"The 9 Principles of Life" was first published on 2 October 2009.  It is 10 cm (4") wide by 14.7 cm (5.8") long, and approximately 10 mm (3/8") thick. It should easily fit into a purse or even a back pocket. It contains 9 poems spread over 143 pages.

What appears below is the Introduction from the book:

Welcome to “The 9 Principles of Life”, my ninth book. Thank you for choosing this book
.
In 2007, I decided to mark the 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year of the second millennium by writing 7 poems. Those 7 poems became my 7th book titled “The 7 Tiers of Life.”

What also followed was a journey that I did not realize at the time would continue until this day. That journey was taking the symbolism of the repetition of a number and creating something from it.

In 2008, I started a project on the 8th day of the 8th month of writing 8 poems. While the project was not completed on the day in question, it did become my 8th book titled “The 8 Steps to Enlightenment.”

It is now 2009, and unlike the other two books I did not start this book on 9th day of the 9th month of this year.

The actual journey of writing the 9 poems began on my birthday in June. It continued, over the following two months, until the final poem was written just a few days before the end of August. This introduction was started on 31 August 2009.

Interestingly, the last major amendment of this introduction and the final draft of this book are now being completed on the 9th day of the 9th month.

So, what is the purpose of this book, and why did I call it “The 9 Principles of Life?” To answer the questions in reverse, the number 9 comes from the 9th year of the second millennium. The idea of the principles was conceived in February of this year, while on holidays in New Zealand.

This book consists of, dare I say, 9 poems, describing 9 different principles of what is suggested are essential aspects of each of us that will enable effective interaction with ourselves, others and our environment.

Is this list inclusive? No, it is not. It is a start, and you are welcome to add to it. Is this list definitive? No, it is not. You are again welcome to choose what is appropriate for you. Is this list for you? Only you will know. Is this list based on research or fact? No, it is not. They are my thoughts and my words, and as such, they could be entirely wrong.

Anyone who has read any of my other books will know that this is always the case, and I love to throw up this type of challenge, to see how you, the reader, react. Am I right? No, I am not. I choose what is appropriate for me, and you will choose what is appropriate for you. If we choose the same thing, then that is, a bonus.

As for the contents, all of the ideas and words are mine. In an effort to highlight each of the principles when they appear in the book, the word starts with a capital letter to show the connection to, and the interrelationship between, the principles.

The order in which the principles appear is not significant, as each is equally important. An arbitrary decision was made to start with Integrity.
As with anything that I do, there is an exception. The last principle is Honour. As you will see, it connects the preceding eight principles. Does that mean you only need to read it? Ah, now that is a question only you can answer. I will offer you this in response. Since when is the destination more important than the journey?

So there it is, an Introduction, and a wander through the thoughts of this author. What you have before you, are my thoughts and ideas. Do they connect with your own? There is only one way to find out, turn the page, and let us begin.

Gary Dodd
9 September 2009

To order this book

Orders