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As an experiment, I posed the following question to many of my friends to see what kind of answers I'd get:
If you had 3 pieces of wisdom to pass on to the next seven generations, what would they be?
The following are the unedited answers they gave me...I hope you enjoy reading these as much as I did!
Feel free to add to this "wisdom list" by leaving your comments below...
Peace, Jim Donovan
Doug Patterson
1. If you don't ask, the answer is always no.
2. Doing what the average person does gets you what the average person gets.
3. Your place in the universe is sacred.
2. Doing what the average person does gets you what the average person gets.
3. Your place in the universe is sacred.
Thomas Batchelor
1. always wear footwear that you could run for your life in.
2. stay true to yourself, and don't pander to others.
3. learn how to do your own oil changes, it'll save you money and connect you to your vehicle. Put a sticker on your dash with the mileage when you change the oil, every 3000 miles faithfully. Use a quality oil and filter each time, and it will more than pay for itself in the long run, and recycling the oil is good for you and the environment.
2. stay true to yourself, and don't pander to others.
3. learn how to do your own oil changes, it'll save you money and connect you to your vehicle. Put a sticker on your dash with the mileage when you change the oil, every 3000 miles faithfully. Use a quality oil and filter each time, and it will more than pay for itself in the long run, and recycling the oil is good for you and the environment.
Mike Krach
I always try to pass this thought on to my students: Dream as big as you possibly can and if you truly want that dream then pursue it as if nothing else matters.
Becky Mills Bouille
From "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz
1. Be Impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
1. Be Impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
Rachel Allen
1. Proceed until apprehended
2. Take nothing personally
3. Be present in all moments...thats where joy and grace exist..
2. Take nothing personally
3. Be present in all moments...thats where joy and grace exist..
Mitranand Baumann
1,be respectful humble helpful and loving.2,eat well be thankful, remember we live in a magical plane of existence and the universe supports and wants to help you don't delay ask God thats your job,thoughts are creative.3,be creative,drum..celebrate life and take time to sit quietly in the early morning hours...( i know i cheated that is really more than 3) lol
Toni Kellar
1. Don't consume more than you really need: honor all our precious resources.
2. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
3. Be yourself: live out your life purpose.
2. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
3. Be yourself: live out your life purpose.
Connie Popp
Always question everything. Trust (and act on) your instincts. Follow the golden rule. And, as my mom taught me, don't idolize people (although respect and admiration are ok), no matter what title they hold, because they are simply humans, like us.
Sue Fishkind Field
trust your inner voice, no matter what people become in life we are all just human, hindsight is 20/20
Stacey Greenholt
1. Listen to those older than you. They have been there and their wisdom is valuable.
2. Learn to save your money.
3. Get to know yourself and do what makes you truly happy, despite what others think of you. Who are you living for?
James Matt Holcomb The only thing you can trust other people for is to be themselves. If you put on to them an obligation, whether explicit or implicit, and expect them to live up to it, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. You can either love or control, the two are mutually exclusive. So, expect only from yourself, obligate only yourself, and love ... See Moreeveryone else for who they are and allow them the freedom to be who they are. If you are successful in this, it therefore follows that nobody can hurt you emotionally, nobody can let you down, nobody can anger you, nobody requires your intervention, nobody deserves your pity, and you fully own the choice of how you interact with the world.
2. Learn to save your money.
3. Get to know yourself and do what makes you truly happy, despite what others think of you. Who are you living for?
James Matt Holcomb The only thing you can trust other people for is to be themselves. If you put on to them an obligation, whether explicit or implicit, and expect them to live up to it, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. You can either love or control, the two are mutually exclusive. So, expect only from yourself, obligate only yourself, and love ... See Moreeveryone else for who they are and allow them the freedom to be who they are. If you are successful in this, it therefore follows that nobody can hurt you emotionally, nobody can let you down, nobody can anger you, nobody requires your intervention, nobody deserves your pity, and you fully own the choice of how you interact with the world.
Oh, and the key to understanding the true meaning of life is to play the bones.
Tammy Nadene Torrens
1.Hardships make us strong. Problems give birth to wisdom. Sorrows cultivate compassion. Those who have suffered the most will become the happiest. 2.The course of our lives is determined by how we react--what we decide and what we do--at the darkest of times. The nature of that response determines a person's true worth and greatness. 3. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
Caren Knox
1. Be yourself. You were put here, exactly as you are, to be a piece of the Earth-puzzle. Don't try to be somebody else's piece!
2. Follow your truth and inner knowing, no matter what.
3. Be kinder to your kids, connect with them, understand why they do what they do; don't coerce, manipulate, or punish.
2. Follow your truth and inner knowing, no matter what.
3. Be kinder to your kids, connect with them, understand why they do what they do; don't coerce, manipulate, or punish.
Tracy Leskey
Eat locally...no matter where you are, embrace all seasons, and use sunscreen.
John Buynak *don’t eat the yellow snow, I know…but its not lemon.
John Buynak *don’t eat the yellow snow, I know…but its not lemon.
Brian Lyons
1. Believe in the truth that GOD will never give you more than you can handle.
2. Everything happens for a reason,even if you don't know what the reason is at the time.
3.It's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not.
2. Everything happens for a reason,even if you don't know what the reason is at the time.
3.It's better to be hated for who you are than loved for who you are not.
Teresa Rodriguez
1. Don't believe everything that's inside your head.
2. If there is a choice between being kind or not, choose kindness.
3. Say "Thank You" whenever possible.
Curtis Webb Jr. I'm a big business quote guy...
1) Serious matters require serious people. - Marvin Worthy
2) To get what you want, you have to be willing to risk what
you have. -Scott Welch
3) Our future lies not with one genius in a garage, but in connecting the garages together. -Todd Welch
Deborah Metzger 1. Who knows what's good or bad - from a sufi story
2. Is that so? mantra
2. If there is a choice between being kind or not, choose kindness.
3. Say "Thank You" whenever possible.
Curtis Webb Jr. I'm a big business quote guy...
1) Serious matters require serious people. - Marvin Worthy
2) To get what you want, you have to be willing to risk what
you have. -Scott Welch
3) Our future lies not with one genius in a garage, but in connecting the garages together. -Todd Welch
Deborah Metzger 1. Who knows what's good or bad - from a sufi story
2. Is that so? mantra
Andrew Gilch
1)if wishes were fishes,we'd all cast nets in the sea.
2)just because you're the loudest,doesn't make you the rightest.
3)say what you mean and mean what you say.
2)just because you're the loudest,doesn't make you the rightest.
3)say what you mean and mean what you say.
Holly Greene White
Acknowledge the TRUTH that you are MORE than the flesh-bone-blood Being that you physically see, hear, touch and smell ... you are a part of the Divine who has once again decided to come forth to this physical time-space-reality to expand his consciousness and spiritually evolve. If you remember this ... all things will come into alignment for you.
Yesterday at 11:00am ·
Beth Mcahren
Relax into the tenth dimension.
Amy Morrill Borlaug
Life comes at you fast at times, take it all in and slowly. There is always a meaning behind everything the universe has to offer...
Darin Goldenberg
Listen before u speak.
Think before u speak.
Always keep compassion in ur heart.
Think before u speak.
Always keep compassion in ur heart.
Jennifer Dean Will
Kerri Vaughn Take it easy on yourself & be forgiving of all the mistakes you make. Learn from them, but be forgiving.
And, then apply that same thing to everyone else.
Christine Trotz Cosgrove Live on less than you earn. Listen to your mother, she wants what's best for you. Say it if it needs to be said, keep your mouth shut otherwise
Nadine Bergeron The only things that matter in the long run are learning how to love each other, sharing your talents, and enjoying this life we have to the fullest!
And, then apply that same thing to everyone else.
Christine Trotz Cosgrove Live on less than you earn. Listen to your mother, she wants what's best for you. Say it if it needs to be said, keep your mouth shut otherwise
Nadine Bergeron The only things that matter in the long run are learning how to love each other, sharing your talents, and enjoying this life we have to the fullest!
Andrew Gilch
...mis-interprintation abounds,
eschew obfuscation,
and never date a girl that can beat you up
Jeff Kolbfleisch 1) Lord loves a working man... 2) Never trust whitey... 3) See a doctor and get rid of it... - Navin R. Johnson (The Jerk)
eschew obfuscation,
and never date a girl that can beat you up
Jeff Kolbfleisch 1) Lord loves a working man... 2) Never trust whitey... 3) See a doctor and get rid of it... - Navin R. Johnson (The Jerk)
Valerie Chambers-Barber
What more can one say...
Be yourself
Pay it forward
Spread positive vibes!!
Jim Gagnon
1. Be kind.
2. Be grateful.
3. Be awake
Be yourself
Pay it forward
Spread positive vibes!!
Jim Gagnon
1. Be kind.
2. Be grateful.
3. Be awake
Georgette Januse
To thine own self, be true...... A quiet mind, can be healing..... History repeats itself..... Choose happiness!
Mandy Manuel Odum
Respect and care for the elderly, for you too, will be old one day.
Keep an open mind, things may not be what you think they are.
Be positive in all things. Or, find the good in everything.
Keep an open mind, things may not be what you think they are.
Be positive in all things. Or, find the good in everything.
Melissa M. Bailey
1. Always stay true to yourself.
2. All people are equal and deserve your respect regardless of
their status or situation until they
disrespect themselves.
3. My mothers advice since I was a kid,
"Don't make an ass of yourself!"
2. All people are equal and deserve your respect regardless of
their status or situation until they
disrespect themselves.
3. My mothers advice since I was a kid,
"Don't make an ass of yourself!"
Jim Pyecroft
Do not take that which is not given.
A ship that sails with the current has no rudder.
War Sucks!
Laurie Pisarcik Connolly
As I am one for those pithy quotables, here are a few of my wisdom-laden favorites:
1. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken.
2. You are always stronger than you think you are.
(Because you are connected to the Divine whether you
realize it or not, and accept it or not.)
3. Authenticity means acting like the kind of person you most
want to be.
4. Everything can be taken from us but one thing...the last
of the human freedoms...to choose one's attitude in any
given circumstance. ~Viktor Frankl
5. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were
to live forever. ~Mahatma Gandhi
6. Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening.
Treat it with care. ~Buddha
And three of my own:
7. Good manners are but kindness and respect walking
companionably hand-in-hand.
8. Do not assume the answer will be no. You'll never know
until you ask.
9. Live vertically, breathe deeply, and walk forward.
Thank you for letting me ramble on with all these rich thoughts for the soul. I stuck to the three of my own, but could not resist sharing these wonderful gems of wisdom from others on this eve of the new year. Happy New Year to all, and thanks to Jim's request, we shall all walk forward that much more fortified.
Ohh, just one more because it is so fine!
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. ~Lao Tzu
A ship that sails with the current has no rudder.
War Sucks!
Laurie Pisarcik Connolly
As I am one for those pithy quotables, here are a few of my wisdom-laden favorites:
1. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be broken.
2. You are always stronger than you think you are.
(Because you are connected to the Divine whether you
realize it or not, and accept it or not.)
3. Authenticity means acting like the kind of person you most
want to be.
4. Everything can be taken from us but one thing...the last
of the human freedoms...to choose one's attitude in any
given circumstance. ~Viktor Frankl
5. Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were
to live forever. ~Mahatma Gandhi
6. Your body is precious. It is our vehicle for awakening.
Treat it with care. ~Buddha
And three of my own:
7. Good manners are but kindness and respect walking
companionably hand-in-hand.
8. Do not assume the answer will be no. You'll never know
until you ask.
9. Live vertically, breathe deeply, and walk forward.
Thank you for letting me ramble on with all these rich thoughts for the soul. I stuck to the three of my own, but could not resist sharing these wonderful gems of wisdom from others on this eve of the new year. Happy New Year to all, and thanks to Jim's request, we shall all walk forward that much more fortified.
Ohh, just one more because it is so fine!
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. ~Lao Tzu
Mandy Manuel Odum
I forgot the most important one: If you love someone, tell them so. We never know how much time we have.....
be thrifty, show compassion, practice generosity
Todd Dalton say what you mean...mean what you say
Stacy Wright
1. always act ethically - you will be free from the heavy burden of shame and regret
2. consume only that which nourishes your body, mind and spirit.
3. allow time to listen - to yourself and others.
2. consume only that which nourishes your body, mind and spirit.
3. allow time to listen - to yourself and others.
Peter Shefler
1. Trust yourself. Listen to your inner voices. Take away everything others have said about who you are and see what is left. Hold yourself tight.
2. Know how to listen to others. It is only then that we can really hear what they are saying. Just be there with them without interruption, without needing to respond ~ this is the greatest gift to them, and to your relationship with them.
3. Create! Express yourself. Take off your magical cloak that hides you and share your truest self with the universe. Do this at least ten times a day! Then, go to bed with visions of sugar plums for tomorrow's awakening!
2. Know how to listen to others. It is only then that we can really hear what they are saying. Just be there with them without interruption, without needing to respond ~ this is the greatest gift to them, and to your relationship with them.
3. Create! Express yourself. Take off your magical cloak that hides you and share your truest self with the universe. Do this at least ten times a day! Then, go to bed with visions of sugar plums for tomorrow's awakening!
1. Everything changes moment to moment. Pay attention and be open.
ReplyDelete2. Be awake...you'll miss out on a lot going through life on autopilot.
3. From Buddha: "You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."
I love these Shannon!The Buddha quote is huge.. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteLive well and with the flow of the abundant earth, laugh often, openly, and with great gusto, and love as though that moment is the only chance you'll ever get.
ReplyDelete1. Nothing is real but Love.
ReplyDelete2. The only purpose in life is to wake up.
3. There is no me, you, us or them. There is only one.
1. Accept what is and let go of what is not.
ReplyDelete2. "What one person has to offer another is their own being, nothing more, nothing less." Ram Dass
3. Open mind, open heart. Love deep and wide.
"Nothing is real but Love." whoa...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much.
1. live deliberately. every choice you make has consequences, and you have limitless power.
ReplyDelete2. know that love is the basis for all good that has come into the world. if you always frame your days within love, life will be blessed.
3. don't sweat the small stuff. life is too short to waste it unnecessarily on trivial issues. let go the controls, and give yourself space to shine...
ps. thanks for this, jim. have a lovely 2010!
Thanks Space, You too, these are great!
ReplyDelete1. Practice Peace
ReplyDelete2. Live zestfully
3. Leave the earth better than you found it
1. Know your heritage and if you don't, research it...keep old traditions and make new ones.
ReplyDelete2. Remember less is often more, respect yourself and the enviornment by resisting materialism.
3. We are what we eat, be aware of where your food comes from and how it is processed, make a garden and grow your own food.
1) Make music everyday.
ReplyDelete2) When you focus on yourself, your view narrows and your problems seem huge and fearsome. When you focus on others, your view widens and, with that wider angle, your problems seem small and insignificant.
3) Speak another language. Think in it, dream in it. The greatest gift we have is language. It allows us to share our souls with each other. Learn how to share your soul with a few more people.
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.”
-Nelson Mandela
1. Be gracious and take nothing for granted
ReplyDelete2. Be mindful of all your actions
3. Show compassion and learn patience
4. Thought creates form
5. Be relentless in the pursuit of your passions
:o)
1.We can do a lot more than we think we can.
ReplyDelete2.We do some things a lot better than other things. In fact, there will be things we can never do well. And that’s OK, because we can trade with others to make a full complement of what we need.
3.We get back what we put out.
1..gently speak your own truth, and know that your way is not the only way 2 ...ask help on a daily basis from god and the universe 3 put love and compassion before all else..pray for love and light on a daily basis
ReplyDelete1. Love yourself
ReplyDelete2. Be kind to yourself
3. When these are accomplished, only then are you truly capable of loving & being kind to others.
Namaste,
Sheeba
no matter where you go, there you are
ReplyDelete