All Things Great And Grand

Theme song: No New Tale To Tell

2013 has proved to be one of the very most incredible years of my life.

As this amazing year draws to a close and all actions regrettable and otherwise have become water under the bridge, I have decided to share my learnings with you, my beloved readers, in hopes of making your 2014 faster, better and stronger than before.

Or, if serenity is your thing, mellower, richer and more stable than before. Ready?

There are, in my opinion, five things greater and grander than all the rest.

They are:

1. Time
2. Money
3. Nature
4. Circumstance and
5. Love

Allow me to expound on these five points if but briefly.

Time. Time is the neutral and colorless structure holding our life wishes, desires, loves, hates and -- importantly -- our actions.

Time, then, holds our regrets.

Have any?

Back before I started taking responsibility for my own life I had no regrets because nothing was my fault.

In that way, life was easy and I had lots of time and did as I pleased. I was playing it safe in H***.

Money. Money, those slips of paper, shiny round things and the bits and bytes you see flashing on your multiple screens, has long since been elevated to God-like status.

We work for money, we pray for money and we can't live without it.

This is what I've learned: In a "civilization" like ours one cannot be fully mature unless one knows not only how to earn money, but also how to keep from being controlled by it.

Don't envy the independently wealthy -- they live everyday with the secret knowledge that if their wealth were suddenly and cruelly stripped from them they would be the spiritual equivalent of naked children.

Nature. We are all of us bound by our bodies and their needs and, as in concentric circles, are bodies are bound by nature.

We are not separate from our need for air, water, food, clothing, shelter, sleep and sometimes care.

Money may sometimes pull us and time may constrain us but our bodies rule us.

Circumstance. Of all things great and grand, circumstance is the most pliable.

Were you born black or white? Rich or poor? With 3 limbs or 4? In this century or the last?

These cards you were dealt very much shape you yet it is up to you to learn to play them to their best advantage.

Take up your cards. Be proud of them. Leverage them as best you can because they are yours and no one else's.

Love. Of all things great and grand, love is the most mysterious. Love is infinite. In fact, even as it is controlled by time, money, nature and circumstance, the actual fabric of life is made of love.

Remember this: Nothing is more important than your relationships.

2014 - The Year of Love Cheat Sheet

Here's a little Cheat Sheet to help you plan for 2014:

1. Use your time wisely. No regrets.
2. Recognize that money is a false God so be gentle as you learn to live without compromising yourself for it.
3. Remember your animal nature and take care of yourself like the exquisite resource you surely are.
4. Circumstances may be difficult or favorable. Be brave enough to admit your heart's desire and then -- no excuses -- define your personal best and go for it.
5. Find and treasure true love.

Friends, colleagues, family, children, Laura -- I love you.

May 2014 be your best and brightest year ever!

Your Turn

What do you find greatest and most grand? Share in the comments along with holiday wishes.