The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

As a spiritual but non-religious person, I do not come across prayers too often. But recently in one intensive personal and spiritual development session we worked with a prayer that I found absolutely beautiful and an almost perfect summary of what the spiritual path (and a life based on joy and happiness) should be all about. So I would like to share the Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi below.

And as long as I am writing on the subject of prayer, I would also like to offer a tip to those who have a resistance to prayers (as I did and sometimes still do): Instead of thinking "prayer", think "speaking from the heart to the creator, a higher source or to something that transcends us". You may find that such a shift may release tremendous energy and joy deep from your heart. Also, try experimenting with creating your own prayers or "speeches from the heart to a higher source", according to your wishes and needs at the time.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury,pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

What is the single best thing you can do for your health?

Watch this fantastic video to find out:

Eating healthy foods is only a small part of really eating healthy!

One of my new year's resolutions was to eat more healthy. So I cut down on stuff like sweets, cola drinks, alcohol and increased the amount of vegetables, fruits, high-quality juices, wholewheat grains, nuts, beans, etc., in my diet. Basically no brainer stuff, but surprisingly hard to do. But the more I thought about healthy eating, the more convinced I became that eating healthy foods is only a small part of really eating healthy! By that I mean that I believe that just as important is eating slowly, fully chewing the food, eating fully concentrated (i.e., not reading or watching TV while eating), eating with appreciation for the food itself and for the energy contained in the food, savoring each food's different taste and smell, and so on. I really believe that in today's high-paced world we have lost much of these aspects of eating healthy, which were probably once as natural as breathing deeply or getting lots of movement. However, at least in my experience, these non-food aspects of eating healthy are even harder to do than eating the right foods. Anyway, I just wanted this post to be a "hmm, lemme think about that for a while" kind of post, rather than a "this is what I think everyone should do" kind of post. So, what do you think about this? Are there are other factors of eating healthy that I've missed? And how important do you think they really are? I am curious to hear your thoughts. Tomas

A fantastic song for this time of year

Just heard this 2010 song by Annie Lennox and thought it was absolutely perfect for this time of year... and going forward in 2012. It's called The Universal Child:



And here are the lyrics, I believe composed by Annie herself, should you be interested:

How many mountains must you face before you learn to climb.
I'm gonna give you what it takes, my universal child.

I'm gonna try to find a way to keep you safe from harm.
I'm gonna be a special place, a shelter from the storm.
And I can see you, you’re everywhere, your portrait fills the sky.
I'm gonna wrap my arms around you, my universal child.

And when I look into your eyes, so innocent and pure.
I see the shadow of the things that you've had to endure.
I see the tracks of every tear that ran ran down your face.
I see the hurt, I see the pain, I see the human race.
I can feel you, you’re everywhere, shining like the sun.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like everyone.

How many tumbles must it take before you learn to fly.
I'm going to help you spread your wings, my universal child.

I can feel you everywhere shining like the sun.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like everyone.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like everyone.

Is this what pure joy looks like?

This is about as close as I've seen!

2012: Let's live in a way that does not infringe on the rights of future generations

Recently while working on a translation assignment, I came across some incredible words about the currently popular topic of "sustainable development". I found the words so pertinent to today's situation on planet Earth  that I want them to be the last words on this blog before I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. These words will certainly inspire me greatly as I think about my priorities for 2012.

Permanently sustainable development - or more precisely, way of life - is focused on the search for harmony between man and nature, between society and its environment, so that we come as close as possible to the ideals of humanism and reverence for life and nature in all of its forms and in all time horizons. It is a way of life that searches for balance between the freedoms and rights of each individual and his/her responsibility towards other people and nature as a whole, including responsibility towards the future generations. We should adopt the principle that the freedom of every individual ends not only where the freedom of another individual begins, but also where the destruction of nature begins. Let's live so that in satisfying our needs, we do not infringe on the rights of those that come after us.

JOSEF VAVROUŠEK (15.9.1944 – 19.3.1995) - the first Czechoslovakian Minister of the Environment

Charlie Chaplin's speech in The Great Dictator

Wow, I had no idea Charlie Chaplin had this dimension to him. Also amazing how this speech is so relevant to today...