Illustration by Miki Howenstein

                                            Explore a winter wonderland—one way to be good to yourself
​                                                                    February 27 (in the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

Many of us in today’s world have either become so busy, or so bored with our lives, that we have forgotten how to have fun. For others, having fun seems like “a waste of time,” preventing us from doing more “important” things. Yet, this is exactly what we need in order to enjoy life, rather than feel burdened by it. By having something to look forward to (every day), our lives become touched with joy and excitement. 

Having fun is good for our health, in that it makes us forget our worries. Also, during that time, the mind is relaxed and able to gain a new perspective, which may give us insights that make our lives more fulfilling. Most importantly, having fun means that you value yourself enough to treat yourself well. The best thing you can do for others, for your work, for your life is to be good to yourself. (David Howenstein, “The Importance of Having Fun,” Jambo International, October 2013, http://jambointernational.org/en/2013/10/08/3919/.)

JR: Religion and spirituality often emphasize doing good to others. While this is surely important in order to bring a deeper joy and contentment into your life, it is impossible to do so without first doing good to yourself. Unfortunately, this is difficult for some people because of their sense of guilt or having been told that they are unworthy. Being good to yourself is not selfish, but rather is a first step in being able to be good to others.

PP: Decide on something that you will do later today that you can look forward to. See how it makes you feel better throughout the day.

PA: I need a routine to bring good things periodically into my day, mainly to give me a boost. These are my favorites:

• Breathing meditation to cultivate appreciation and focus
• Getting early morning sunlight to awaken body and soul
• Read books to inspire me throughout the day.
• Exercise to get my natural drugs (dopamine et al)
• Have coffee (to wake me up) or beer (for relaxing)

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                                                                  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
​                                                   (From page 14 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

……. In the process of “re-educating” yourself, you come to question the truth of a meaningful education for the society at large, particularly for the youth in our schools. What kind of learning would be emphasized in order to result in a society you long to move towards?…….

Author’s Comment:   What is meaningful eduction? Think about the sort of person you wish to be, the kind of relationships you want to cultivate, and the type of society/environment you long to help to create. When you come to understand the answers to these, any learning which moves you in that direction can instill your life with more purpose when you put it into practice.

                                                                   Illustration by Miki Howenstein
​                                                  (From page 378 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

….. It is then, too, that you have become a creator, but it doesn’t stop there. No longer dependent on the outside world to determine your destiny, now you have developed the capacity to choose your own fortune and are able to mobilize yourself towards living it out.…….
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Author’s Comment: THE GIFT OF BEING HUMAN—the ability to willingly create and improve lives for the better. And an important, albeit often forgotten, part of this process is to discern what you truly wish to create. The possibilities are endless and first finding the kind of creation which best fits you will instill within you the passion to dedicate yourself to your special, unique gift to the world. How demanding, and ultimately, how rewarding!

                                                  Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                   (From page 346 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

….. Never, ever base your major course of action only on what others tell you to do.  Actions can be taken by anyone…….

​Author’s Comment: TAKING ACTION—how important to uplift the spirit. One of the primary reasons for becoming depressed is not only the loss of hope but also the unwillingness to take action for what you consider as good. Simply taking the dog out for a walk or writing a letter to someone who is feeling down can ignite a spark in your heart, and feeding it can make it grow into a warm, nurturing flame. One reason you may not feel this is that you are doing something not fit for you, often enticed by what others say. I myself felt  that doing good by volunteering at a crisis hot line would inspire me, but I usually grudgingly did the work. Through much trial and error, I found that environmental restoration work was the kind of action which really elevated body and soul. You’ll know you found the right action for you when your being feels lighter and more energized.
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                                                             Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                               (From page 312 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

… With faith firmly inculcated into your being, you become different and see others differently, for you are then securely grounded in a world of hope. Accompanying this hope comes the realization that most of us (probably yourself included) are trapped by our culture’s false stories, those very stories which destroy our environment and accelerate the injustices in our world…..
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Author’s Comment: Much of cultivating a genuine sense of hope for a better world entails weeding out the cultural stories which degrade the human spirit  (like “we’re all greedy”) or damage the environment (efficiency is most important, even if it causes suffering). Any hopeful demeanor based on faith in humankind will prioritize those cultural stories (new and old) which build the good character in people and restore the health of our natural environment.

                                                          Illustration by Miki Howenstein
​                                           (From page 280 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

…….. Nature is often seen in today’s world as a resource, which is to be exploited for our selfish good, leading to the environmental ruin which we see today. Yet, it is the most integrated, productive system known to us, and one that could lead us towards a far more sustainable world if closely imitated.…….
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Author’s Comment: By envisioning nature as a miraculous, self-sustaining system which existed well before humankind made our entrance on the planet and probably will continue after our farewell, we will come to respect her and hold her in awe, seeking to learn from her ways. If we continue to see her as a resource to be used (and abused), we sow the seeds to our own destruction; however, working together with her in a mutually beneficial give-and-take can move us towards a world where we all flourish.

                                                              Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                               (From page 246 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

…….. Forging the connections that are best will vary greatly from one person to another, depending on your character and your environment. The more extroverted may prefer to connect with other people through organizing fun get-togethers or volunteering. The more introverted may connect with famous writers of forgone times and share them with others through writing, develop technological applications that cultivate compassion, or take care of animals and plants…….
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Author’s Comment: As a social and curious living being, searching for the connections which instill you with energy and life is inherent to becoming a more fulfilled being. My desire to be seen as good pushed me to do work with those in need, without realizing that I too had needs that were not being met. After much trial and error, I found my greatest joy in connecting people to nature through hikes and environmental projects. It’s difficult to ignore the messages of others near and far, but searching deep within and making the connections best for you will surely enliven mind, body, and spirit.

                                                                          Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                                         (From page 212 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

…….. Understand that people resort to meanness and crime largely because of the feeling of being disrespected and unloved. We treat all people with respect with the realistic hope that our treatment will be a seed for others to do the same. …….

​Author’s Comment: Simply lending an angry person your ear (REALLY LISTENING) is often enough to defuse the anger. And how difficult to do so when your ire has been needled as well. Keeping in mind how much you hope the other will truly hear you can help you to take the first step, listening respectfully and lovingly. Doing so may not always bear fruit, but is much more likely to so than fighting against each other. Helping others to feel dignified and included is a great way to bring more peace and peoples’ goodness into the society.

                                                                 Illustration by Miki Howenstein
                                                    (From page 180 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)

…….. At a deeper, life-engendering level, very few of us know what our purpose is, what we truly want, and then continue to live unhappily without knowing why …….

​Author’s Comment: We have so many conflicting wants and desires, often at battle amongst themselves to be the first to become fulfilled. And how tempting it is to choose those which are easier to attain and give a temporary high, rather than others which take an effort but enliven your whole life (in mind, body and spirit). Sorry to say that I myself have fallen victim to this trap, constantly searching for my grander purpose and meddling in too many activities, some of which move me more towards fulfillment while others lead me astray. How fortunate is the one who finds her purpose and dedicates herself thereto!

                                                                         Illustration by Miki Howenstein
​                                                         (From page 146 of the book “Jumbo Jumble”)
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…….. The exploration of different paths in moving towards these universal ideals in such a multi-cultural world can be frustrating and stressful. Yet, when you approach the search with a sense of curiosity, and share your ideas and learn from others, you are humbled by your own ignorance of the diverse ways of life around the world, which can also be a source of great delight. And, in the process, you become much wiser towards learning new ways of living in unity that you might have never before considered.

Author’s Comment: Belief in a set of universal ideals which are held by humanity as a whole provides a foundation for the believer on which to build her life. Yet, understanding that these ideals often are colliding with each other can lead her to see how others balance these conflicting ideals and search out ways to best harmonize them in her own life. This never-ending struggle may, at times, be difficult to carry out, yet living more and more in accord with these ideals blesses her with a sense of confidence and integrity which is a shining light to those around her.