The 12 Principles of Pyong'hwa: Pathways and Perspectives for More Peace and Tranquility in Life

By Steev RamsDell

Pyonghwa translates to English as peace and tranquility. The 12 Principles bring new understandings and enlightenments to ease lifes journey and to serve as a powerful yet comforting guide for every day and every moment of your experiences going forward.

A fun, entertaining and easy read, each Principle is presented with memorable combinations of humor, insight, personal narratives and the collected wisdom of the ages. There are over 250 quotations of valuable perspectives, including everyone from Einstein, Disney, Gandhi, Shakespeare, Franklin, Lincoln, Kennedy and Mother Teresa, to Nin, Dyer, Forbes, Emerson, Aristophanes, Maher, and many more. Plus Zen, Buddhist, and Scottish proverbs, biblical citations, and original creations, including a direct quote from the Almighty, Here you go: Life! Lets see what you do with it.

There are cultural references spanning the generations, with more than sixty movie associations, including the memorable lines of Eastwood, Elvis, Sinatra, Marx, Chaplin, Buehler, Master Oogway, Forrest Gump, Captain James T. Kirk, and more. Plus apt quotations from celebrities of all sorts, including Michael Jordan, Robin Williams, Carly Simon, Will Rogers, Bill Cosby, George Burns, Doris Day, Rod Stewart, Gary Larson, Peter Ustinov, Yogi Berra, and many more.

In an increasingly complex, fast-changing and emotionally challenging world, pathways and perspectives for more peace and tranquility are needed more than ever. This book will guide you along a path that will bring you to the yin of greater optimism, inner calm, appreciation and understanding, while providing the yang of new opportunity to create and realize your own joyful being!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: May 25, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452549279

Book preview

The 12 Principles of

Pyong’hwa

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Pathways and Perspectives for

More Peace and Tranquility in Life

Steev RamsDell

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Copyright © 2012 by Steev RamsDell.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Front Cover – Sunrise at the beach in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, taken with my cell phone on January 1st, 2010.

Back Cover – Winding country road in the Blue Ridge Mountains, taken with my cell phone, on a cross-country motorcycle road trip, early summer of 2009.

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-4928-6 (sc)

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2012905488

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

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Balboa Press rev. date: 08/09/2012

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THE 12 PRINCIPLES OF PYONG’HWA

Pathways and Perspectives for

More Peace and Tranquility in Life

1.   And the answer is . . . love.

   Love is the answer to all things.

2.    Therefore, be love, send love,

   receive love.

3.    Nothing ever goes wrong.

   It’s all part of a perfect plan.

4.    Therefore, be open to all possibilities,

   but attached to none.

5.    Do not give power to your fears.

   What you think about expands.

   Therefore, think positive.

6.    You’ll see it when you believe it.

   It is unstoppable when you know it.

7.    Before enlightenment, chop wood,

   carry water. After enlightenment,

   chop wood, carry water.

8.    Replace trauma and drama with

   kindness and karma.

9.   Adversity is opportunity. Problems

   are blessings and paths for

improvement and growth.

10.   If at first you don’t succeed, try easier.

11.    A truly open mind realizes that there

   always are at least two answers to

   every question: the correct answer

   of the moment, and any other

   possibility of the future.

12.   Row, row, row your boat.

   Gently down the stream.

   Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily.

   Life is but a dream.

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THE 12 PRINCIPLES OF PYONG’HWA

Pathways and Perspectives for

More Peace and Tranquility in Life

Contents

Preface

Acknowlegment

Disclaimer

Yin & Yang Dualism

Symbols Legend

1 And the answer is… love. Love is the answer to all things.

2 Therefore, be love, send love, receive love.

3 Nothing ever goes wrong. It is all part of a perfect plan.

4 Therefore, be open to all possibilities, and attached to none.

5 Do not give power to your fears. What you think about expands. Therefore, think positive!

6 You will see it when you believe it. It is unstoppable when you know it.

7 Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water.

8 Replace drama and trauma with kindness and karma.

9 Adversity is opportunity. Problems are blessings and paths for improvements and growth.

10 If at first you don’t succeed, try easier.

11 A truly open mind realizes that there always are at least two answers to every question: the correct answer of the moment, and any other possibility of the future.

12 Row, row, row your boat, Gently down the stream, Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, Life is but a dream.

Preface

Follow these principles and you’ll make a million dollars!

Nope!

Well, maybe you will make a million dollars, but that is not what these Principles are all about. This is not a collection of motivational or inspirational concepts designed to increase your prospects for prosperity or success or achievement or fame or fortune.

Pyong’hwa is a Korean word that translates to mean peace and tranquility. These twelve Principles are intended to provide an enlightenment that can increase a sense of serenity and contentment. Through looking at the many aspects and elements of our lives with different perspectives—often, simply a bigger picture viewpoint—we can relax, and stop worrying so much.

We can continue to pursue our dreams, but also enjoy the journey, and enjoy where we are at the moment. As we travel along, we can have no fear. Instead, we have faith, trust, confidence, knowing, security, and most of all, inner peace. We can be the yin and yang of desire and contentment, co-existing in a place of serenity, without conflict.

Some of the offerings you will find in this book may be new and original—hopefully, fresh and insightful. There are personal experiences and shared cultural references to illustrate the universality of our hopes and aspirations. Other material may be as old as the hills—and just as eternally valuable—with sapience and perspectives that can comfort and reassure us.

Indeed, much of these Principles derives from age-old wisdom, from all over the world. Each one stands on its own and serves as a basis for greater knowledge. Together, they unite to provide a guide for living our everyday lives with a new and deeper understanding that makes it all so much more fun, more meaningful, and more enjoyable—while at the same time, less frustrating and less stressful. A life simply more peaceful.

This book is not meant to solve all your problems. But, it may help you to see them anew and to define them differently. Reading this book will change your life—maybe a little, perhaps a lot. The more that you retain and apply the Principles, the more change you will see. In every day as you go about your business of living, you will have new information that will allow you to live more powerfully peaceful.

And, yes! You may make a million, million dollars! But, more importantly—whether you do, or you do not, now or whenever—you can be at peace and fill your life with joy and tranquility.

This book is your non-prescription, cerebral, chill pill.

It is intended to bring forth in you the quiet confidence that no matter what happens in your life, each and every day, big deals or minor molehills, you can handle it—more than that, you can find ways to enjoy it. It’s your life. Really and truly, you might as well be at peace and have fun!

So, put on your PJ’s, slip under the covers and prop yourself up on a soft and comfy pillow. Turn on some soothing and relaxing background music. Be sure that you have good reading light. Take a deep, soft breath and open yourself to enjoyment, enlightenment and pyong’hwa.

By words, the mind is winged.

—Aristophanes

Acknowlegment

We are each of us a product of so much input, foremost of which often comes—as it does in my case—from our mothers and our fathers. All that I am ever able to accomplish will be due in large part to their love, guidance and gifts both hereditary and environmental. The extended family I have known—wives, stepchildren, in-laws, brothers, sister, aunt and uncle, grandparents, even great-grandparents, cousins, nieces and nephews—all have been wonderful companions on this life-journey, adding immeasurable value.

Among the many other teachers that have blessed my life, I have to count Dr. Wayne Dyer as perhaps most significant. His words first soothed my soul, then gave me new hope, but most of all opened my eyes to so many new insights. Much of these principles come directly or indirectly from the wisdom that he has gained and passed along. Similarly, I further pass them along, with whatever additional expansion, aspired for strengthening, and practical application that I can offer.

Although no one can own thoughts and no one can claim enlightenment as their own to dispense, I nonetheless wish to recognize the real and tremendous value of contributions that friends and associates and so many others have made over the years, thereby making this collection possible.

To everyone who has ever been kind to me—if only in a single benevolent thought directed my way—I say thank you from the depth of my heart and the essence of my soul.

To Seung Me, kamsah-hamneeda. Sarong-ayo!

Disclaimer

I do not claim to be a master of the 12 Principles of Pyong’hwa. I am merely a student and as such will fall short of absolute inner peace and tranquility—which is as it should be.

Furthermore, the material contained herein does not represent professional advice. I have no formal, advanced training in psychology, sociology—or anyotherology—beyond general university studies, personal observations and experiences in life. One of the very many lessons I have learned is not to take myself too seriously. Accordingly, you need not take this book too seriously, either. Let the concepts found herein flow into your mind and into your life, if you so choose.

I have written this book so that the ideas in it can help others as they have helped me. Remarkably, there are some who think that I am a nice guy. That wasn’t always the case. Early in my adulthood, I was a frustrated and sometimes unkind person. Thankfully, I started down a different path and continue to discover better ways to be. As I have progressed, I have passed along what I have learned to others and have seen how these Principles have helped those in need.

"Angels can fly because they take

themselves lightly."

—Gilbert K. Chesterton

If I aspire to be like an angel in my benevolence for others, then surely I must guard against self-importance. My qualifications to pass along this information are no more than the basic fact that I have lived and learned, over a fairly significant period of time. By comparison to some others not yet as far along, I am simply old enough to know better.

Therefore, it is hoped and intended that the sharing of this material will be valuable and useful, informational and transformational. Yet, my effort to contribute to the wisdom collected herein is not much more than one person’s opinions, speculations, wonderings, and ponderings.

To quote from a man from the big screen, who knew how to portray inner peace even while often brandishing a rather large firearm…

"Well, sir, opinions are like assholes . . .

everybody has one."

—Clint Eastwood as Dirty Harry

in "The Dead Pool"

So, to be clear, persons needing more than I can provide, with my limited knowledge of all things, are encouraged to consult with other specialists and experts in the appropriate and applicable fields of study and practice.

If you are OK with these limitations and disclosures, then please read on and may your life be enriched bountifully.

Yin & Yang Dualism

This book is full of it! Full of dualism, that is!

On the one hand, sunshine is nice. On the other hand, so is starshine. The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night. It’s good to work hard toward goals, but it’s also good to go easy, to enjoy where you are.

Throughout The 12 Principles of Pyong’hwa there are many instances where two separate and sometimes opposite viewpoints are suggested.

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

—Lawrence Peter Yogi Berra

That’s the beauty of the universe. Dualism is fundamental to its grand design. The more you can embrace the concept that there is more than one way, the closer you will come to a sense of peace, contentment and complete confidence, even as you strive to achieve your heart’s desires.

Furthermore, there need not be conflict simply because there is more than one way. However, if there is conflict, that is as it should be, as well. Life, our very existence, would lose all meaning if we did not have options, choices, conflicts, variables and varieties. There must be not just the opposite yin and yang of each concept and every element of the universe, but all the myriad of shades and degrees found in the limitless vastness in-between the two, must also be.

These guidelines, insights, perspectives and opinions offer possibilities for recognizing the dualism of the universe, accepting it, welcoming it, and incorporating it into your daily life.

Let it be, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be. Let it be, let it be. Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

—The Beatles

Symbols Legend

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Going off on a tangent.

But do come along for the ride, won’t you?

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Movie reference.

We are so fortunate to live in a time of movies!

They are us! We are them!

And, to think that so much insight, wisdom

and enlightenment can be found among so much fun!

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Gaining balance through enlightenment.

New perspectives and pathways!

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Australian Koala Bear

1 And the answer is… love.

Love is the answer to all things.

1st Principle

All you need is love. Love, love, love.

—John Lennon

Those lyrics were written by the late, great, extremely talented, former member of the Beatles. His life was quite tragically cut short by an assassin who obviously missed the point.

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MICHAEL

Those same lyrics have popped up again and again in our modern culture. In the beginning scenes of the movie, Michael, John Travolta—in the role of a visiting angel who loves the pleasures that come with taking human form—begins singing this very song.

Love is all you need.

So there you have it: An angel sang it. So, it must be true. He even insisted that his companions sing along with him. So, all you need is love.

But, what is love? And, with all the different kinds of love, which one, is the one, that is all I need?

The short answer to that is unconditional love. Which then begs the question, are we, with our human foibles and flaws, really capable of unconditional love?

"Love is the ability and willingness to allow those you care for to be what they choose for themselves, without any insistence that they satisfy you."

—Leo Buscaglia

Now there was a guy. Good ol’ Felice Leonardo Leo Buscaglia, author, motivational speaker, USC Professor at Large. His first book was simply titled, LOVE. Leo was a truly wonderful person. He was dedicated to overcoming social and mental barriers that inhibited the expression of love between people, from family to acquaintances, to people with disabilities, the institutionalized, and elderly, to complete strangers. This man once had five books on the New York Times Best Sellers List, simultaneously! Five!

OK so far, but let’s get another opinion of weight:

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

—Jessica, age 4

Ah, dogs! Now, there’s unconditional love. They love you no matter what. Why is that?

It couldn’t be as simple as the fact that the word DOG is essentially the mirror image of the word, GOD, could it?

God is love. We’ve certainly heard that a few times. And if anyone is capable of truly unconditional love, it would be the Perfect One, right? All that fire and brimstone, wrath and damnation, notwithstanding, of course.

My sweet sister, Lara, recently posted on Facebook the question: In one or two sentences, can you state what Jesus wanted to teach us? Of course, the responses centered around to love each other. Naturally, I had to put in my two-cents. I commented, "Originally, He wanted to instruct the world on Interstellar Synchronization of Multi-Dimensional, Infinite Time-Space Programming . . . but then decided that love is all you need.

Well, if love without conditions is a challenge for humans to master, then maybe we could program a robot to love us unconditionally. An android love machine. No matter what we did, it would always and forever love us.

That day is a comin’ my friend. There is apparently no limit to the magical manifestations that modern technology will burst upon us, with ever-increasing occurrence. Imagine something, and it will appear. Just give it time.

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FIELD OF DREAMS

In fact, in the movie Field of Dreams Kevin Costner’s, Ray Kinsella, hears a voice telling him, If you build it, they will come. I can imagine that if Thomas Edison were alive today, with the resources available now, his company would probably adopt a version of that phrase as their slogan, If you think it, we will build it. Even your very own Always-Love-You-Robot.

After Ray does build his field of dreams, and they do come, Ray has a conversation with his father’s spirit:

John Kinsella:   Is this Heaven?

Ray Kinsella:   It’s Iowa.

John Kinsella:   Iowa? I could have sworn this was Heaven.

   (John starts to walk away)

Ray Kinsella:   Is there a Heaven?

John Kinsella:   Oh yeah. It’s the place where dreams come true.

   (Ray looks around, seeing his wife playing with their daughter on the porch)

Ray Kinsella:   Maybe this is Heaven.

How do we define Heaven? What would be the ideal, perfect place that would bring us great joy and happiness? We can imagine a place without pain and suffering, without fear and worry; a place where we are safe and at rest; where we are filled with joy and happiness while content and one with peace and tranquility.

Most of all, it is a place where love is.

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FOREST GUMP

How about that Tom Hanks! One of the good guys. In real life and as the creator of such memorable characters on film. Even when you look at a lesser role, such as that of a music producer in the 1960’s era setting of the movie, That Thing You Do, for example, and you think, Yeah, pretty good. But, certainly no Forest Gump or Andrew Beckett, what you may not know is that Hanks also directed the movie. OK. Others have done that. He was the screenwriter, as well. Nice.

Yeah, and it’s a movie centered around a group of unknowns who rise to fame with a one-hit wonder. No problem. Hanks put together actors with no previous musical credits who then developed their talents into a convincing and capable band that took the title song to #18, for real in 1996. A song perfect for thirty years ago that is a hit in a completely different time period? Impressive. But first, you would need some good music and most critically, you have to come up with a song that could be a big hit in the 1960’s. So, who was a principle writer of the music for the film? You guessed it: Tom Hanks. That’s talent! Guess that’s why, in 2002, at the ripe ol’ age of 45, he became the youngest ever recipient of the American Film Institute’s Life Achievement Award.

Is it any wonder, then, that Hank’s Forest Gump became a part of American culture? Seeing the world through the eyes of an exceptionally simple and honest man was refreshing, revealing and very enlightening. When Forest is recalling the time he spent running clear across the United States of America (clear in the sense of all the way, but also, clear in the sense of an uncluttered mind) from the East Coast to the West Coast, and then back again, he described one of the amazing sights: a pristine mountain vista with a smooth-as-glass lake.

Like that mountain lake. It was so clear, Jenny, it looked like there were two skies one on top of the other. And then in the desert, when the sun comes up, I couldn’t tell where Heaven stopped and the Earth began. It was so beautiful.

Maybe the child-like Forest got it right. Some folks believe that Heaven and Hell are right here on Earth. Indeed, there are many examples of both extremes of good and bad to be found among us.

"In this world we’re just beginning

To understand the miracle of living

Baby I was afraid before

But I’m not afraid anymore

Ooh, baby, do you know what that’s worth?

Ooh Heaven is a place on Earth."

—Belinda Carlisle

Maybe Heaven is where love is; where love comes first.

So, maybe all we have to do, is to have Love to have Heaven.

Sounds great. But, how else do we define this love that is all we ever need?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

—1 Corinthians 13:5-7

That covers it pretty well. What else do you need when you face the challenges of life? Nothing.

A Course In Miracles asserts that there are only two basic emotions in life: fear and love. That which is fear cannot be love and that which is love cannot be fear. Therefore, whatever difficulty we face, whatever we must deal with, if we apply love, the fear must leave. When we have to make a decision and are not sure which is the best way, if we apply love, the worry must leave. We can know for certain that any decision that we make out of love will be the right decision.

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PERFECT LOVE

"There is no fear in Love. But perfect love casts out fear . . ."

—1 John 4:18

Perfect love. Ah, so again, there is a small catch. It can’t be a flawed love. As with most things, there are degrees and shades. A love based on conditions, for example, would not be a perfect love:

"I love you, if you love me. First. And, you

have to love me more, too."

Or:

"I love you if you do what I say and behave

in the way that I want you to."

A selfish or self-centered love has very little power, if any. And what power it does have is negative, doing more harm than good.

Now, if you can exclude desires that are solely for your own benefit or gain and only feel a desire for the best possible outcome for the object of your love, then you have the answer to every question regarding that object.

In the novel, Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein, love is said to be:

"That condition whereby the happiness of

another is essential to your own."

While that certainly sounds like true love, it may be wise to include a caveat. There are times when someone we love may not be happy, no matter what we do. If and when that is the case, we need to hang on to the ability to be happy on our own. Perhaps, we can rephrase the statement, a little less powerful, but a bit more sensible:

"That condition whereby the happiness of

another is a boost to our own."

If we have a balanced and healthy love for ourselves, then we can give that same kind of love to others. Whether they return that love or not, does not change our love. Whether they are happy or not, does not change our love.

"I don’t know the key to success, but the key to

failure is to try to please everyone."

—Bill Cosby

We can be successful in love by being true in love, regardless of others’ responses.

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POWER LOVE

I wish you all the best! Have you said that to someone? Did you mean it? Truly? In your heart and soul? Because if you ever did, then you did all you needed to do for that person. If you can truly feel a desire for someone to have all the best, then whatever you do regarding that person will be all that you ever need to do.

Feeling love can be both powerful and empowering. It can be a way to strengthen your inner essence which can positively impact your physical body.

Can love really conquer all? A new study, published in the online journal PLoS One, shows that staring at a photo of your significant other can reduce pain. Piggybacking on previous studies that showed a correlation between love and decreased pain, SUNY Stoney Brook researcher Arthur Aron and Stanford pain scientist Dr. Sean Mackey used a functional MRI to explore exactly what parts of the brain are activated when love and pain are combined. They found that just by thinking about a loved one, participants experienced a measurable reduction in feelings of physical pain.

So, what is the answer to every question? LOVE.

What is the solution to every problem? LOVE.

Because whatever you think, do or say, if it comes from an unconditional and true love and a desire for the best possible outcome—for you, for them, for everyone—then it is the correct response, the perfect answer, the perfect solution.

You cannot go wrong with a love that is true and unconditional. You cannot make a mistake—no matter what the outcome—if you come from a place of unconditional love.

Have you ever faced a situation that you were unsure of? Of course. We all have. Have you wished you had more confidence in something you were going to do? Ever have to speak in front of a group of people, for example? That can be one of the more difficult times to find a feeling of complete confidence. Yet, all you have to do is stop, look within, think about where you are coming from, and regardless of your subject, think about the one and only important message you want to convey through your words and actions—unconditional, all-encompassing love—then, you will find complete confidence. You will open up to the universe and be in-tune with the purpose for all things.

The next time you have to speak in public, if you can look at your audience and feel love for them, then you will want to connect with them, and to share with them what you have to say, what you have to give to them.

The next time you are facing a challenge, a problem, a conflict, a difficult decision, anything that is a source of anxiety or stress, just let go, let love. Let love be your guiding principle, your inner compass. It will bring you peace in all things.

Consider the well-known quotation by the ironically named, Loveless:

Peace is not the absence of war, it is the presence of God.

Since, God is love, we can modify the statement slightly and it still applies:

Peace is not the absence of war, it is the presence of Love.

This first Principle for having more peace and tranquility in your life is so all-encompassing and so applicable to all things that it should be a book by itself—but with only one page. And only one word on that one page. The title on the outside:

"And the Answer is . . ."

Then, just one word on the inside:

Love.

That’s it. Nothing more is needed. It would make a great gift. For whatever troubles that may come along in life, they are dealt with best by applying love first.

When you awake each day and know that you will face various challenges and will have to make many decisions, both large and small, make a mental note to remember to stop for a moment and align yourself with a universal, unconditional love. Knowing that you will do that gives you great confidence and assurance that the day will be a good one and what you do—the actions that you take, the words that you speak—will be the right ones and will make the world a better place for all those you touch.

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JERRY MAGUIRE

In one of the great scenes from this movie, the emerging football star, Rod Tidwell (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) explains to the title character (Tom Cruise) the difference between having everything and having "everything. He uses the word, kwan" to mean love, respect, community, and money: Other football players may have the coin, but they won’t have the ‘kwan’.

Certainly, the money is important. It can be a wonderful resource for doing a lot of good. But, it can easily be tainted and corrupted. The way to ensure that it is pure and benevolent is to include love in all your financial dealings, first and foremost. Develop, nurture and cherish most, your kwan.

This film also uses flashbacks to feature gems of wisdom provided by Jerry’s mentor, one Dicky Fox. For example:

If the heart is empty, then the head does not matter.

In our modern world, with its emphasis on achievements and success, it is wise to remember that true accomplishments include the most important ingredient: love.

The final lines of the movie feature another of Dicky’s learned insights:

Hey, I don’t have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I failed as much as I have succeeded. But, I love my wife. I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success.

Thank you, Mr. Fox.

Of course, the cool thing is that if you apply love, you really can’t fail. And, you do have all the answers, if you remember that the answer to all things is love.

Even the big questions have the same simple and basic answer. How about this one, for example:

Q: What is the purpose of life?

A: To love.

Furthermore, if you love life, then your life has purpose. Let me say that again: If you love life, then your life has purpose!

"To Love, one must Live!

To Live, one must Love!"

—c’est moi

Put your mind at ease. Worry not about questions that seem to be unanswered and a mystery. You now have the answer to any question and every question: Love.

"Love looks beyond what people are to what they can become."

—Unknown

Love can make you happy.

—Mercy

Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away.

—Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

They truly love who show their love.

—Shakespeare

What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.

—Jackie DeShannon

Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

—Corinthians 13:13

A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge.

—Thomas Carlyle

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.

—Peter Ustinov

Of all the Earthly music, that which reaches farthest into Heaven is the beating of a truly loving heart.

—Henry Ward Beecher

A lady of 47 who has been married 27 years and has six children knows what love really is and once described it for me like this: ‘Love is what you’ve been through with somebody.’

—James Thurber

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life: That word is love.

—Sophocles

Love stretches your heart and makes you big inside.

—Margaret Walker

I’m not a smart man, but I know what love is.

—Forrest Gump

MINUTE MEDITATION

Close your eyes, breathing deep and steady. Repeat this Principle twelve times. Say to yourself:

"And, the answer is . . . Love. Love is the answer to all things. One."

Pause. Breathe. Relax. Say to yourself:

"And, the answer is . . . Love. Love is the answer to all things. Two."

Pause. Breathe. Relax. Continue with three through twelve.

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Malaysian Parrots

2 Therefore, be love, send love,

receive love.

2nd Principle

Here’s an exercise to put this concept in action:

First, stand in the middle of the road. Not when you might be hurt by traffic! Just when it is empty of all vehicles. Completely. And, likely to remain devoid of traffic for the duration of the exercise. Like a country road in the middle of the night. Even, then…

OK, never mind really doing it. Just picture it in your imagination.

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DISCLAIMERS & CYA!

(Cover Your Ass!)

Isn’t it a shame that we have progressed to the point where you have to always CYA (Cover Your Ass) and be overly cautious about what we say (or write—even more so)? It is no longer possible to simply rely on common sense. There are countless examples of the world made crazy by lawyers and those that would be litigious for personal gain. These days, people must be properly warned that hot coffee is going to be hot!

What a shame, indeed! Yet, an all too common fact of life. Check out these prime examples of disclaimers—real doozies! These true, actual product instructions found on everyday items are amazing and stupefying:

Do not use if you cannot see clearly to read the information in the information booklet.

—Found in the information booklet.

Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover.

—On a pair of shin guards made for bicyclists.

Do not drive with sunshield in place.

—On a cardboard sunshield that

keeps the sun off the dashboard.

May irritate eyes.

—On a can of self-defense pepper spray.

Do not use for drying pets.

—In the manual for a microwave oven.

"Remember, objects in the mirror are actually