Tolstoy's Life Lessons

I recently finished reading Calendar of Wisdom by Leo Tolstoy. I feel that he points out and outlines many of life's lessons and wanted to share them.

In Tolstoy's diary he wrote, " I became more & more astonished by the ignorance, and especially the cultural moral ignorance of our society....All our education should be directed to the accumulation of the cultural heritage of our ancestors, the best thinkers in the world"

Too often today we experience just the opposite. The media bombards us daily with heartbreak, misery and cynicism. Much of what we read is depressing, even rattling. I tire of hearing about wild-eyed terrorists, drug-addled celebrities, ethically challenged businessmen, and crooked politicians.

The theme of Tolstoy's book, Calendar of Wisdom: We are here for a short time. Knowledge is limitless. Therefore, the most critical knowledge is not a particular skill or discipline but rather wisdom about "How to Live"

A summary of Tolstoy's thoughts....

*There are only two ways to live: Either without thinking of death or with the thought that you approach death with every hour of your life.

*Don't compare yourself with others. Compare yourself with only perfection.

*It is not the place we occupy that is important, but the direction in which we move.

*When you want to escape from rage; do not walk, do not move, do not speak. Your rage cannot be justified by anything. The reason for your rage is always inside you.

*Speak only when your words are better than silence. For every time you regret that you did not say something, you will regret a hundred times that you did not keep your silence.

*You do not have the right to be unhappy with your life. If you are not satisfied, see this as a reason to be unsatisfied with yourself.

*The more strictly and mercilessly you judge yourself, the more just and kind you will be in the judgment of others.

*Strive for goodness without any expectations for rapid or noticeable success. For the further you progress, the higher your ideal of perfection will rise. Yet, it is the process itself, this striving, that justifies our lives.

I hope you find the wisdom and refreshing spirit that I did. I feel that it all boils down to the basics. Love Life!!! Live Life!!! The challenges that come our way are only opportunities for us to grow & become better. Life is about family, friends, and the experiences that we all have with each other. When things go wrong, it is our family and friends that we can always rely on.