Six Principles of Authentic Living
by Robert Rabbin
© copyright 2004 all rights reserved

A s we set sail from 2004 to 2005, I’d like to offer it as my New Year blessing of good wishes.
What I wish to share with you is about life in the hope I will say something that will be useful to you. These six principles represent what I’ve learned over the past thirty years and are based purely on my own experiments in living. I try to practice these six principles every day, and I like to think these principles are a tree whose fruits are an honorable life, which is what I wish for you.

FIRST PRINCIPLE: LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE

It takes a lot of strength and courage to live your own life, because so many want you to live their idea of what your life should be.
But they are not you, and their values, goals and dreams are theirs, not yours. Only you are you, so find out who you are and how you want to live and what you want to do. Take as much time as you need to do this. Don’t be afraid of changing your mind or of making mistakes, because these are part of the journey of living your own life. Explore different paths, keep learning and growing, and don’t be afraid of wandering off into the unknown, because that wilderness is where great people are born.

SECOND PRINCIPLE: BE PERSISTENT - DON’T GIVE UP

Persistence means to just keep at it, and flexibility means to embrace change when necessary. Keep building your dream, whatever it is. Imagine how many difficulties Noah must have had when he started to build his ark. He had to work weekends and vacations were definitely out. People laughed and thought he was crazy. Still, he stuck with it, and history tells us that Noah had the last laugh.

THIRD PRINCIPLE: RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE

Respect especially those you don’t like or who are so different from you that you are sure they come from another galaxy. A Buddhist version of this principle might be: do no harm. The Buddha used to say this all the time: do no harm. Instead of saying “Hi” or “How are you?” he would say “Do no harm.”
Respecting other people invites them to respect you. If you do no harm to others, and others do no harm to you, can you imagine what a lovely planet this would be? 

FOURTH PRINCIPLE: EXPRESS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION TO EVERYONE — EVERYDAY

This is a form of saying “I love you,” which is a showing of respect. It only takes a moment, but it makes all the difference in the world. This is how we create heaven on earth.
Express gratitude and appreciation for those who have given their very best effort, day after day, year after year, to help you, to teach you, to care for you. Wouldn’t it be fun to go to each one and say, “Thank you for all you have done and tried to do to make me a better person. I love you.” I know you would have friends for life, and you would feel great.
You could also say this to your parents as you leave home for college, or wherever else you may be heading. I know they would be deeply appreciative.

FIFTH PRINCIPLE: LIVE IN THE “NOW” 

It’s the only time there is. Make now count. It’s fine to plan ahead, to set goals, and to wonder about where you want to be in five or ten years. But life is unpredictable, and you never know. Even as you look ahead and plan, make sure your feet, head, and heart are planted firmly in now, this minute, because that is all we have. There are no guarantees about tomorrow.

This moment is where we live our unique life, where we demonstrate who we are. Be your very best in this moment. Face your fears in this moment. Speak the truth of your heart in this moment. Live from the depths of your soul in this moment. If you do, tomorrow and the day after will exceed your wildest dreams.

SIXTH PRINCIPLE: DON’T BECOME CYNICAL ND SELFISH

I know there are a lot of things wrong in our world, and we all face an uncertain future. It may seem we can’t change things, or that the world is not our business. But the world is our business, and we can change things. Don’t cop out, stay involved, be heard. Stand up for righteousness and justice for all.

Take care of yourself and your families, but also make a contribution to others. Find a way to be of service to your community, and to the world in which we live. We should all pitch in and make this Earth a better place for our children, and for their children, and for theirs. Keep a positive outlook, be optimistic, and help those less fortunate than you. And, of course, always, always be kind to children.

So, that’s it. I’ve just given you my best pitch. I know you will develop your own principles of living as the years roll by, but maybe something I’ve said will help you along your way. Be proud of yourselves. I sincerely applaud each and every one of you, and I wish that you all have magnificent and honorable lives.
  

Robert Rabbin, a San Francisco-based writer and speaker, is author of numerous books and articles and founder of Radical Sages: an evolution of spiritual action. Visit www.radicalsages.com