My beautiful and charming sister, the one many of you know at Arrrgh, gave me a book a few years ago with instructions to summarize what I learned from each of the 75 lessons. I like this book so much that I want to share it with you and, of course, its lessons, too. The book is about creating a charmed life. It occurs to me that she believes that my life is charmed. I have to agree with her.
I'm not saying that I have never experienced hardship or loss. I'm not saying that I haven't haven't had times when I've been low or frustrated. But my life is charmed. The book was a gift in a number of ways. Naturally, in the traditionally way, but also because it allowed me to see what a GIFT my life is.
Perhaps, the two are synonymous is this sense - both charmed and a gift. Let me explain.
The book is entitled, "Creating a Charmed Life" by Victoria Moran. The author states that people whose lives seem to be charmed are no "better or brighter than anybody else. They have simply put into practice, knowingly or not, the attitudes, aptitudes, and propensities that orchestrate harmonious circumstances".
Funny, I always considered it survivorship. And, gladly!
The first precept to leading a charmed life, is gratitude. How often we complain about what we don't have, or what circumstance befell us. Sometimes, that very circumstance is something for which to show gratitude. In the New Testement of the Bible, Paul recognizes that the "cross he bears", his infirmity, is what makes his life worthy! I don't know if I'm courageous enough to say, "Bring it on!", but I have been able to see the silver lining in what life has handed to me.
Secondly, we must use our lives for the greater good. Are you doing what is serving you well? I turned of an episode of my favorite TV program tonight to wander my gardens, walk my dog, and ponder my charmed life in gratitude. Tomorrow I will help my soon-to-be 17-year-old celebrate her birthday. Greater good? Yeah!
Finally, I have a dream. My dream involves the lives of others. That's good - we should be connected. But scary, because those other people may not feel they can invest in that dream, too. Connectivity . . . that is the secret to a charmed life. Connectivity to our loved ones, to others who have needs, to our Maker.
What is your purpose on this earth? How often do you think about that? In my humble opinion, you are wasting time if you don't give that question its due.
Are you living a charmed life? I don't mean lucky . . . I mean blessed.
