The featured contributor for the week of April 20th, 2009 is Toni Leathers:
toni leathers is a creative professional who is averse to following the crowd.
Here are Toni's "Five Rules For Life":
1.) Become a life-long learner.
Commit to the process of constant learning and change. Be humble enough to acknowledge your own weaknesses, and be flexible enough to adapt from what you may be accustomed to - otherwise it will deny you the freedom of new possibilities.
2.) The grass is not always greener.
The other side of the hill may appear to be greener than your own, but being there is not the key to happiness. Be grateful for and enjoy the things you have, the people in your life, and where you are on your journey. Appreciate the abundance of good things you have, rather than measure and stockpile all the things you don't have.
3.) Don't allow yourself to be chained by possessions.
The world is filled with stuff. Don't let it get in the way of what is really important to you. When you become chained to stuff, you are no longer leading your life. If you had to give up 90% of your possessions tomorrow to pursue your dream, could you do it effortlessly? If you hesitated, your ability to lead your own life has been weakened by your attachment and attainment of things.
4.) Travel.
At least once a year, try to go someplace you've never been before. Experiences shape you as a person, so open your mind to new cultures and adventures. You only have one life so live it to the fullest.
5.) Know when to move on.
After you've hit the point of diminishing return, the energy you put in is more than what you get out. Whether it's from jobs, relationships, friendships, or hobbies - don't wait until things get stale; by then you've waited too long.
...editor's note - Toni provided a sixth rule:
6.) Success in life.
Judge your success by what you gave up. If becoming successful meant destroying relationships (personal and/or professional) along the way, the success isn't justified. Live a good, honorable life so when you get older you can look back and enjoy it all a second time.
Toni currently resides in Arlington, Texas
Check back next week for a new Featured "Five Rules" of the Week.
And check out the new compilation post - "Five Rules For Life" - editor's choice.
______________________________
