THE MESSENGER’S LIST

If we look back through time, every person we revere had wisdom, and the more wisdom they had, the more lasting has been their place in history. Each had learned the Art of Living and shared their hard-earned wisdom with us in their unique way.

Cicero said, “Wisdom is understanding how eternal truth can be applied to life.”

It would seem then, if we desire to master the Art of Living, we must also figure out just what are the “eternal truths,” and apply them in our own lives. We have been taught the search for those truths is incredibly difficult and reserved for philosophers and priests. We common folks can only hope to dabble around the edges and gain a few crumbs, but great wisdom will escape almost all of us.

Thankfully, this is not an inescapable conclusion. On the contrary, the “eternal truths” have been staring us in the face since man first became man, but we have been too blind and too busy to see them for what they truly are. The eternal truths are the principles by which the brightest and best of us lived, and live.

How principles actually work appears to have been the real secret all along. Principles are classified in the dictionary as nouns, but in the Art of Living Dictionary, principles are adverbs. How knowledge is used is as important as the knowledge itself.

Principles guide us to the highest possible use of knowledge, regardless of the era in which they are to be used. Wisdom has also been defined as “the discretionary use of knowledge for the greatest good.” In this definition, our personal responsibility in the process is clearly stated in the term discretionary. What we choose to think determines our choice of actions. The principled use of knowledge yields the wise course of action.

So the eternal truths are always available to each of us and we need struggle no longer searching for them. In our hearts we already know the right “thing to do.” We simply need to practice until thinking that way becomes a habit.

Here is a partial list of the Eternal Truths.

Acceptance
Accountability
Alertness
Appreciation
Balance
Bravery
Calmness
Caring
Caution
Compassion
Cooperation
Courage
Courtesy
Creativity
Curiosity
Defiance
Determination
Devotion
Discretion,
Endurance
Flexibility,
Focus
Forgiveness
Generosity
Gentleness
Gratitude
Honesty
Honesty
Humbleness
Humor
Impartiality
Industry
Innocence
Justice
Kindness
Magnanimity
Majesty
Mercy
Moderation
Modesty
Nurturing
Obedience
Openness
Optimism
Patience
Peace
Prudence
Purpose
Receptivity
Reliability
Responsibility
Restraint
Self-Respect
Sensitivity
Simplicity
Sincerity
Sobriety
Spontaneity
Steadfastness
Strength
Striving
Thoughtfulness
Tolerance
Toughness
Tranquility
Trust
Trustworthiness
Truthfulness
Understanding

At this time of year we celebrate many Messages of Eternal Wisdom. The instructions to Love one another are indeed possible if we let The Messenger’s List of Eternal Truths guide our thoughts.

Peace and Joy,
Doug