It’s what you do that makes your soul. — Animal Dreams, Barbara Kingsolver (1955-) Author
Adding a Risible quality to your repertoire greatly increases the depth and breadth of your soul creation. Your unique Soulful nature is a key ingredient in your attraction to others.
Peace,
Jim
            RISIBLE
Definitions: (1) able or inclined to laugh; (2) causing laughter; sunny; amusing
Saying: Laughter is the music of grace.
Quotes:

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities. — Jean Houston (1937 – ) American Spiritual Teacher

If you’re going to be able to look back on something and laugh about it, you might as well laugh about it now. — Marie Osmond (1959 – ) American Singer

A smile costs nothing but its value is priceless. It enriches the one who gives it, yet does not impoverish them. It happens in a flash but the memories may last for days. No one is so rich that they can get along without it. A smile generates happiness in the home and goodwill in the business. . . . If you meet an acquaintance or a friend who is too busy to give you a smile leave one of yours. No one needs a smile so much as the person who has none to give. — Anonymous

             SOULFUL
Definitions: (1) full of or expressive of emotion or deep feeling <All were moved by the artist’s soulful rendition.>; (2) possessing positive qualities; the embodiment of a quality <Brevity is the soul of wit.>; (3) having spiritual or emotional warmth, power, or understanding
Quotes:

If the head and the body are to be well, you must begin by curing the soul. — Plato (c. 4^th Century bc) Greek Philosopher

What shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul? — Jesus of Nazareth (7 bc-30 ad) The Bible, Matthew 16:26

If the soul could have known God without the world, the world would never have been created. — Meister Eckhart [born Eckhart von Hochheim] (c.1260-1328) German Theologian

The soul is the self‑reflective, truth‑discerning, and spirit‑perceiving part of man which forever elevates the human being above the level of the animal world. — Jesus of Nazareth (7 bc-30 ad) The Urantia Book (133:6.5)

If you would have the message of the gods to direct your life, look for that which repeats. . . . It comes again and again until you have made it part of your soul and your enduring spirit. — Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930-1999) The Mists of Avalon

Comments:
• Remember your belongings are just stuff; material possessions belong to Mother Earth. You are really made of your spiritual qualities, your soul.
• The tools used to build your soul are:
1. Event – may be external or internal
2. Evaluation/reaction – based on your mind frame and soul characteristics to date
3. Choice
4. Action
5. Experience
6. Assimilation
7. Growth
Observation: Human beings, in a structural sense, are made up of five components: body, mind, spirit, personality, and soul. Enlightenment is a balanced integration of positive qualities into each of these aspects.
Advice: If a person is considered the embodiment of a quality or attribute, i.e., “the soul of generosity,” emulate him or her.
Symbols: 1) birds; 2) a well; 3) the foot; 4) a garden; 5) the tunic; 6) the gazelle; 7) the number six; 8) the hawk (Egyptian); 9) a butterfly [attraction to light]
Mythological Figure: Psyche is the Personification of the Soul. Psyche was so lovely that the jealous Venus asked Cupid to destroy her; but Cupid fell in love with her instead. — Lucius Apuleius (c. 125 -180) Latin Writer
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
As the twig is bent, so grows the tree. — Animal Dreams, Barbara Kingsolver (1955-) Author
Decide what is Splendid and of supreme value. Then hold on to it with Durable stubbornness. These values will then become the solid foundation in your ever changing life experiences.
Peace,
Jim
            SPLENDID
Definitions: (1) inspiringly valiant; illustrious of heroic imagination; famous; celebrated; distinguished; (2) exceptionally good; very fine; excellent; (3) sumptuously grand < a splendid idea>; imposing
Synonyms: brilliant, glorious, magnificent
Color: violet
            DURABLE
Definitions: (1) lasting in spite of hard wear; enduring; (2) capable of continual or frequent use; stable
Synonym: permanent
Comment: One of the reasons people live to a ripe old age is their ability to take things in stride. Let difficulty roll off of your thick skin. Accept the scrapes, do what you can about them, and then let them go.
Consider the Source

As Sir Edmond Burke once observed, this country’s founders were always ready to “snuff out the approach of tyranny with every tainted brief.” And yet, it seems we are now resigned to live subject to the vast, multi-layered, and robust surveillance infrastructure that is the envy of every totalitarian regime? We can no longer trust the companies that build and manage our internet infrastructure, the companies that create and sell us our hardware and software, or the companies that host our data. And, our integrity challenged government is hell-bent on betraying every trust.
Now, more than ever, we need ethical stewards. It is time to purge those executive, legislative, and judicial bodies that have become infested with the kind of self-serving parasites that can only thrive in the decay products of democracy. Since our constitution has apparently been reconstituted by these “representatives” to serve as their own bureaucratic toilet paper, I think we should respond by recommissioning the old style, mechanical voting machines. Sure, the paper based audit trail has clear value. But the imagery, the ability to pull the handle and flush, now that’s priceless! — Robert H. Kalk

Dear Folks,
A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil, harmonious home.
Be gentle with the earth.
— Author Unknown (Internet Wisdom, 1998)
I hope you have a sweet loved one you can Sooth (& be soothed by) and Snuggle.
The physical and emotional connection between couples is fundamental to the mental and spiritual connections.
Peace,
Jim
            SOOTHING
Definitions: (1) restored to a quiet, calm, or normal state; (2) mitigate, soften, or relieve <as pain or grief>; (3) gratifying; pleasing <soothing clarinet>
Synonyms: allaying, appeasing, assuaging, composed, pacifying
Colors: blue, violet
            SNUGLY
Definition: comfortably close and safe <especially of a loved one>; characterizes one who cuddles with affection; cozy
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
He who attains his ideal, by that very fact transcends it. — Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche (1844-1900) Philosopher
Mental preparation precedes action. In order to be Expeditious, either in an instant or in a planned project, one must give some thought to the nature of the steps to take, store them in the mind, and then when it is time, bring them back to conscious Awareness. Even a spontaneous action is based on our mental, emotional, and spiritual foundations.
Peace,
Jim
          EXPEDITIOUS
Definition: done with prompt efficiency; speedy; quick
Derivation: Latin, “ready for action”
Balancing Quality: inventive
How to Live This Quality Today: Set yourself a job. Figure out how long it would normally take, and then do it in less time, while still doing it professionally.
            AWARE      
Definitions: (1) having knowledge or realization; conscious; cognizant; (2) informed; alert; (3) keenly perceptive
Synonyms: acquainted, apprised, sensible
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
Life has a value only when it has something valuable as its object. — Georg W. H. Hegel (1770-1831) Philosopher
A healthy mind cannot be Shipshape without continually Stretching it’s limits. A stagnant mind is a dying mind. Hopefully your rut is not so deep as to need a ladder to climb out of, but make the effort of discovering, learning, and growing in an interesting and new direction.
Peace,
Jim
            SHIPSHAPE
Definition: in good order; tidy; trim
            STRETCHING
Definitions: (1) expanding; reaching <stretching the limits of imagination>; (2) opening the mind beyond its previous boundaries <resulting in new extents>; (3) elongating something that has the ability to return to its original shape; (4) going beyond an original ability <usually with effort>; (5) extending over a distance <stretching your thoughts even to the heavens>
Quote:
Man’s mind stretched to a new idea never goes back to its original dimension.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) American Physician and Author
Consider the Source

These hummingbird favorites are easy to plant and they will animate your garden in the most delightful way.

Agastache: Quickly becoming a summer favorite, this perennial has fragrant foliage and spiky flowers of pink, purple, blue, red and orange.

Hollyhock: Plant these and you’ll have sensational spires of flowers. A classic cottage garden plant that’s very easy to grow.

Alstroemeria: A favorite cut flower because they last so long. Lots of colors and plants of different sizes. Leave some for the hummingbirds!

Milkweed: Colorful and easy to grow. Yellow and orange/red are most popular. You’ll get lots of butterfly visitors, too.

Lion’s tail: Tall spikes of orange flowers appear on this shrubby perennial. Easy to grow.

Salvia: Lots of choices — all with colorful flowers. Many with richly fragrant foliage.

Pyrostegia: You’ll have cascades of orange flowers blooming fall through winter. Sometimes called flame vine.

Abutilon: Flowering maples produce beautiful bells of red, yellow, white, salmon and pink. They tolerate some shade.

Butterfly bush: Spectacular spikes of purple, pink, white and lavender. Cut back after blooming to get more blossoms. Of course butterflies love this shrub too. Plant the new dwarf forms if you have a small space.

Hibiscus: A favorite shrub in San Diego. Gorgeous, shiny, evergreen foliage and stunning flowers in warm weather. ‘Tradewinds’ is a new dwarf shrub reaching only 3 feet in height.

Lantana: So many colors, so many forms—from low, trailing types to small rounded shrubs. So easy to grow, too. Cut it back every winter to keep it clean and tidy.

Lavender: Take your pick; they’re all good. Fernleaf, Spanish and French lavenders bloom almost year-round.

Leucophyllum: Texas ranger, an evergreen shrub, has gorgeous silver foliage and violet or magenta flowers. If it begins to look a little rangy, cut it almost to the ground.

Rosemary: Bulletproof plants that trail, mound or grow upright, depending on the variety. You must let them bloom if you want hummingbird visits.

Trumpet vine: Included here are blood-red, vanilla, and royal trumpet vines—three different species of distictis. All have glorious trumpet flowers on beautiful, rich green foliage.

Dear Folks,
John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success (1910 – 2010) American Basketball Coach
• 6^th Level : Industrious; Friendship; Loyalty; Cooperation; Enthusiasm
• 5^th Level : Self-control; Alertness; Initiative; Intentness
• 4^th Level : Conditioning; Skill; Team Spirit
• 3^rd Level : Poise; Confidence
• 2^nd Level : Faith; Competitive Greatness; Patience
• 1^st Level : Success
It is not obvious to an immature person how they are Special in a good and unique way. Instead they think of their difference as being a drawback. Once we begin to celebrate our special personalities we get the point that our distinctive physical features are only skin deep; that our emotional proclivities can be modified; and that our intellectual boundaries can be breached. But most of all we begin to learn how to grow our soul. The most Straightforward and successful method is through the acquisition of values.
Peace,
Jim
            SPECIAL
Definitions: (1) possessing extraordinary or uncommon characteristics; exceptional; unique; (2) particularly valued <a special friend>; (3) appropriate; proper
See also: Important
Synonyms: distinctive, distinguished, individualistic
            STRAIGHTFORWARD
Definition: possessing undeviating rectitude; upright; honest; open; frank; candid
Quote:
You can run faster if you don’t run into walls. — Jerry Downs (1949 – ) American Sage
Symbol: a straight line
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve but a reality to experience. — Dune, Frank Patrick Herbert (1920-1986) Author
Many qualities are multidimensional; that is, able to be expressed on the physical, mental, and/or spiritual levels. But no matter on which level they appear, they also move comfortably within the other two. Your body may no longer be Svelte but your mind and soul can be. Your mood may not be Jolly at this moment, but your heart can still feel the joy of life.
Peace,
Jim
            JOLLY
Definitions: (1) full of life and mirth; jovial; lively; (2) expressing, inspiring, or exciting frivolity and gaiety; (3) cheerfully festive; (4) delightful; charming
Synonyms: gay, joyous, merry, sportive, sprightly
            SVELTE
Definition: slender and graceful; lithe; possessing clean lines; sleek
Consider the Source

Dear Folks,
We focus on those things that support our reality. — Morgan Leigh
There are many aspects of a balanced personality. If one is naturally (or temporarily) High-spirited, a grounding element would be advisable. Being Matter-of-fact would do nicely.
Peace,
Jim
            HIGH‑SPIRITED
Definition: full of natural fire; vivacious; boldly courageous; noble; mettlesome
            MATTER-OF-FACT

Definitions: (1) true to the unembellished facts; literal; straightforward; (2) real
Balancing Qualities: honest, tactful
Consider the Source