The Fundamental 5 for Humanity (GLAAF)

Gather together.
LOVE one another.
Advance Humanity.
Advocate Peace.
Feel God’s Grace.

Gather Together:

• Nurture a sense of community.
• Celebrate shared experiences and traditions.
• Create opportunities for social gatherings and connections.

LOVE One Another:

• Show compassion and empathy to those in need.
• Extend kindness to strangers and acquaintances.
• Practice forgiveness and understanding in your relationships.

Advance Humanity:

• Promote education and lifelong learning.
• Encourage innovation, technology and creativity.
• Engage in social and environmental activism.

Advocate Peace:

• Mediate conflicts and promote reconciliation.
• Support organizations and initiatives dedicated to peace.
• Foster a culture of tolerance and acceptance.

Feel God’s Grace:

• Cultivate a sense of spirituality or faith.
• Reflect on the beauty of the natural world.
• Engage in practices that promote inner peace and mindfulness.

“Man plans, and God laughs” G-Laaf

“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” is an old Yiddish adage meaning, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.”

The Fundamental 5 follow the acronym “GLAAF” and you can think of it as G-LAAF or  “God Laughs” or “Good Laugh.”

“Man plans, and God laughs” is a saying that suggests that despite our best efforts to plan and control our lives, unexpected events and circumstances often intervene, reminding us of the unpredictability of life. And, laughing at yourself indicates resilience.

G.L.A.A.F.
(G) Gather together.

(L) LOVE one another.

(A) Advance Humanity.

(A) Advocate Peace.

(F) Feel God’s Grace.

1. GATHER TOGETHER:

   This fundamental emphasizes the importance of nurturing relationships and coming together with loved ones. Gathering together underscores the value of building strong connections and networks and finding support during both the ups and downs of life. Gathering together with family and friends can provide emotional strength and comfort in times of uncertainty and challenges.

2. LOVE ONE ANOTHER:

   Loving one another, showing compassion, kindness, and forgiveness, is crucial when life presents unexpected turns. It plays a central role in providing emotional support and understanding during challenging times. The text highlights relationships and the emotional aspect of our responses to life’s surprises, and love for one another is a source of comfort and resilience.

3. ADVANCE HUMANITY:

   This fundamental encourages us to contribute positively to the world, advance our collective knowledge, and work towards a better future. It reminds us that, despite life’s unpredictability, we can still make a difference through innovation, creativity, technology and social or environmental activism. By advancing humanity, we have the power to shape a more resilient and adaptable society. “advance humanity“

4. ADVOCATE PEACE:

   Peace and reconciliation are essential when faced with unexpected setbacks or tragedies. It serves as a reminder that, even in the face of challenges, fostering peace, tolerance, and understanding can help us navigate difficult times. Advocating for peace is a source of emotional healing and resilience.  “peace talks”   “peace talks“

5. FEEL GOD’S GRACE:

   This fundamental represents finding inner peace, spirituality, and appreciation for the beauty of the world. It encourages us to connect with our inner selves and find moments of serenity, even amid life’s uncertainties. Feeling God’s Grace is a way to maintain emotional well-being and a sense of inner strength.  You can be an atheist and have your own version of Feeling God’s Grace.

These five fundamentals provide a holistic perspective on how to navigate life’s surprises and challenges, emphasizing the importance of personal connections, love, positive contributions to society, peace, and inner serenity. They serve as guiding principles to help individuals find resilience, grace, and strength during both good and difficult times.

Here’s a memory tool using the acronym “G-LAAF”:

G – Gather Together: Visualize a group of people gathering together in a garden, celebrating and nurturing their relationships.

L – LOVE One Another: Imagine a big heart (for love) and visualize yourself extending kindness and forgiveness to others.

A – Advance Humanity: Picture an open book with a beautiful tree growing out of it, representing education, technology, creativity, innovation, and environmental activism.

A – Advocate Peace: Envision a peace sign and two hands mediating a conflict, promoting reconciliation and fostering tolerance.

F – Feel God’s Grace: Visualize a serene, natural landscape with a sense of spirituality, beauty, and inner peace.

Using these mental images along with the “GLAAF” acronym can help you remember the five categories more easily.

Come up with your own G-LAAF ideas for what works for you!

P.S. The Fundamental 5 are just twelve (12) words.

P.P.S. Check out the book, Mastering the 5 Core Values: The YEARN Advantage – A Life-Altering Guidebook to Achieve Your Greatness