The Simple Truth
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.”
Many years ago, early in our marriage, I bought my husband a magnet with this quote. It’s very simple, but quite powerful at the same time. I loved it and I knew it spoke to where we were at the time. We were young and full of hopes, dreams and expectations of great things for our lives. Needless to say, it continues to speak to where we are. We understand now that you don’t ever outgrow or out-achieve the relevance of its meaning, since the journey of dreaming and living is a continuous one. Since then, Thomas and I collectively have purchased several knick knacks with this quote for both ourselves and others. I guess it’s become sort of a family mantra.
Well, while recently doing research for a writing project at work, I stumbled across Mr. Thoreau’s quote and noticed that a second line was added. Apparently, all my knick knacks didn’t have the quote in its entirety! I’m sure this was just the manufacturer’s way of saving space on small items like magnets and bookmarks, but I was a bit surprised that after all these years, I’ve only been getting only half the message. The entire quote actually reads:
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined. As you
simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler.” ~Henry David Thoreau
Again, simple, but powerful! When googling “laws of the universe,” many things popped up. Everything surfaced from the super scientific to the theological and astrological. When one search revealed a broad definition of the 7 Laws of the Universe, it said, “The best definition of Natural Law seems to be that it is the uniform and orderly method of the omnipotent God. Unlike any other form of animal life that has been created, we were given the power of choice or free will; along with this power came certain responsibilities.” After reading this and the complete definition of laws listed on the site, the truth became very clear and simple to me: 1. God has a natural order that our life should mimic, 2. We should trust that God knows and sees all, 3. We have the power to choose every moment and in every situation, and 4. With our choices, come responsibility and consequences (good or bad). Why do we make it so much more complicated?!
For me, as I leave one year and enter another, I desire more than anything, simplicity in my life as it relates to cleaning out the mental, material, and emotional clutter, trimming the physical and financial fat, focusing on the things that really matter and living the life I always imagined for myself and my family. This will allow me to go confidently in the direction of my dreams and actually live the purpose for which I was put on this earth. This may mean saying “no” more, putting my needs and the needs of my family first more, staying focused on the goal without distraction and it may even mean not attempting to be everything to everybody. It turns out that I’ve been making it much harder than it needs to be.
To all of you, I say simplify your life as well, so that the laws of your universe will also be simpler. It just shouldn’t be that complicated in 2012.
An abbreviated version of the 7 laws state:
- The Law of Perpetual Transmutation:The law of attraction will deliver to you what you do not want as quickly and as certainly as it will deliver what you do want.
- The Law of Relativity:In the study of this law, we find that all things are relative. All laws are related to each other and correspond with each other. The laws of the little are the laws of the great. There is no big nor small, fast nor slow, except by comparison. Whenever the law is properly used, you win. Let's remember that everyone does something better than you and, likewise, you do something better than every person you meet. When you relate something you do that you are not proficient at, to something another person does that they have mastered, you will not look good. You are using the law against yourself. Begin using this law to heighten your self esteem. You will then become aware of how special you are in the light of truth.
- The Law of Vibration and Attraction:Everything in the universe vibrates...nothing rests. We really do live in an ocean of motion. This truly contains the great secret of life. You are always moving toward something and it is always moving toward you... it's action and attraction. Thought is the most potent vibration and remember that you can think...that makes you a very special creation (God's greatest masterpiece). You should always be delighted with yourself. (All creation begins in thought.)
- The Law of Polarity:Everything in the universe has its opposite. There would be no inside to a room without an outside. If something you considered bad happens in your life, there has to be something good about it. If it was only a little bad, when you mentally work your way around to the other side, you will find it will only be a little good.
- The Law of Rhythm:The law of rhythm embodies the truth that everything is moving to and fro, flowing in and out, swinging backward and forward. There is a high and a low tide. Everything is flowing, both in and out, in accordance with the law. There is always a reaction to every action. You are not going to feel good all the time; No one does. If you did, you wouldn't even know it. The low feelings are what permit you to enjoy the high feelings. There will always be highs and lows in life. Reason gives us the ability to choose our thoughts (that is free will). Even when you are on a natural down swing, you can choose good thoughts with your free will and continue to move up toward your goal.
- The Law of Cause and Effect:Every cause has its effect; every effect, its cause. There is no such thing as chance. Everything happens according to law. Your physical health, your relationships, the respect you earn, your material income. You must concentrate on the cause, and the effect will automatically take care of itself. That is how the law works.
- The Law of Gender:The law of gender manifests in all things as masculine and feminine. It is this law that governs what we know as creation. This is in truth, the creative law. This law decrees everything in nature is both male and female. Both are required for life to exist. This law also decrees that all seeds (ideas are spiritual seeds) have a gestation or incubation period before they manifest. In other words, when you choose a goal or build the image in your mind, a definite period of time must elapse before that image manifests in physical results.
Ellena Balkcom is Founder and CEO of Written On Purpose Communications (writtenonpurpose.com), creator of the Voice I.D. System of Communication Branding and a former Walt Disney Company Communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in Marketing, Internal and External Communications. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter @WrittnOnPurpose.