Instructions for Life

With it being the last day of 2012, I think what I'm about to share with you is rather appropriate. It's something to take into the new year with you. Kind of like a Baz Luhrmann ending to the year.

It's a set of instructions written by the Dalai Lama and was given to me as a Christmas gift by my younger sister.

The instructions consist of nineteen points.

Here goes:

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

2. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

3. Follow the three Rs:

Respect for self

Respect for others and

Responsibility for all your actions

4. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

5. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.

6. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

7. When you've realised you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

8. Spend some time alone every day.

9. Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.  

 

See you in 2013.
 
: )

www.gavinwhyte.co.uk

Give Your Worries To The Angels

It's only natural that doubt arises when questioning our purpose in life.

What if we're not doing what we're supposed to be doing?

What if we're wasting our time doing something that isn't relevant to our calling?

What if we end up squeezed up to our last breath like in a sardine tin, still not knowing what we were supposed to be doing?

Or even worse, what if our purpose suddenly makes itself known to us as our last breath is released?

That doesn't sound ideal to me.

Whenever I get into this state of uncertainty I become aware of what life is trying to tell. I look out for symbolic smoke signals and signs. So what happened next was I received an email from someone who I had only met twice before whilst training as a bereavement support worker. In the email she asked if I would sign two copies of my book for her. One of them was for herself and the other she had bought as a Christmas gift for a friend.

After signing the books, my friend stressed the fact that the reason she had bought a copy for her friend was because her friend was into angels. I felt like she was drilling this into me. She said it several times. After the meeting I got thinking about my book and how people perceive it. It never really occurred to me that it was a book about angels - when clearly, it is!

Shortly after, when I was alone, I asked the question, 'Am I supposed to be working in the field of angels?'

Kindred Spirit magazine popped into my head, so I went out and bought a copy. I flicked through it and it contained article after article on angels. I was drawn to an article by Jacky Newcomb, who later I found out, she was known as the Angel Lady. I had never heard of her or her books, but I felt an urge to send her a copy of my book - this I did on Christmas eve.

I like to listen to music whilst writing, so whilst out walking I asked out loud 'Should I order an angel CD?' (I had a CD by Llewellyn in mind). I looked to my right and there was a small white feather dancing in the wind in front of me. Now, I'm not at all widely educated on angels, but I know that a white feather is taken as a sign that you have been heard, that you are being watched over and you are not alone.

I have recently ordered the CD by Llewellyn.

Since then, ideas have been pouring in as to what I can write about, and I truly feel that I'm back on track with my calling.

Last night I was at my sister's. She was panicking because she couldn't find a much needed dummy so my one year old niece could fall soundly asleep. I popped out to the local store to see if they had any - but it was Christmas evening - nowhere would be open. I drove back and updated her. In the kitchen I saw her keyring on her keys. It's coin-like and on the outside it says, 'Give your worries to the angels.'

'Help me find a dummy,' I whispered.

'Gav,' said my sister, 'check the ball pool (which my niece had got for Christmas) in the dining room.'

I dipped my hand in the brightly coloured balls and pulled out a dummy. I smiled. 'Thanks,' I said.

That's another thing - I was always told to say thank you when you have been helped or assisted by an ethereal being.

I'm aware of how feminine angels are portrayed, but guys, don't let this put you off.

I don't know what angels are. I don't know who they are. I don't really know how they work, or even if they exist, for that matter!! But I can speak from experience, that something happens when I call on them for help and advice.
  
Take the advice from my sister's keyring - GIVE YOUR WORRIES TO THE ANGELS (just to see what happens). 

www.gavinwhyte.co.uk