Living Wisely Living Well | With Asha Nayaswami

Try to understand points of view that are different from your own. The mind, like the body, must be stretched now and then to keep it limber, lest it ossify.

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Today, treat as a friend some neighbor whom you scarcely know. Ask him what you might do to make the nearness of your residences more pleasing to him. By your good will, contradict the ancient dictum, “Your neighbor is your enemy; your neighbor’s neighbor is your friend.”

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Try always to relate to what is, not to what you wish were so.

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Trust life, even if you cannot trust people. For human nature is unreliable, but life itself is ruled by immutable law. Right action leads always, in the end, to victory

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Criticize no one. If you must offer correction, give that person a way to preserve his self-respect. When others feel your support, they will support you in turn—perhaps at times when you need it most.

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Make it a point, today, to laugh at least three times from your heart. Such laughter is the strongest antidote for disease, depression, and corroding sorrow of every kind.

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Even when threatened by disaster, if you are steadfastly honest and truthful you will not only survive: you will flourish.

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In addressing those who have spoken against you, say to them, “Thank you. You’ve helped me affirm that which alone is real to me: the joy of my own being.” A “friend” once spent more than one hour coldly denouncing me for all the faults he had perceived in me. They seemed in some way to disturb his peace of mind. I listened in silence, then thanked him. There was nothing more to be said. After his departure, however, I wrote what I think of as one of my best songs, the lyrics of which go:

Though green summer fade

     And winter draw near,

My Lord, in Your presence

     I live without fear.

Through tempest, through snows,

     Through turbulent tide,

The touch of Your hand

     Is my strength, and my guide.

I ask for no riches

     That death can destroy.

I crave only Thee:

     Your love, and Your joy.

The dancers will pass;

     The singing must end:

I welcome the darkness

     With You for my Friend.

For this song I am forever grateful to my self-styled enemy and ill-wisher.

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How should you respond to a false accusation? You might try answering, “Now that you’ve reduced me to a level you can handle, may we talk as friends?” (That subtle reprimand will be well deserved!)

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The more you share with others, the more you will receive in life the blessing of abundance.

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