The following are some universal laws which can help make our lives more meaningful and purpose-filled. Of course, these aren't all there is, but they cover some of the most basic, fundamental guidelines for successful living.
TREAT EVERYONE YOU MEET AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST DAY WITH THEM
Always show love, tenderness, care, kindness, empathy, understanding, and generosity to everybody around you - and do it with no thought of getting something in return. You will be surprised at the outcome of such actions.
LIVE THIS DAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST
In my school years, there was this motivational sign in one instructor's door: "Today is the tomorrow you did not think of yesterday." Forget the past and throw it away. Don't be too concerned about tomorrow. Why? Because today is the day that will determine tomorrow! Make today the best day of your life. When you do your best today, tomorrow will be much easier to deal with. Do all the good you can do today.
ALWAYS START THE DAY'S ACTIVITIES WITH POSITIVE THOUGHTS
There was this popular poster which showed a flock of birds flying together, all soaring upward. On the bottom right corner is written, "They can because they think they can." Always remind yourself that you have the power to achieve any dream by thinking positive thoughts. You can achieve when you think you can achieve.
LIVE ONE DAY AT A TIME
When you live in reality, you live in the present. To live one day at a time does not mean to rush everything but to do things according to their importance. There are enough days in our life to do what we have to do, to accomplish what we need to accomplish.
COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS
You never know it but the things you take for granted and don't usually notice are part of the daily blessings you already automatically receive. It's high time you show gratitude for all the good things you have received.
ELIMINATE THE TRIVIAL AND UNIMPORTANT
Get a piece of paper and a pen. Make three columns and write down important, not so important, and unimportant as the columns' headings. Then begin to write the things you value under the appropriate column. Surprised at what you've discovered? There are times when we make our lives so complicated that we simply lose focus of those that are really essential. Spend more time with things that really matter.
LISTEN TO YOUR CONSCIENCE
Remember, your conscience is the mirror of your soul. Whatever your soul feels about a certain matter, it's your conscience that will prompt you on the course of action you should take. Develop a rapport with your conscience, the inner you. Be clear about what is and is not right for you.
HAVE QUIET MOMENTS OF MEDITATION
A Canadian Orthodox monk from the renowned St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of the Mt. Sinai accompanied a writer for National Geographic to the top of the biblical mountain. Upon reaching the summit at nightfall, they camped out and awoke to a mesmerizing grand vista of dawn sunlight amidst the clouds.
Asked by the writer about the experience, the monk said, "When I first saw such a blissful sight, I felt like a circus drum and realized how much noise I had compared to the silence. No, not the noise outside, but the noise within myself."
In moments of silence, realize that you are re-contacting your source of pure awareness. Pay attention to your inner life so that you can be guided by your feelings.
A poet once wrote:
It is easy in the world to go after the world's opinion
It is easy in solitude to go after our own
But the great man is he
Who in the midst of the crowd
Keeps with perfect stillness
The independence of solitude.
ALWAYS DO SOMETHING MORE THAT WHAT IS EXPECTED OF YOU
One of America's greatest hoteliers started out as an errand boy who could barely put himself through college. He decided that in order to get better chances in life, he would work harder and give more than what was expected of him. He excelled so much that in due time he rose up the ladder and eventually set up his own hotels. He now has hotel chains throughout the world.
LOOK FOR THE GOOD DURING BAD TIMES
There is opportunity even in the worst moments. The pioneers who settled in the Rocky Mountain states were at first disheartened to find nothing but wilderness in the place they would call home. But through diligent efforts they discovered that the land would yield riches if it could be worked upon. Nowadays, migrants from California are flocking to these states to be part of its prosperity.
UNDERSTAND THAT CHARACTER IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN REPUTATION
William George Jordan wrote that "reputation is the shell a man discards when he leaves this life for eternity, his character he takes with him." You alone can judge who you really are; that is your God-given right. Your goal is to mold yourself according to your goals, no matter what anybody else says.
RESPOND, DO NOT REACT
When you react with anger or displeasure to any person or circumstance, you are only struggling with yourself, and you end up as the loser. Avoid reacting negatively to others just because you feel hurt or wounded. It takes courage and dedication to keep your composure and still feel good, but it's something which can definitely make you feel great.
THE WAY YOU DEAL WITH OTHERS IS THE WAY YOU DEAL WITH YOURSELF
There's this story about a father who would discipline his children by locking them up in a small room or locking them out of the house. The poor kids would have to cry and beg to be let out or to get back in. A family friend was appalled and couldn't understand such cruelty - until another family friend reminded him that the father happened to come from a family of dog-trainers. How you deal with yourself radiates outward. Learn to be good to yourself.
DON'T JUDGE
Before you judge others, learn to judge yourself. Avoid being judgmental; instead learn to understand before jumping to conclusions. When I walked the streets of Yangon in Myanmar, a young, unkempt boy kept following me. I thought he was just another urchin pestering people for money. But to my amazement, he started talking in English and asked me where I was from. I found out that he was from India (where English is one of the official languages) and was curious to see a Filipino like me in such a different place. The kid, despite my earlier impression based on his appearance, turned out to be a nice fellow.
YOU LEARN NOT ONLY FROM EXPERIENCE BUT ALSO FROM THE WAY YOU RESPOND TO EXPERIENCE
William Hung was rejected outright when he auditioned for the hit American television singing contest American Idol. But the great thing about this honest Chinese-American guy was how he responded to what happened to him. He didn't sulk in a corner after getting the thumbsdown. Instead, he made his "reject" version of the Ricky Martin song, She Bangs, his trademark hit. Don't let things that happen to you affect you adversely; instead, make the most out of everything that happens.
DO SOMETHING NOT BECAUSE OF FEAR BUT BECAUSE OF LOVE
Children tend to obey their parents' rules because they fear being disciplined when they do something wrong. But as they get older (and wiser), they realize that rules are not meant to induce obedience and conformity but to create harmony and unity. We shouldn't do something just because we hate doing its opposite, but because we truly like what we do. Do you drag yourself to school or work every day? Then why not make things easier by learning to love your daily tasks? Things do become easier when everything is motivated by love.
LEAVE THE PAST - PERMANENTLY
One of the tragedies of life is that people tend to be forever affected by things that happened before, perhaps an unexpected or unpleasant experience. Learn to leave it all behind instead of getting perpetually bogged down by it. The past is the past; leave it. Whenever you make a mistake or get knocked down by life, don't dwell on it too long. Remember that mistakes are life's way of teaching you. We all need the occassional blunders, but we don't need to wallow in their aftermath.
REWARD YOURSELF FOR EVERY ACCOMPLISHMENT
Always reward yourself for long hours of labor and toil in the very best. If you received a high mark in school, go out and have a good time with your friends! If you accomplished something significant at work, then why not treat yourself to a good meal or small gift? By rewarding yourself, you increase your capacity to feel good about life and further motivate yourself to excel in all you do.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH LOVE
You need not look far to find warmth, care and affection. Your family is the best source of love. Nurture their love and happiness will naturally flow within you. Even if you feel you have failed in other aspects of your life, as long as you have a loving family, you need not care. You are still a success.
BE HUMBLE
Humility is a most elusive attribute, but it is one of the most desirable. The paradox of it all is that when you say you're humble, you are not. That's why being humble is more in doing than the saying. Avoid being boastful. The next time you feel like boasting, just place your fist in a pail of water, and when you remove it, see how big a hole it leaves. This will give you a correct measure of your importance!