Sunday, March 02, 2008

History Books Can Lift You To Be Serene Warrior Powered by Bliss

Ancient warriors were the most powerful, and as societies grew more complex, the warrior class either were at the top, such as Alexander the Great who overpowered Darius of Persia. Alexander had been trained by Aristotle to believe in God and a good life if one lived a good life. Since then, warriors have used their wits to find their ways to power. Such warriors rarely end their lives in a state of bliss or happiness.

It has been such a changed world since the English secret agent James Bond first opened at the cinemas in 1962 and we all lined up to see this exciting new old adventure. I recall it well. We had read of it first, that our inspiring new President, John F. Kennedy, had admitted, as only an offside in an interview, that at the moment his favorite bedtime reading was about James Bond. Again, a warrior, but one who playfully fought on the side of good over evil.

I and millions became eager to find out what inspired this great man, who was a true war hero himself, and his own life story was on the screen. So why would he need to admire James Bond? Aha, this was his other secret life. We all wanted in.

A World War Two heroic figure, admired by our heroic new President, was soon coming to the screen. He was apparently suave, licensed to kill, a lady killer, in behind enemy lines against impossible odds each time. And yet. This man who created James Bond had been James Bond, and he died soon into this series, and his words were carried forth by others, many times more.

President John Kennedy had made an instant hit of the book in an off hand remark to a reporter on what his latest bed time reading was. JFK mentioned how he was enjoying the wartime exploits of an English secret agent given the name James Bond.

The sensation that this created I recall well, which then soon created the movie that made an instant star out of Sean Connery.

And during that permissive age, with each movie, James became less forever with each diamond of a woman he met. Now, today your rather cavalier ways James, causes most of us to wince.

The issue now coming around after all those years of permissive self indulgence is now seen among our grand children. They curl their lips at such folly, and more likely enjoy an even balance, or where the right is more to the point, rather than the sexual dalliance.

And not so long after James Bond came the Beatles and meditation and the search for a deeper meaning to life. And many, including myself, have meditated while studying psychology and thriving in business until now, God willing.

And now studies by University of California have confirmed that there are eight common factors in those who live longest and report highest rates of personal contentment and a sense of satisfaction with their lives. This is science confirming ancient history wisdom.

The keys are

1-Count Your Blessings.
2-Acts of kindness, practice them.
3-Savor the Joys of Life.
4-Thank a Mentor.
5-Learn to Forgive.
6-Friends and family, keep them close.
7-Take Care of Your Body.
8-Develop Strategies to Cope with Stress, Hardships

So whether you behave like Alexander of Napoleon at times, allow these softer values to enter every pore of your being, until you Tarzan and you Amazon Jane still remember to show your godly examples: kittens, puppies and small children will be the first to notice.


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