BOOK: Emerson’s Essays, by Ralph Waldo Emerson – My mom gave me Emerson’s Essays when I was a teenager. I’m just realizing how much of an influence it’s had on my own writing in content and form. Emerson was an American orator, poet, and leader of the Transcendentalist movement in the early nineteenth century.
JOY. What makes your spirit smile? Are you experiencing at least one instance of pure joy every day? Do you regularly share acts of kindness? It’s been said that pleasure is in the body, happiness is in the mind, and joy is in the heart. Both pleasure and happiness are fleeting. Joy, on the other hand, is a fruit of the Spirit – a deep-in-the-soul feeling.
KINDNESS. Is your outlook one of compassion or indifference? How often do you perform intentional acts of kindness? Are you a considerate person? Do you show love every day to those who love you? With the calamities of recent times, we have witnessed ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of heroism.
This is the big one: Power Living Principle #3: Honor your Body. As human beings having a spiritual experience, it is crucial for us to honor this temple that houses our souls. Yet, the temple is often neglected and left in ruins. As Emerson said: The first wealth is health. Today, be sure to fill…
