10 Rules (Laws) to Live By

Dear friends,

I didn't plan on writing a LinkedIn article today... or this week... or even this month primarily because I just committed to writing my second book and having it available on Amazon by December 17th so that people can order for holiday gifts on Prime. And yet, here I am writing this article!

As I was driving back home tonight a song was suggested by Spotify and the name of both the song and the artist intrigued me - 10 Laws by East Forest. As I listened I became captivated! Over the sounds of nature and delicate music, the voice of a deep man, perhaps a wise Indian Chief, clearly and calmly states his 10 Laws to live by. At first they may sound like tips for someone who's spending an extended period of time in nature, like a Boy Scout. However the more I listened, the more I heard a deeper meaning.

"Always be ready for cold."

I'll be the first one to tell you I think a staple of any packed bag should be sweatpants and a sweatshirt - even if you're going somewhere tropical (the airport, buses, hotel rooms, high elevations, unexpected cold fronts... you never know!).

But what if... he's not just speaking about temperature here. What if the wisdom he's sharing is always to be ready for a cold season in your life, that looks like challenge and hardship. What if the real lesson is always be prepared for things to not go the way you plan, and to know that in the cycle of nature winters occur. Recently the wisdom was shared with me by one of my mentors that winter will always return, and what matters is our relationship to "winters" in our life - is it a time of isolation and suffering, or celebration of new comings and gathering with community?

So the song got me thinking...what are my 10 Laws? What do I want to live by? The reality is my 10 Laws for life have changed drastically throughout my life, and I'm guessing they will continue to as part of my path of growth. So it's a question I hope to revisit, and could see the cadence being once a year as the new year approaches.

As I began to consider what my current 10 Laws actually ARE (by virtue of my actions) and what I would LIKE my 10 Laws to BE it brought me back to a question I had been asked over a year and a half ago when I attended my first immersion with Abundant. That question was what are your current values, and what would you like your values to be. I had always gotten stuck on that question... like I don't know? Truth? Love? Honesty? Family? those sound good...? However, this activity of creating 10 Laws for myself completely opened my mind and heart to the process. Just as I wrote what felt like "OK that's the last one" I realized I had exactly 10! Just like the song! And as he referenced in the song the amount of fingers on my hands.

So here are what I am claiming my 10 Laws to be as this point moving forward (until next time)... I'm curious, what are yours? (share in the comments below!)

1. Always be ready for heat and cold.
2. Always leave things better than you found them (thank you, Ben).
3. Always remember who you are, what your truth is, why you're here, and where you came from.
4. Always follow your North Star.
5. Always speak the truth.
6. Always do what is needed.
7. Always listen (to yourself, to the field, to what is true).
8. Always be open to receiving leadership.
9. Always be attune to the gifts in the moment, remember you are exactly where you need to be on your journey.
10. Always love.

Peace, Love & Avocados for all

Janine