Living By The Rules

This is the Creed we live by here at the 'Pond', why we serve only Karma Coffee and sweet tea!

Both this blogspot and it's connected scrapbook are tributes to the respect and admiration we have for Taylor Hicks.

Not only as an artist, but for the innate goodness of his heart, his humbleness, and his integrity.

Everything that is done here is a reflection of those attributes.

My blogs are always inspired by Taylor Hicks, but today's blog is additionally inspired by two good friends' comments posted in recent blogs.

Sometimes I may sound like a broken record, constantly repeating the same message, but what it all boils down to is one simple word ... kindness.

Today's Cup of Karma:
Always put yourself in others' shoes.
If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.


"Call me naive, but I believe that good things happen to good people who do good things.
And I also believe bad things happen to bad people who do bad things.
Eventually, karma will kick in, and payback can either be a blessing or a bitch." ~ Taylor Hicks ~


A Japanese Folktale of Prudence



In a Japanese temple, an image of a meditating Buddha is seated on a lotus blossom.
In front of him are three little monkeys, one with its hands over its eyes, another over its ears, and the third covering its mouth.

What do these three monkeys signify?
By it's gesture the first one says: " I do not see evil and folly."

The second one says: "I do not hear them."

The third: "I do not speak them."

In the same way, the wise man is prudent in what he looks at, in what he listens to, and in what he says.

He considers the consequences, thinks of the morrow, and if he does not know his way, he asks.



The Golden Rules Of Living
If you open it, close it.
If you turn it on, turn it off.
If you unlock it, lock it up.
If you break it, admit it.
If you can't fix it, call in someone who can.
If you borrow it, return it.
If you value it, take care of it.
If you make a mess clean it up.
If it belongs to someone else and you want to use, get permission.
If it's none of your business, don't ask questions.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
If it will brighten someone's day, say it.
If it will tarnish someone's reputation, keep it to yourself.




"Do Unto Others As You Would Have Others Do Unto You."

This one little sentence is so very powerful and it is a wonderful source of inspiration.

Some version of what we know as the 'Golden Rule' exists in nearly every religion and is considered the best guideline for human behavior there could ever be.

"To me, there's no question that there's a higher power.
Having faith in yourself - and in something bigger than yourself - can be crucial.
Faith and spirituality are an essetial part of who we are.
I firmly believe that the more spiritually correct you can be, the better off you'll be.
Faith creates opportunity, and it creates the strength to keep going while you wait for that opportunity."
~ Taylor Hicks ~



THE GOLDEN RULES

Aboriginal Spirituality
We are as much alive as we keep the Earth alive.
- Chief Dan George

Baha'i Faith
Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.
- Baha'u'llah, Gleanings

Buddhism
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
- The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18

Christianity
In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
- Jesus, Matthew 7:12

Confucianism
One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct. . .loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
- Confucius, Analects 15.23

Hinduism
This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
- Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam
Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.
- The Prophet Muhammad, Hadith

Jainism
One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.
- Mahavira, Sutrakritanga

Judaism
What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary.
- Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a

Sikhism
I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me.
Indeed, I am a friend to all.
- Guru Granth Sahib, pg. 1299

Taoism
Regard your neighbor's gain as your own gain and your neighbor's loss as your own loss.
- T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218

Unitarianism
We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
- Unitarian principle

Zoroastrianism
Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
- Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29





The value of our lives is best measured not by the worldly possessions we've acquired, but rather by the wisdom we share, the hope we inspire, the tears we wipe, and the hearts we touch.



The happiness and lasting contentment we get in our lives is not to be found in what we have, but rather in what we are.



There is much pleasure to be found in the power of kindness, and it is one of the most difficult things to give away because it is almost always returned to us.



When we bring sunshine into the lives of others, we're warmed by it ourselves.



When we spill a little happiness, it splashes on us.



We are nourished when we make the lives of others more enjoyable by something as simple as a smile and a wave, a helpful gesture, an offer of assistance, offering a thank you or an excuse me, or other such simple courtesies.



If every day, we take some time to do even little things, then each new day can be the very best we'll ever live.



Bloom