Turning Straw Into Gold

Well said - thanks for putting this together in a readily accessible way. I will be forwarding this to a couple of my friends who are non-religious, but still want to cultivate feelings of well-being in others.

Toni this was a brilliant piece that I really enjoyed reading. So much truth in the 7 points. I especially liked number 2. Use the three part test before speaking. Are my words: True, Kind, and Helpful? I wish everyone would practice this. Number 4 is spot on. Our thoughts are powerful and can lead us to take action, which can be positive or negative. And I adored number 6. Praise and blame will follow us where ever we go. Never let either shake you. Thanks again Toni!

Thanks for this list. Good reminders about what REALLY matters every day. Hope the new year brings you peace and happiness, Toni. I continue to dip into "How To Be Sick" as it has so many outstanding and helpful tips. Best wishes!

Thanks for taking the time to send this out. I will be copying this out off and putting it beside my bathroom mirror, as a reminder of how to live my life.

Another pithy thought I always try to remember, "Just because I believe it doesn't mean it is true."

Thanks for this article - I think you've given us something to develop and cultivate our minds, lest the kiln of habit make our inclinations rigid and our awareness, well...unaware!

I offer you gratitude my friend for so many reasons...this beautiful post is yet another to add to my LOOOOOOOOONG list! Happy New Year Dear Toni!

Toni: I have been reflecting lately that, although it seems there is little I can do in the world (due to chronic pain), I don't ever have to stop becoming a more loving, whole person. This list of Buddha resolutions is a wonderful reminder and affirmation of that, while also making concrete the ways it can happen. Thank you.

I think #6 - letting neither praise nor blame affect me - will be the most difficult for me. And the one I most need.

Caro D. Marsh

This expresses so simply and eloquently how I would like to live, how I would like to BE, and gives me even more resolve with regard to how I can improve the practice and understanding of these tenets.

I relate to what Carol writes about being limited on a physical level, but being able to continue to grow as a person and to offer the most important things of all – compassion, lovingkindness, openheartedness, forgiveness, lack of judgement, serenity, and joy.

It is not what we do, it is who we are that matters, and all of these resolutions are focused on such an authentic way of being. Thanks, Toni, for once again making what I desperately seek to grasp and practice so accessible and even more beautiful. Happy New Year :-). love rose

Hello Toni and much appreciation to you for this most excellent piece! As I read it, and afterward pondering the content and meaning, the word that continued to arise in my mind was "wholeness". Since becoming so ill, I've weathered a struggle of feeling whole, useful, worthwhile. That list goes on, no need to belabor it. Considering these thoughts, ideas, ways of being, I found that for me, being whole means still having something to offer. It doesn't take physical strength to offer others compassion or thoughtfulness in word or action, a genuine smile, understanding, a place of trust, peace. It took a while but I've come to terms with my "new" self, mostly through acceptance. I still have much to offer.

Number 5 is key for me. Our focus is our life. Being pliable in each moment, meeting each moment with an open heart, focusing on what we ourselves do or do not do causes a huge shift. And, it creates an environment of internal peace, not being tossed about by the thoughts or actions of others. I had a personal experience with this over the holidays and this shift occurred, though only after a bit of feeling sorry for myself first:-). Practice, practice, practice.

I appreciate your continued dedication to sharing through the written word. I know it is not always easy and requires much work. Thank you for your work.

Wishes of peace to you and family in this brand new year.
Sharon