What is a Codex Vitae?
Codex Vitae is a self-development framework (also called a Book of Life). The rule is quite simple. Write down your beliefs. Make it a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly habit. Soon, your life will be more align with your worldview (a.k.a belief). You will be happier.
My Codex Vitae, by Marsha Marie
My beliefs about….
Me:
Advertisements work on me. Always have. Always will.
I am a work-a-holic, and embrace it.
I have too many questions in life, again embracing it.
I am too plump.
Chocolate cupcakes are my kryptonite.
I make lots of mistakes, but I always admit them.
I hate lying; and I refuse to do it for anybody.
Meditation has changed my life.
I’m ashamed of not caring enough about others around me.
I want to run and hide in a mountain to meditate for a year, but in all honesty, I would probably go crazy after a month.
Humans:
People are inherently good. Bad actions come from bad situations.
People around the world are very similar while being very different. For example: we all want love, resources, and to be heard.
Politics:
Politics drive me crazy.
I don’t trust anyone in politics.
Society:
Domestic violence, rape and molestation is never justifiable or acceptable; it's a choice that results in devastating consequences.
We need to change the way society thinks about domestic violence in order to stop it.
I think society--as a whole--has lost its way. Luckily I have put my trust in Christ.
I think it will take a major act of God or alien to bring us together as one.
Get a passport. Traveling the world is the best way to expand your mind.
Alcohol should be banned; it destroys so many more lives than cannabis.
TV is a brainwashing tool---that is why I do not own one; I choose what I want to see and hear.
Science:
Science is a two-edged sword.
Science confuses and impresses me at the same time.
On the one hand, it saves men.
But then as a result, there are now too many humans on the planet
and yet they say increased population is destroying it. (See? Confusing.)
The qwerty-keyboard is the greatest invention ……ever!
The Universe:
It’s pretty-fricken-awesome!
I'm still confused as to why the Earth has sunlight, but it’s dark in space. (I should study more science.)
The universe is still not big enough, sometimes.
Perception:
What a person believes has more factors than 10 to the power of 37.
Accept the fact that everyone has it’s own internal thermometer, and you will be more compassionate to others’ feelings.
A black eye is not the only evidence of domestic violence; so please learn the signs.
Privilege:
I am privileged because........
I understand and accept the Gospel.
Of my blue eyes.
I am woman; thus, I am the lesser of two evils.
I’m a native-English-speaker.
I am allowed to drive.
I can put my thoughts on paper.
I can walk, see, and talk.
I can still learn.
Humans are privileged because........
They can think and feel.
They can control most creatures; except roaches.
They can create a written record.
Principles:
Try to be someone's hero every day.
Never lie.
Don’t deceive.
Never touch anything that doesn’t belong to you.
Always be there for your children.
It’s never too late to try.
Mental Health:
Mental health services should be free for everyone---not just the rich.
Life Skills and concentration skills should also be part of rehabilitation in prisons and correctional facilities everywhere.
Always try to avoid social comparison — it is a common root of unhappiness and poor decisions.
Practice gratitude.
Every day share two good things with somebody.
Every year gather 52 experiences to be grateful for.
Productivity:
Shut the TV off! Turn the radio on.
Set goals!
Keep a daily diary and hold yourself accountable..
Stay focused; you have at least 100 books inside of you dying to get out.
Write down your ideas so you do not forget them.
Hope and Desires:
I want all of my belongings to fit in a single room.
I want a kitchen that cleans itself.
I want to continue learning.
I want an oven like the one in the Jetson's cartoon
—I really hate cooking, but wrote a cookbook anyway......go figure..
Clothes:
Never wear socks unless you are running a fever.
Have a personal uniform; mine is a black skirt and different colored shirt. Keep 120 shirts in stock and rotate them each laundry day
(it keeps me unpredictable to the rest of the world).
Style theory: dress conservative---always.
Only buy clothes that you love. That means they fit, look good and you have a plan for wearing. No need for wishful thinking when shopping.
Goodwill is a gold-mine for conservative-style clothing.
Books:
Holy Bible, for obvious reasons.
Bangles: My True Story of Escape, Adventure and Forgiveness, by me. It reminds me of how far I have come.
Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book gave me permission to be me; no need to be perfect.
Food:
You can never relive your childhood, so make sure to write down all your favorites recipes from your mom and grandma while you can.
Best Pakistani Dish: Alloo Pallak
Best Breakfast: prata, chai and chutney in Kalu Kalan, Pakistan
Best Sushi: Ewwwww…..nowhere!
Best Pizza: Pizzeria, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Best Burrito: Any Taco Bell, burrito supreme.
Best French Fries: at Volcano in Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain, UAE.
Best fast food: A veggi swarma, in Al Ain, UAE.
Writing:
Know why you are writing.
For the first draft focus on getting your thoughts out of your head. Just write and don’t let your fingers stop moving. The result will always be a crappy, but expect that.
The second draft is for articulation of thought. Start from scratch and rewrite the best parts of the first draft in a form that people could understand.
The third draft is for positioning. Consider what purpose or impact you want. This is the draft where you delete half of what you’ve already written.
The fourth draft is for polish. Specifically look for the phrase “I think” and for ambiguous pronouns.
The fifth draft is just rewriting the title until you think people will read it.
Predictions:
I really don’t have the foggiest. I just live one day at a time right now.
Family:
Family is forever, which makes investing in them now so worthwhile. Quite often, you’ll have decades to reap the rewards.
Always kiss babies.
Friends:
Friendship springs from two sources, shared experience and natural chemistry. Watch for the chemistry and bet on it, because chemistry is forever.
Know who your close friends are and invest in them.
My Anxieties, Worries, and Fears:
Heart attack.
Going bald.
Going blind.
Losing recognition of my own children.
Not recognizing the Mark of the Beast
Abode:
Live in something that is small and perfect for you.
Live within your means.
Money:
Don’t cry over money; it doesn’t even know who you are.
Debt is modern day slavery; Dave Ramsey is right about almost everything,,,, listen to him and apply his advice.
Career:
If you hate going to work every day, it is time to seek change.
Don’t do something you hate just for the salary; it will not be worth it in the end.
Be the best that you can be; someone that matters will notice.
Learning:
Learn something about life from everyone you get to meet. If it is not obvious, look for it.
Everyone has a right to education.
Consider homeschooling your children. They deserve your love and attention.
Professionals aren't scared of sharing knowledge.
Literacy changes lives; get involved somehow.
Spend at least 20 minutes a day on personal development.
Never stop!!
Things I No Longer Believe in:
True love.
The old saying: “Mother knows best.”
Aspirations:
Always order a water instead of soda.
Have a default breakfast. (For me, one packet of oatmeal is perfect, with ice water and coffee.)
Experience living in the present.
Find a better solution to social anxiety than achievement and eating.
Learn to give compassionate feedback.
Again, keep a personal list of goals and work on them every single day until you die. But keep in mind the Bible says: Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Me:
Advertisements work on me. Always have. Always will.
I am a work-a-holic, and embrace it.
I have too many questions in life, again embracing it.
I am too plump.
Chocolate cupcakes are my kryptonite.
I make lots of mistakes, but I always admit them.
I hate lying; and I refuse to do it for anybody.
Meditation has changed my life.
I’m ashamed of not caring enough about others around me.
I want to run and hide in a mountain to meditate for a year, but in all honesty, I would probably go crazy after a month.
Humans:
People are inherently good. Bad actions come from bad situations.
People around the world are very similar while being very different. For example: we all want love, resources, and to be heard.
Politics:
Politics drive me crazy.
I don’t trust anyone in politics.
Society:
Domestic violence, rape and molestation is never justifiable or acceptable; it's a choice that results in devastating consequences.
We need to change the way society thinks about domestic violence in order to stop it.
I think society--as a whole--has lost its way. Luckily I have put my trust in Christ.
I think it will take a major act of God or alien to bring us together as one.
Get a passport. Traveling the world is the best way to expand your mind.
Alcohol should be banned; it destroys so many more lives than cannabis.
TV is a brainwashing tool---that is why I do not own one; I choose what I want to see and hear.
Science:
Science is a two-edged sword.
Science confuses and impresses me at the same time.
On the one hand, it saves men.
But then as a result, there are now too many humans on the planet
and yet they say increased population is destroying it. (See? Confusing.)
The qwerty-keyboard is the greatest invention ……ever!
The Universe:
It’s pretty-fricken-awesome!
I'm still confused as to why the Earth has sunlight, but it’s dark in space. (I should study more science.)
The universe is still not big enough, sometimes.
Perception:
What a person believes has more factors than 10 to the power of 37.
Accept the fact that everyone has it’s own internal thermometer, and you will be more compassionate to others’ feelings.
A black eye is not the only evidence of domestic violence; so please learn the signs.
Privilege:
I am privileged because........
I understand and accept the Gospel.
Of my blue eyes.
I am woman; thus, I am the lesser of two evils.
I’m a native-English-speaker.
I am allowed to drive.
I can put my thoughts on paper.
I can walk, see, and talk.
I can still learn.
Humans are privileged because........
They can think and feel.
They can control most creatures; except roaches.
They can create a written record.
Principles:
Try to be someone's hero every day.
Never lie.
Don’t deceive.
Never touch anything that doesn’t belong to you.
Always be there for your children.
It’s never too late to try.
Mental Health:
Mental health services should be free for everyone---not just the rich.
Life Skills and concentration skills should also be part of rehabilitation in prisons and correctional facilities everywhere.
Always try to avoid social comparison — it is a common root of unhappiness and poor decisions.
Practice gratitude.
Every day share two good things with somebody.
Every year gather 52 experiences to be grateful for.
Productivity:
Shut the TV off! Turn the radio on.
Set goals!
Keep a daily diary and hold yourself accountable..
Stay focused; you have at least 100 books inside of you dying to get out.
Write down your ideas so you do not forget them.
Hope and Desires:
I want all of my belongings to fit in a single room.
I want a kitchen that cleans itself.
I want to continue learning.
I want an oven like the one in the Jetson's cartoon
—I really hate cooking, but wrote a cookbook anyway......go figure..
Clothes:
Never wear socks unless you are running a fever.
Have a personal uniform; mine is a black skirt and different colored shirt. Keep 120 shirts in stock and rotate them each laundry day
(it keeps me unpredictable to the rest of the world).
Style theory: dress conservative---always.
Only buy clothes that you love. That means they fit, look good and you have a plan for wearing. No need for wishful thinking when shopping.
Goodwill is a gold-mine for conservative-style clothing.
Books:
Holy Bible, for obvious reasons.
Bangles: My True Story of Escape, Adventure and Forgiveness, by me. It reminds me of how far I have come.
Big Magic, by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book gave me permission to be me; no need to be perfect.
Food:
You can never relive your childhood, so make sure to write down all your favorites recipes from your mom and grandma while you can.
Best Pakistani Dish: Alloo Pallak
Best Breakfast: prata, chai and chutney in Kalu Kalan, Pakistan
Best Sushi: Ewwwww…..nowhere!
Best Pizza: Pizzeria, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Best Burrito: Any Taco Bell, burrito supreme.
Best French Fries: at Volcano in Al Jimi Mall, Al Ain, UAE.
Best fast food: A veggi swarma, in Al Ain, UAE.
Writing:
Know why you are writing.
For the first draft focus on getting your thoughts out of your head. Just write and don’t let your fingers stop moving. The result will always be a crappy, but expect that.
The second draft is for articulation of thought. Start from scratch and rewrite the best parts of the first draft in a form that people could understand.
The third draft is for positioning. Consider what purpose or impact you want. This is the draft where you delete half of what you’ve already written.
The fourth draft is for polish. Specifically look for the phrase “I think” and for ambiguous pronouns.
The fifth draft is just rewriting the title until you think people will read it.
Predictions:
I really don’t have the foggiest. I just live one day at a time right now.
Family:
Family is forever, which makes investing in them now so worthwhile. Quite often, you’ll have decades to reap the rewards.
Always kiss babies.
Friends:
Friendship springs from two sources, shared experience and natural chemistry. Watch for the chemistry and bet on it, because chemistry is forever.
Know who your close friends are and invest in them.
My Anxieties, Worries, and Fears:
Heart attack.
Going bald.
Going blind.
Losing recognition of my own children.
Not recognizing the Mark of the Beast
Abode:
Live in something that is small and perfect for you.
Live within your means.
Money:
Don’t cry over money; it doesn’t even know who you are.
Debt is modern day slavery; Dave Ramsey is right about almost everything,,,, listen to him and apply his advice.
Career:
If you hate going to work every day, it is time to seek change.
Don’t do something you hate just for the salary; it will not be worth it in the end.
Be the best that you can be; someone that matters will notice.
Learning:
Learn something about life from everyone you get to meet. If it is not obvious, look for it.
Everyone has a right to education.
Consider homeschooling your children. They deserve your love and attention.
Professionals aren't scared of sharing knowledge.
Literacy changes lives; get involved somehow.
Spend at least 20 minutes a day on personal development.
Never stop!!
Things I No Longer Believe in:
True love.
The old saying: “Mother knows best.”
Aspirations:
Always order a water instead of soda.
Have a default breakfast. (For me, one packet of oatmeal is perfect, with ice water and coffee.)
Experience living in the present.
Find a better solution to social anxiety than achievement and eating.
Learn to give compassionate feedback.
Again, keep a personal list of goals and work on them every single day until you die. But keep in mind the Bible says: Matthew 6:33 (KJV) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
