Chapter 17,
Life.
Life,
It's a simple word.
In essence,
It's the period between birth and death.
Most of us get about 80 years at it,
And are generally provided with everything that we need to have a good time.
They even tell us that the best things in life are free,
And so on paper we have it made.
Common sense would suggest that if we spend 80 years doing something,
We'd become pretty good at it,
But for some reason that doesn't seem the case with life.
As you're reading this book,
You're living your life.
How's it going?
No,
Seriously,
How's it going?
You're the perfect age to bring peace and happiness into your life.
The title or label others choose for you is nothing more than a recognition of your life experience to this point.
You have come to understand that a few letters arranged on a business card don't define you,
Only you can define you.
At this very moment,
Whether you're relaxing on a sofa,
Dug in on a battlefield,
Commuting on a packed train,
Or waiting on death row,
You are free.
A freedom that is an internal choice and not reliant upon external factors.
Your natural beauty radiates from within,
Born out of a kind,
Caring,
Compassionate approach to life and others.
It shines brighter and makes you far more attractive than any skin deep,
Quick fix formula.
You may have wanted to look different,
But now only look forward to picking the perfect nose without the need to change its shape.
There have been many times in your life when your happiness was dependent upon something outside of your control.
You now see the frailty of this and choose to be at peace with all that you have right now.
This is in the knowledge that as you do less,
You get more.
In slowing down and focusing on all that you have in life,
More finds its way to you.
You are able to recognise that judgement and criticism stem from insecurity and fear.
A compassionate approach helps you to look past the empty words and move on each time.
You live in a world that works day and night to make you just like everyone else.
Don't fit in.
Wear what makes you feel good.
Eat what you like.
Be comfortable in your skin and you will inspire others to do the same.
It seems that society has a plan for all of us and you have a part to play.
Choose your own part and don't leave it to someone else.
Set out to win.
Give it everything and look to inspire and motivate others.
But play fair and always with respect.
True quality shows through as much in defeat as victory.
What will the children in your life remember when they think of you?
Your kind,
Caring nature will stay with them for a lifetime whilst making sure that they have the latest model only lasts as long as the latest model.
Living your dreams reduces your debt.
Do what you love and the money will follow.
As your outlook on life changes,
So will the people who are in it.
Their attraction to you will be based upon who you are and not what you have.
In turn,
You now notice people for what's in their hearts rather than their bank accounts.
Friendships born this way last a lifetime.
Are you the person the world expects you to be or the person who you really want to be?
Only one of these brings health and happiness.
Nothing energises you like being true to who you really are.
Silence brings meaning and with it every answer that you will ever need.
As you develop an understanding and connection with this inner self,
It offers peace to you in every situation.
It only ever delivers kindness,
Compassion and understanding.
All religions offer us a lifetime of learning in the hope of finding this place and many do.
Let silence and a little trust take you there without having to open the manual.
So,
As you come to the end of this book,
What are the moments that really matter and do you make the most of them?
Will you simply exist and react to your life or can you make more of a difference?
Do you live the life that you want for yourself or the one others expect of you?
Finally,
And perhaps the most poignant reflection,
Asks what is your life for?
Does your life have purpose?
Because now it has meaning.
