All of us have probably seen more “Lists About How To Live Life” than we could possibly ever incorporate into our daily routine.  Googling “lists how to live life” brings up twelve pages and counting of entries…sites like “How To Live Life to Your Full Potential,” “Simple Living Manifesto,” and “A Guide to Life and Lists to Live By.” No matter how useful any individual site might be, we couldn’t be faulted for feeling inundated with suggestions, tips, recommendations, and reminders.

Sunrise, Nov. 5, 2008. Lake Michigan, Chicago. Photo by Ernestine Hambrick

And here I am offering you yet one more list!

Why? 

Once in a while, someone sends me a list that has entries on it that truly do make me stop and think. Words that bring me up short in an eye-opening way.

Recently a lawyer friend of mine sent me a list called “Instructions for Life.” This list is attributed to the Dali Lama, although I cannot vouch that he is the author. I can vouch for the usefulness to me of several of the items in the list. (more…)

Hello and Happy December!

The closer December came this year, the longer my lists seem to get and the shorter my patience. I decided I needed to be proactive in taking things out of my schedule that just didn’t have to be there and in giving myself more quiet time just to be. Doing that made me think about the newsletter I wrote you for another December…with the subject of building some quietness into our lives during this busy season. I remembered that so many of you wrote about how much you enjoyed that newsletter. So—for my own sake—and, I hope, for your renewed enjoyment, I’m sharing that previous newsletter with you again. May each of us have quieter holidays.

Here is the earlier newsletter: (more…)