Give Life a High Five.

A simple but illuminating message came through my inbox recently. Five rules to live by.

• Have no hatred in your heart
• Have no worry on your mind
• Live simple
• Give more
• Expect less

When was the last time you said something negative about someone? Not in good humor, but with contempt and disdain. How about the last time you worried about something you had no control over in the first place? Probably something of this nature crossed your mind in the last 48 hours. In the great U.S.A., is there a such thing as living simple? Just ask yourself if you have more than you need and you'll have your answer. How about giving more and expecting less. What kind of nonsense is that? Why would anyone want to give anything if there is no reward for the effort? That would just be a profound waste of time. That's the problem with us. So many things we do directly interferes with our journey towards happiness. So much of our happiness is rooted and derived from the happiness we bring to others. Why do we let ourselves be shortsighted and insensitive when we ultimately are only hindering our own happiness.

Even been in a room while friends are laughing at racist jokes? Ever been the one to initiate the racist joke? It's so easy to laugh at people we find obvious ways to separate ourselves from. We can distance ourselves from one another so easily by looking at the color of our skin, the God we worship, the tax bracket we bitch about. Racial indifferences, societal imbalances, economic inequalities are great bases from which to generate good old fashion, mean-spirited humor. We like to laugh at others when it hurts them. Deep down it empowers us. It makes us better than the "others". But the sad, true reality is there are no "others." We are the others. When we make a racist joke and laugh at the ignorance of others, we're insulting ourselves. We're taking a piece of our heart and trading it in for a laugh. What kind of return on investment is that? Why say something about someone that you wouldn't want said about your mother or father (even if it were true?) Hatred has one place in our lives. The past. Have no hatred in your heart.

Worrying sure can take up a lot of time if you allow it to. It can consume your day from start to finish. Or sometimes it can just be an instant in a day, but it's enough to linger in your mind preventing other positive experiences to resonate freely. Why do we pray and yet assume the responsibility of worrying. Shouldn't that be left to a providential figure? Isn't that what we're doing when we pray? We're acknowledging a higher power and It's supremacy over all final results. So how great would it be to enjoy life in spite of the obstacles and challenges. No matter what; waking up in the morning and pre-deciding that it's going to be a great day. No hesitation, no doubt about it, that would be the life of a person with a mind free of worry. Guaranteed there is no one that wouldn't trade a life of worry for a life without it. So be rid of it and leave it to God. Let there be a reason for His presence and let it be to guide us, take care of us, protect us, save us. Don't worry. Just don't.

Living simple. Too much is usually what is around us. We have a car that too sporty, or maybe a wardrobe with one too many white shirts. Or how about that last pair of shoes, the ones that you don't have an outfit for yet, but just had to get anyway. Being simple doesn't mean don't run and get that 7 series or sitting in coach even though you're making six-figures. It's about not taking it over the edge. It's about not making it the crux of your life. Money mustn't be the source of the joy, but rather a consequence of being joyful. Be simple in the way you love your family and friends. Appreciate them for who they are and what they can do. No one is equal and no one can compare to ideals we establish within our minds. Live simple so that you don't feel like you're missing out on life. Be simple about achieving your goals. Put your best effort into a cause and let the results be what they may. Living simple is just one way of saying be true to yourself. Be honest.

Give more and expect less. Love is what makes the world go around. It's also what's been known to bring the house down. Love can be so complicated because we do not allow ourselves to understand our feelings. We think sometimes we know what is best for us and we convince ourselves we're fighting in the name of love. Love so quickly can evolve from being a selfless endeavor into a system of exchanges. "I love you" followed by "I love you too." That one always gets me. The expectation that arises after expressing sincere feelings can surely be a lot to handle. So why just let go of the expectations? It's far easier and much more rewarding to see the joy we can bring to others. Do you know how important you are to someone else? Do you know the role you play the lives of others? Have you brought joy to others? The smiles we crack can never compare to the smiles we elicit. Sharing is caring. No natural resource is more readily available than love. It sustains the destitute. It has long been the fuel for vagabonds and others lost in the world. Love and it's glorious magic can take a whirlpool and transform it into a jacuzzi. The question is, are you willing to build it for someone else while you toast in the sun? I hope so, because there is no greater love than the love we give unconditionally. Just give because it's what makes us great. It's the power in our hearts that makes life so great. It's all about love. Life is all about bringing joy to others. It's about sharing all the love in our heart with others.

I sure sound like a preacher right now. But I don't care. I'm saying what needs to be said. We have to improve ourselves so we can live quality lives. It's only after we improve ourselves, that the world around us will improve. Rid your heart of hatred. Don't laugh at mean remarks. Don't make mean comments. Don't fret about things you can't control. Rather, put your energy into dealing with things you can control. Use your mind and heart wisely. Don't waste them. Live simple and be happy with less. You'll appreciate it more. Give more, in every way everyday. Expect less so that your heart can fulfill its destiny by bringing joy to others.

Turning 30: Another corner, another bum

Ten years ago, I was a couple of weeks shy of turning 20. I was looking forward to kissing the teenage years goodbye, but not the teenage girls. The advent of a new era inspired me. The dreams and goals that had long seemed so far away, were now not so distant. Brimming with confidence, head up high approaching another corner; never even noticed the bum.

Time definitely was not even a slight consideration. Turning 20, a whole new world was yet to be discovered. A new decade that was destined to be filled with momentous events and celebrations. So much to look forward to - 21st, 25th bday hoorahs! Graduating college. Perhaps attending and completing grad school. Marriage. Kids. Rewind - how about traveling the world to exotic locations. Making new friends and new memories. Meeting new people all ready to conquer the world and forging alliances that would last a lifetime. So much good yet to transpire. All rest areas to look forward to along the journey.

Fast forward to now and turning 30 sure doesn't feel anything like that. It's as if it's another corner, another bum. The magic that accompanied the innocence a decade ago, is now a jaded burn that results from too much exposure to disappointment. Older and wiser sure seems to be a popular consolation reference. Of course the rugrats doing the consoling are in their mid-20's. They still have wind in their sails, afloat in temperate waters. The chagrin on the face of those who already turned the corner and passed the bum, is validation that what's about to happen is not so positive. Sure there's plenty of future ahead. Of course looking 10 blocks down and seeing 40 can bring a fella down pretty quick. Head down and spiritless they missed the bum entirely.

Having been walking for 10 blocks, there's been ample time for reflection. About to turn this corner and about to pass another bum. But it's not about me any more. It's about something bigger. There is a bigger world out there and there is a lot of change that needs to be implemented. The world is need of selfless leaders. It's the courage of those who battle through experiences and learn from them that make this world a better place. Inspired by those many who have walked this road before, it's imperative to stop and notice the bum on the corner. Turning 30, I'm turning a corner. Walking away from an era when it was all about me. It's about others now. It's about making a difference. Having had my head in the clouds, and my head in my ass; I'll opt to keep my head straight as I approach this turn. Surely I'll notice the bum and I'll buy him a coffee. Because it's not about me any more. It's time I stop and hold my breath as I notice the bum.