“The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles.”-Jack Kerouac

Having grown up in the 1960’s, this gracefully aging hippie read voraciously about free spirits and their adventures. Novelist Jack Kerouac was such a one and I drank in his classic On the Road in my college years. A friend shared Kerouac’s ‘list of essentials’ that helped to feed his literary fire. I include some of his words that inspired me to pen my own.

“Scribble secret notebooks, and wild typewritten pages, for yr own joy.”

“Be in love with yr life.”

“Telling the true story of the world in interior monolog.”

“Believe in the holy contour of life.” 

Decide definitively that THIS moment will never exist again, so live only in it.

Splash around in wet and wild life puddles, scattering drops on unsuspecting passersby.

Color with your creative juices, outside the lines.

Know that you have always been one of the cool kids and need not earn a place at the table.

Embrace no limits thinking.

Listen to the persistent voice of The Muse and pick up pen or tip tap type with fingers and take dictation.

Keep arms and heart, mind and eyes open to the wonder that surrounds you.

Deny naysayers. Accept yaysayers.

Explore the path before you, map free.

Stop practicing savior behavior.

Collaborate and co-create with Spirit.

Follow your wise mind inner guidance. It never has and never will steer you wrong.

Catapult into your exciting future, rising and falling in free light, knowing that you will have a safe landing.

Honor the sages in your life. Absorb their wisdom. Chances are they have been where you are now.

Since Teflon coating deflects and sponges absorb, put down your Teflon shields and be a love sponge.

Control what you can, release what you can’t, like sand through your fingers.

Change and challenge are inevitable. Face them with grace.

Dance like EVERYONE is watching and invite them on the dance floor with you.

Know that delays may prevent you from being where you aren’t supposed to be. Divine timing is impeccable.

Be willing to be silly.

Create your life by divine design.

Stretch your soul and watch your life expand exponentially. 

Fill up your love tank until it overflows.

A new perception brings abundant reception.

Laugh uproariously.

Be voraciously curious.

Live in faith, not in fear.

Lounge luxuriantly.

Exist to be extraordinary. 

Feel free to throw a pity party, but leave when you realize you are the only guest there.

We are all works of he(art).

Be a generous giver and gracious receiver.

Stand out, stand up and speak up.

You will succeed only as far as you believe you can. Work your mental muscles.

Live and love lusciously. 

Be an opti-mystic who sees the world through the eyes of possibility.

What are your essentials?