“If none of your role models provide the answer, then it is time to go within and ask yourself, "What would make me happy?" In other words, let your feelings guide you. This doesn't work well if you focus narrowly on your personal needs. I am not talking about selfishness or self-interest. When I ask, What will make you happy?, I mean, What way of loving others feels right for you? Choose a way of loving that makes you happy, and your efforts will be play rather than work.” IfsWayNeedsFeelsWellsMeanSelfPlayFeelingsAsksInterestAnswersEffortTalkingRolesFocusModelsGuidesSelfishnessRole ModelsYou ChooseSelf InterestMake You HappyMake Me HappyNot TalkingFeels RightLoving OthersPersonal Needs Author:Bernie Siegel
“To me, God is an intelligent, loving, conscious energy and why do I say that? Well you need energy to create. You have to have a source. It's undifferentiated energy which has intelligence or it couldn't create.” NeedsWellsEnergySourceConsciousIntelligent Author:Bernie Siegel
“Some spiritual traditions view the moment of birth as a passage from a state of wholeness and knowledge to a state of forgetting. In this view of the world, we spend the rest of our lives searching for wholeness and knowledge, wellness and health-the balance and harmony we lost when we were born. If our wholeness is interrupted, then our health suffers, and we need to find a way to restore our sense of meaning. When we move in the direction of that meaning, we're healing.” IfsWorldWayNeedsStatesMomentsSpiritualMovingSufferingLostBornForgetViewsHealingOur LivesBirthBalanceTraditionHarmonyWellnessPassagesWholenessInterruptedBalance And Harmony Author:Bernie Siegel
“Being a survivor doesn't mean being strong - it's telling people when you need a meal or a ride, company, whatever. It's paying attention to heart wisdom, feelings, not living a role, but having a unique, authentic life, having something to contribute, finding time to love and laugh. All these things are qualities of survivors.” PeopleNeedsHeartMeanFeelingsStrongAttentionQualityCompanyRolesLaughingFindingsUniquePay AttentionMealsSurvivorAuthentic Life Author:Bernie Siegel
“Do not be afraid to love. Remember dear old Don Quixote, viewing the world with love. He saw many beautiful things no one else saw. Try being dear Don Quixote for a day. You'll see that love improves your vision and allows you to see more than your eye has ever seen before. But be forewarned: Those who look on the world with love will need a handkerchief, not to use as a blindfold, but to blow their nose and dry their tears.” WorldLoveNeedsTryingLooksUseEyeBeautifulRememberVisionSawsTearsDearBlowNosesDryBeautiful ThingsHandkerchiefsAfraid To LoveBlindfoldsForewarned Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life Source: Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
“I once heard a man say he knew there was a God, he just didn't think he needed Him. It is nice to take care of yourself and be independent, but it is also nice to know that you have a resource to rely on in times of need. If you are used to fending entirely for yourself, then when a catastrophe occurs you will expend a lot of energy looking for help at a time when you need your energy looking for help at a time when you need your energy for creative work.” IfsThinkingKnowsMenNeedsGodHelpingCareUsedEnergyCreativeNiceHeardNeededResourcesIndependentTake CareRelyCatastropheCreative WorkTake Care Of YourselfTime Of NeedLooking For Help Author:Bernie Siegel
“You may have heard about living today, tomorrow, or "tonow." Tonow, children tell us, is a gift, which is why we call it "the present." Children understand that tonow is the place to live. The present is really the only moment we have. Sure, bad things can happen in the tonow. But when bad things happen to children, they show us the way again, because they know how to be in touch with their feelings and needs.” KnowsWayNeedsMayChildrenMomentsShowsFeelingsHappensTodayKnow HowHeardTomorrowThings HappenBad ThingsPlaces To LiveBad Things HappenWhen Bad Things Happen Author:Bernie Siegel
“Remember this: Now is the only time you have. When God created the universe, it was now. You can't say to creation and energy, "I'll do it later, not now." Later doesn't exist. Creation doesn't know anything but now. Whenever you get around to doing what you want to do, it will be now. The things you need to do to live a happier, more fulfilling life-the only time you can possible start doing them is now.” KnowsWantNeedsRememberUniverseEnergyCreationWhat You WantFulfillingOnly TimeFulfilling LifeDoing What You Want Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life Source: Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
“Bobby and I were married in 1954 and by now we know that anger does not mean "I don't love you" or "I want a divorce." It means, "I am wounded and in need of love, and I feel safe telling you about it because you are my family." Sometimes our behavior with each other is no different from the cry of an unattended baby.” KnowsWantNeedsFeelsMeanDoeDifferentSometimesLove YouCryBabySafeBehaviorMarriedMy FamilyAngerDivorceWoundedI Don't Love You Author:Bernie Siegel
“If nothing has helped you decide, go ask a child. Children know what they need, and more surprisingly, the know what we need. Adults think. Kids respond with their feelings. They don't think about what you will think of their answer, so they just speak the truth-if you can get to them before junior high school age. At that time, they grow up, stop feeling loved, become depressed and start thinking-and what they are thinking about worries me.” IfsThinkingKnowsNeedsChildrenFeelingsKidsAgeSchoolAsksSpeakGrowsAnswersWorryGrowing UpHigh SchoolAdultsJuniorsSpeak The TruthJunior HighHigh School Junior Author:Bernie Siegel
“It's hard to carry a child around with you, but fortunately, in most cases, you don't have to ask a child for directions if you have a well-chosen role model ready to guide you. This is the next prescription: Take one role model, as often as needed. Set aside a few minutes today to fill this prescription so you will have it handy when you need it. Think now about who your role models have been. What do they offer? Who else do you admire, and exactly what do you admire about them? Have your roster of role models ready and waiting to help you the next time you are perplexed.” IfsThinkingNeedsWellsChildrenHas BeensHardHelpingTodayNextAsksWaitingRolesCasesMinutesReadyNeededOffersModelsGuidesChosenAdmireRole ModelsNext TimePrescriptionsHandyRutsPerplexedRosters Author:Bernie Siegel
