzeznik

This is a quote I am trying to live by every morning of every day.

“Love is nothing but Joy with the accompanying idea of an external source.”

“Joy is what follows that passion by which the individual…passes to a greater perfection.”

-Baruch Spinoza

“In the world of television, the massive flows of information are largely in only one direction, which makes it virtually impossible for individuals to take part in what passes for a national conversation. Individuals receive, but they cannot send. They hear, but they do not speak. The “well-informed citizenry” is in danger of becoming the ‘well-amused audience.’”

-Al Gore “The Assault on Reason”

From a book I am reading by Harry Franfurt called “On Truth”…

“Much less can they indulge in the shabby, narcissistic pretense that being true to the facts is less important than being ‘true to oneself.’  If there is any attitude that is antithetical to a decent and orderly social life, that is it.”

Oh - how true Harry is - especially in our American culture…