Friday, September 11, 2009

Rules to Live By

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three R's of good karma:

- Respect for self
- Respect for others
- Responsibility for all your actions.

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great relationship.

7. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

(Dalai Lama)

19. Be kind.
(I added this one) :-)

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I read through these rules every so often.
Each time they make me think just as hard as the time before.

I took photos of some new Lettered Cottage Home items in our Guest Bedroom today...






At one point, the way the sun filtered through the glass created such a sense of peace within me. Kevin was out and about, and the furkids were fast asleep in their favorite spots- so except for the occasional creak from the hardwoods, the room was incredibly quiet and still. Almost unconsciously, I lowered myself down onto the edge of the bed. As the light poured in, I stopped for five whole minutes to just look around the room. I breeze by this room every day, but I rarely go in to just sit and breathe. It was nice to take a few minutes to slow down and tune in.


I just thought of Rule #20:
Just breathe.




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28 comments:

From the Old InkWell said...

Love the little burlap sack with the plant! So fresh and pretty! Yes, I'm a little older than you. Trust me, take time to "breathe" because life whizs by.

Yansy said...

What a beautiful post. Thanks for all of the amazing rules. I hope you're having a wonderful weekend. I would like to invite you to come and participate in my giveaway.

southerninspiration said...

Amen, Marsha!!! I love the things you've done to your blog, Layla....it's perfect!

Suzanne

L.Duncan@Home23DuncanBoys said...

those are great things to live by! Also Layla, would you come by my blog if you have a chance and give any thoughts you may have on a space I'm working on? I know you're busy so only if you have time! Thanks

www.home23duncanboys.blogspot.com

Aura said...

I love those moments. I have them when I get home from work and light all the candles, turn on music, and settle into my cozy spot on the couch. Then my husband comes home and turns the giant tv on and it's ruined ;)

Paula said...

This is a great list. Thank you for posting it!

I feel like I have been battling with Rule 8 for the past few months at my job. It's so hard when everything around you changes and you find yourself in a situation you didn't choose. I learned several years ago that leaving one of those situations is always an honorable option. No need to stay around when in your heart you know you can't change the situation and that staying is only causing anxiety.

I'm so glad you got to slow down and breathe.

Maureen said...

Just breathe... beautiful advice.

Let it Shine said...

LOVE #16! SO true!
~Alyshia

Jodi Nelson said...

Beautiful Post. Thanks for sharing. ;o) ooxx`jodi

Shana said...

Very cool. Thanks for posting that. I think we'd all be better off if we followed those little rules. :D

Love the Decor! said...

After a very hectic week reading "just Breathe' caused me to do just that! Thank you for the reminder. :)

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post and it really does make you sit down and think! have a great week-end.

Pam @ bibbidi-bobbidi-beautiful said...

So pretty! I love the succulents (those are succulents, right?!) I have the opposite of a green thumb, I have a brown thumb, but it seems like succulents are pretty hard to kill, right? Do you know what kind these are? Do they require any special care?

Miss Obara said...

so simple and yet so pretty!

Lorri said...

If I had such beautiful surroundings I'd stop and enjoy it for awhile too. :-)

Patti said...

Layla- this is my first comment here, but have been peeking around for quite a bit. Thanks for the beautiful inspirations that you provide here. Love the list, such great rules. Glad you were able to savor the moment.

Shauna said...

Great rules!

Kalee said...

Beautiful post, full of wise bits of wisdom. Enjoy your weekend!

The Wonderful World of Wampler said...

Great advice. :)

# 11 is my favorite. May I copy this off of your blog? I think I NEED to hang it some where I can look at it everyday. I am trying to work on #5.....You've inspired me to just let things go.

Thank you.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE your guest bedroom. I bet it gets used a lot. What a relaxing and calming room. :)

Have a good weekend.

Tara Dillard said...

In her early 70's a mentor told me what she had recently taped to her bathroom mirror.

3 Most Important Rules:
1. Be Kind
2. Be Kind
3. Be Kind

Thanks for your list.
Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

Gina said...

So thankful you wrote this post, thank you for sharing these beautiful and inspiring words!

I am happy to hear you took a moment to slow everything down and take it all in. May our lives have more of these little happy times!

elizabeth said...

Layla,
thanks for rules to remember - it really was a bright spot in my morning - and I need to remember those more often

elizabeth

mah said...

I love the pics on the Apartment Therepy site! What color is the stain on your floors? I am getting ready to redo the floor in our den and I have been thinking of darker. Thanks. Mary Ann

MilkMaid said...

You are such a sweet soul, thanks for all the inspirations you share here, mental and the rest. ;)

Dana and Daisy said...

I need to work harder on number 6!

Prairie Girl Studio said...

hi layla! first off, thanks so much for visiting and leaving a lovely comment ~ you are so genuinely sweet and, rule #19 ... oh so kind! a most wise and wonderful list and i truly believe that you do follow them! 'good' for you!
i so love your 'furkids' expression ... truly.
i know that your mind must go a million miles an hour and i was so delighted that you allowed you to sit and just be ... can there be a better recharge and centering?
one of my sayings ... "go gently, speak kindly",
peace,
prairiegirl xo

paige said...

wonderful words to live by!

beautiful images...as always
xo

Mademoiselle Julie said...

How refreshing! I am in total agreement with # 17: Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other. Will stop by again to read more of your blog! Cheers, Julie