Hi guys, we’re nearly done with the current series (and the group breathes a collective sigh of relief). I apologise if the last week(ish) of posts has seemed in any way self-indulgent; it wasn’t intended to be. I just felt that it was important for me to put on record ‘how I work’. I receive many emails from people who want to know how I personally live my life. Tomorrow will be the final in this (very sensible) series and then I promise I’ll do my very best to be irreverent, politically incorrect and completely offensive. People get offended anyway, so I may as well give them a reason! On with the show….
Principle 9: Generosity. Being generous simply means giving unconditionally; with no agenda, no self-serving strategy, no resentment and no hesitation. Despite conventional thinking, generosity doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with the giving of money or material gifts. Although it may. Some of the most generous people have little to give financially but they find a way to impact the lives of others and make people happy by giving of their time, skills, attention, energy and their selfless love. While it’s sensible and practical for us to have personal goals and a plan for our own lives (of course), it’s also imperative that we take time to invest in others and to regularly shift the focus from our own needs and wants to the needs of others. It’s important for us to step back from the small picture (our life) and soak in the big picture; humanity. Selfish people are miserable people.
*Note: Don’t confuse being generous with being used, abused, manipulated or controlled. I will never be a doormat, but I will be a strong, compassionate, generous person. Who periodically cries in stupid dog movies.
Principle 10. To laugh often. I love laughing. At almost anything. At school I got in trouble hundreds of times for laughing when I shouldn’t have. And yes, this was reflected in my report cards. “Craig has a propensity to be easily distracted and is not always a good influence on other students”. So not fair. I find some grown-ups to be boring, uninspiring and periodically, depressing. I have worked with (coached) many ‘successful’ people who haven’t laughed in years. What’s the point? When there’s no joy, there’s no life; just an existence.
Having visited some very poor cultures, I can tell you with some certainty that happiness and the ability to laugh is not dependant on one’s bank balance, marital status, body-weight, wardrobe or address. The happiest group of people I’ve ever spent time with live on a tiny Island called Espiritu Santo (an island of Vanuatu); no electricity, no television, no modernisation, very little money and not an i to be seen! Just a bunch of singing, clapping, laughing, three-stringed guitar playing, loving people. When we’re laughing, we’re happy. And when we’re happy our body is producing happy, healthy, healing hormones – so why wouldn’t we laugh? It’s good for our immune system (that’s a fact). When we’re laughing we’re fun to be around and we’re infinitely more attractive. Grumpy people; ugly. Physically, emotionally, mentally, socially and professionally, the benefits of laughing are numerous. When we were kids we laughed just because we could. It didn’t have to make sense. Sometimes we need less logic and maturity and more laughter.
Principle 11. To Maximise what I have. I’ve always been a person who wanted to get the most out of myself; my mind, my body, my potential, my relationships, my opportunities, my career, my spiritual life… all of it. I always say to my audiences, “I don’t care how much potential you have, I care how much of it you use”. It’s not about what you’ve got; it’s about what you do with what you’ve got. And the sad reality is that the vast majority of people never even scrape the surface of their potential or their possibilities. They spend the majority of their lives rationalising, justifying and explaining why they’re not doing the things they would, could and should. Always about to start, never actually doing. Keep in mind that there’s rarely a perfect time but there’s always a perfect attitude. I won’t die with my music still in me.
You?
* If you’re not sure how to leave a comment, click here.
See you on the morrow Groovers x
Love this article? Sign up for my FREE Email Newsletter today to receive more articles like this, and my FREE Ebook!
Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Craig,
I find generosity to be a very important principle. I don’t have a lot financially, but I love to help others where I can.
Laughing…..ooh I so love a good belly laugh. I can’t go a day without lots of laughing. Heaven knows I have had plenty of days where I didn’t think I could laugh but somehow someone made me laugh and it took me away from my troubles for a while and helped so much. (I often get a laugh from you Craig, so thanks for helping save my sanity!)
Maximising what I have…I am getting better with this one. I have far more faith in myself now, and feel I can tackle anything. I have a list of projects waiting for me and I am getting them done slowly….the biggest one at the moment being ME.
Hugs
Chelle xx
Self indulgent? You? Have I missed something?
Please keep the ‘you’ stories coming. I’m enjoying it. I’m laughing. I’m learning.
Lil miss ‘do-gooder’ here rarely ever got into trouble at school. But one of the times she did, it was for laughing. An uncontrollable laughing fit with a friend named Jasmine. There didn’t really have to be anything funny – we both just loved laughing. At each other maybe? Maybe they need to educate teachers on the benefits of laughter, Craig. Yes, OK, there is a time and place for it – I get that. Perhaps its not in the ‘formal’ classroom, hey? Hope you wont send me to Johnny’s office for laughing (excessively) at RYL, Craig! Will Johnny even have an office at RYL Anglesea? We can make one I guess?
Yep – be the best YOU can be. I love that one too. And be generous. It doesn’t cost a single cent to give of your time (unless you’re a HUGE sports ‘star’ earning $60 per second – whatever!) and love. One of my humanitarian goals is to go to Africa or somewhere and volunteer with Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders). I have a cousin (she’s a Doctor) who will be doing that this here with her husband (who also is a Doctor). All the best Kim and Wayne
Hi Craig,
Love the life lessons learning alot about you and how you work.
I can say you certainly are generous and that is helping me alot.
Thanks,
Jen
Hi Craig,
I love Principle 9: Generosity.
Just before Christmas, I was out and about when I received a call on my mobile. It was from a gardener who was finishing a job in the street next to my house. He had my puppy, Marley, with him who had evidently wriggled under the gate and had been bounding down the road with ‘naughty, escaped puppy’ written all over him. I couldn’t make it home before he had to leave for his next job so this lovely man went to my house, delivered the excited puppy to my back yard and secured the gate! He wouldn’t even accept a case of beer for his trouble. What a legend!
Generosity isn’t restricted to buying a badge on the special ‘days’ (although that’s also important), it can also be the daily acts of kindness which help us function as a community. I’m so glad you included generosity as a principle.
Laughter:
Somebody recently said about the actor Simon Baker, from ‘The Mentalist’ (who, incidently, I have a massive crush on so any photos of him to accompany your daily inspirations would be gratefully received – he beats torsoman hands down!):
“Like all good Australians, he takes the work seriously, but not himself.”
Having recently acquired a brother-in-law’s brother who is completely devoid of a sense of humour (yep, there’s nothing there, nothing)I’m reminded of the importance of a good laugh. Adults have a lot to learn from kids in that respect.
Principle 11: Maximise What I Have
I’m in heated agreement here, too. Sometimes, though, it takes a while to work out what your strengths are – often the characteristics that we are most criticised for (being too social, talkative, laughing in class?) are those which are our greatest assets. I would think that’s one reason why people who change careers a little later in life are often quite exceptional in their field.
Sorry, I’ve waffled on again.
Have a great Tuesday.
EG xxx
ps. I wouldn’t mind if you, or Jules, laughed in my class as long as you still get your work done, ok?
Good morning Mr Harper
I am happy! Yay! Im always happy but I get even happier when life is kind to me. Im really really happy because finally, life is somehow making some sense!
You definately cant buy happiness, health and vitality!
Happy days!
Thanks for sharing your principles of life, Craig. It hasn’t come across as remotely self-indulgent .. more like a mini inspirational book (the mini refers to the length, not the quality!). It’s brought the subject to the forefront of my mind. What principles do I truly live by? Sure, I can have a list of what I want to achieve, but what are my “rules” for the journey?
Having said that, I’m looking forward to a bit more silliness from you. I’m still in that ridiculously happy-for-no-reason, cheeky mood (actually planning on hanging onto it all year and beyond!). Seriously though, it’s been QUITE a while since we’ve had any fart jokes from you! And offensive? Well, do your best, sunshine……
Hi Craig
You have some great principles that you live by.
Generosity is a great trait, I also feel that you can't give away what you don't have. How can you love other people if you don't love yourself? You can give away a lot more as long as you take care of yourself.
Laughing is a wonderful thing. My young chidren spend a lot of their time laughing & giggling about nothing half the time and it really is infectious and fun. I grew up in a more serious household so I'm blessed that my children taught me how to laugh lots.
I think most people would like to maximise what they have even those that are rationalising, justifying etc. I spent a lot of my life going through the motions without goals, passion, excitement, etc. I wasn't aware that I could change my life and when I became aware I didn't know how to change my life etc. As EG mentioned sometimes it takes a while to work out what your strengths are. Some people are blessed with great childhoods & supportive parents however from my experience most people I have met have had tragedies & challenges to overcome. While some of these people have let their past go and have embraced a great life others are still figuring out how to change their life. That is why your site and others like it are so important to helping those that want to be helped. I feel we can all do with some compassion for other people and their circumstances.
Thanks
Anne
Hi Craig,
Great principals today! This series has been/is a great lesson for me! I definately have a fair few things to change in my journey to my best ‘me’!!
Thanks for sharing so much … do you think it’s a little strange how everyone is just so interested in your life?? It’s like we are at the zoo – for want of a better analogy – and we are all staring at the ‘Craig Harper Exhibit’.
‘… A large, two-legged mammal -alpha-male – who is opinionated, offensive and, yet, entertaining. Although harmless, he can be ferocious and is not adverse to telling you how it is! Don’t miss the 1pm show – Feeding Time!’
Have a great day … don’t let your handlers push you around!
Em
PS: Gotta disagree with EG … no-one beats Torsoman!! Now I have to go take another peek!!
Thanks for dropping by shrinking Chelle x
You may get sent to the bald bloke’s office Jules… ( )
You’re welcome Jen F ( )
Hello not-so-Anon
Glad you’re happy and good to hear life’s making sense. Have (1) you found happiness, (2) did it find you or (3) have you let go of what makes you unhappy?
( )
Thanks for dropping by and sharing Anne… nice. ( )
Hi Em from Jem
“we are all staring at the ‘Craig Harper Exhibit”
Now I feel like a freak.
( )
Hey Craig ! Here’s an equation for you…
My Dad = Generosity.
He had nothing… materially… but he would… and did… give away his last cent, his last crumb… and a lot of laughs and love. He died with nothing… nothing, that is, except for a very large family who were sooo much the richer for having had him. Rich in love and happiness and the warmth of his memory. He was the best.
{{HUG}} Tina
Craig – if the bald blokes office is the ropes course, you can send me there any time
EG – I better enrol myself in your ‘selective’ school for Term 1? Any places left? I always get my work done… just don’t expect you’ll get it two weeks early. I’m a procrastinator. You can expect distinction quality work though when it does arrive in your pigeon hole. I’m a perfectionist.
Em – we could all go on an RYL excursion to the ‘zoo’! Actually, it’s called RYL Anglesea in May. You coming? We had better keep away from the big bloke with short hair and big biceps though during feeding time. He could bite if he doesn’t get enough of his favourite food(s) – baked cheesecake and gingerbread men
He doesn’t like sharing though. You were talking about generosity, Craig? What ever happened to sharing your cheesecake?