Posted by andries on Jul 30, 2009 in
Change,
Musing I am subscribed to daily Philosopher’s Notes and find them very refreshing, perfect to get me inspired about my daily attitude and experience, at the start of the day. Here is one I particularly enjoyed:
The Five Pillars of Wealth: Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical, and Spiritual. Without these five pillars, you might be rich, but you’ll never be wealthy. Interestingly enough, I’ve found that the more you reach this state of true wealth, the more money rushes to you—and all that money can provide. The universe is at your command and lines up in joyous support of your awakening.” ~ “James Arthur Ray from Harmonic Wealth”
The essence of “Harmonic Wealth” is the idea that we need to have “harmony” between the different areas of our lives. Think of a great symphony–you’ve got the musicians playing different instruments and it’s the harmony among them that makes for an outstanding performance. Same thing with our lives! If we don’t have the Five Pillars (Financial, Relational, Mental, Physical, and Spiritual) harmonized, it’s like we’re at a REALLY bad concert. 
James continues: “Understand that your pillars are interdependent: When you attend to each of them, all increase in strength. When you take care of your health by working out regularly and eating well, you create multiple benefits. Sexual relationships become enhanced by your greater confidence and stamina. Business booms from your increased energy. You’re more alert and receptive in spiritual pursuits. You’re more alive. Similarly, spiritual growth translates to deepening intimacy in friendships and romantic relationships, fueling your desire to keep up with your physical exercise.”
I like the idea of balancing out these pillars or finding your “life mix” just like a business needs to fit its marketing mix I have been intrigued by the Integral Life Practice kit of Ken Wilber ever since I saw it, as it combines a balanced approach to lifestyle, personal development etc. and hope I can pick it up myself soon.. I realize I am procrastinating it, as I feel I want to share it with my partner in the morning and fail the discipline and willpower to rise up in the morning and practice alone. To ponder on, especially after my previous post on revitalizing morning habits!
You can’t be success at everything. Any vision of success has to admit what it is losing out on, where the element of loss is.
– Alain de Botton
Posted by andries on Jul 30, 2009 in
Change,
Musing Imagine you can develop one new habit to do every day, which one would it be?
This must be one of my favourites..! http://www.goaltribe.com/blog/2009/do-something-extraordinary-before-breakfast-every-day/
I’m in! Going to start tomorrow morning, not sure with what yet but I’m sure inspiration will come in the moment
From their post:
Some Extraordinary Things You Can Do Before Breakfast
1. Contact a friend you’ve lost touch with
2. Write a letter to the editor or your congressman
3. Write a gratitude Letter
4. Brainstorm Solutions to your life’s most pressing problems
5. Exercise
6. Do a random act of kindness
7. Set up a romantic gesture that will make your loved one swoon 
8. Finally: get organized, get on a budget, get scheduled, get a life!
9. Write a timeline of your life so far (and then where you’d like it to go from here!)
10. Take action for some cause online (sign a petition, spread the word, send money, get educated, etc.)
11. Meditate
Posted by andries on Jul 30, 2009 in
Insights To contemplate on..
From: http://www.grameen-info.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=126
Every year GB staff evaluate their work and check whether the socio-economic situation of GB members is improving. GB evaluates poverty level of the borrowers using ten indicators.
A member is considered to have moved out of poverty if her family fulfills the following criteria:
1. The family lives in a house worth at least Tk. 25,000 (twenty five thousand) or a house with a tin roof, and each member of the family is able to sleep on bed instead of on the floor.
2. Family members drink pure water of tube-wells, boiled water or water purified by using alum, arsenic-free, purifying tablets or pitcher filters.
3. All children in the family over six years of age are all going to school or finished primary school.
4. Minimum weekly loan installment of the borrower is Tk. 200 or more.
5. Family uses sanitary latrine.
6. Family members have adequate clothing for every day use, warm clothing for winter, such as shawls, sweaters, blankets, etc, and mosquito-nets to protect themselves from mosquitoes.
7. Family has sources of additional income, such as vegetable garden, fruit-bearing trees, etc, so that they are able to fall back on these sources of income when they need additional money.
8. The borrower maintains an average annual balance of Tk. 5,000 in her savings accounts.
9. Family experiences no difficulty in having three square meals a day throughout the year, i. e. no member of the family goes hungry any time of the year.
10. Family can take care of the health. If any member of the family falls ill, family can afford to take all necessary steps to seek adequate healthcare.