A Republic of One

"What you deny to others will be denied to you, for the plain reason that you are always legislating for yourself, all your words and actions define the world you want to live in."

-- Thaddeus Golas. The Lazy Man's Guide to Enlightenment

Why don't most televangelists get surfeits of hot sex? Because what they're attempting to deny to others, they're really denying to themselves. It's as simple as that. You get to make up the rules for your world, but only your world. You're the legislative branch of a republic of one.

If you go around bellyaching "Those damn rich people shouldn't have so much money," you're basically guaranteeing that you will never be rich. If you wail against the fame and social cache of sports stars, rock stars, and movie stars, you can pretty much bet stardom of any kind is not on your horizon.

But there are things going on in the world that are downright unfair, you say. And I might even agree with you. But unfairness is in the eye of the beholder. You want to live in a fair world, be prepared for it to be fair to you and you only. Personally, I think I'd rather live in a forgiving world, an abundant world, a loving world and a serendipitous world, rather than a fair world.

Believe in the so-called Law of Karma, and you'll see it in action everywhere. Believe in grace and you will live a grace-full existence.

It' really a beautiful system -- you get to define your own world, but only your world. It keeps you're attention where it belongs -- on your own life and out of everybody else's business!

Yeah, but all our worlds overlap, you say. True. That's what makes it so interesting. That's how we influence each other; that's how change happens. It happens through living as a beacon, as a shining example for all to see of how you want the world to be.

Change doesn't happen through legislation, whether it be of the political, religious or personal type. People don't change because you say they should or must. People change because they are inspired to do so. You'll have much more success changing the world through inspiration than through legislation. And your most powerful means of inspiration is not your opinions, your beliefs, or even your words, but your life.

Today's a great day to resign from the Universal Legislature and refocus on your own life. Live as you wish the world would live. Live by the principles that make your heart sing. Don't worry about others. They're busy creating their own worlds, whether they know it or not.

And so, damn -- I better take my own advice! Time to shut up. And soar on the wings of grace.