I came across this book a good few years ago and find myself coming back to its simple, wise words every so often. 12 simple truths that may not cover every eventuality in the exact terms in which they are written – but with a little reflection can help solve many of life’s dilemmas.
In summary this is those rules –
- “Stand up straight with your shoulders back”
- “Treat yourself like you are someone you are responsible for helping”
- “Make friends with people who want the best for you”
- “Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with who someone else is today”
- “Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them”
- “Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world”
- “Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)”
- “Tell the truth — or, at least, don’t lie”
- “Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t”
- “Be precise in your speech”
- “Do not bother children when they are skate-boarding”
- “Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street”
I’m going to cover each of those in my instagram feed one by one. You’ll find me here if you haven’t already – http://www.instagram.com/amanda_innerstrengthyoga
The first one, for example, resonates simply and completely on a mind:body level. How you hold your body will directly impact how you feel on many levels – and how others perceive you. Feet hip distance apart, balance over the feet so that weigh is equal front to back, right to left, legs straight but not locked, spine relaxed and each vertebra stacked one on top of the next – all the way to the top of the head: as if an invisible thread were pulling you up. Add a smile for extra impact! You can find a visual walk-through of this pose here: https://youtu.be/K2_DKGZzXKU
Which is your favourite rule and how do you interpret it?
My 2020 Story 