Inspiration
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
Dalai Lama
The Philosopher’s Corner
Happiness. The most elusive, yet simplistic of all feelings. We all yearn for it, but few can ever achieve it over a prolonged period of time.
Why is this the case?
Our maturation journey is a lifelong process. Remember what made you happy as a 3 year-old. Playing with toys today may not be as exciting as it once was when you opened that first GI Joe or Barbie Doll. The presents Santa once brought you that caused hours of jubilation and play, may not be met with the same zest some 30 + years later. You have grown, your taste in toys has too. But this is not about the material aspects of happiness, for those are truly fleeting as you know.
Have you ever given a child a toy they really wanted, only to find that when they receive it, they play with it for a few weeks and then three months later you are dusting it off with what appears to be three months of dust build up? I think we all have been in this boat in some way or another. We want our children to have all those things we once did not, but then voila, when it appears, it becomes the fleeting aspect of what is versus what is to become. So how can we find true happiness in this moment?
Well, the problem is not in what we have or don’t have. The problem is that we so often search for happiness outside instead of looking for it within. Happiness is not to be found outside of us. It cannot be found in material aspects of life. Instead, the true nature of happiness even associated with with material aspects is found in the value of what was put into achieving it. A gift is just that… A gift. It may be truly appreciated, or it may not. But when someone earns that same gift, there is a sense of value to it that goes beyond just the material aspects of the gift itself. Happiness must be fostered within, through those aspects of life that bring value. This is the essence of what the Dalai Lama is saying in this quote. Be compassionate… It is a gift that gives twice… once to the giver and once to the receiver.
Remember Love is For Giving. One word and two. Find someone you love, and show them how much you love them. What gifts of compassion have you given today. Have you told someone that you love them? Maybe it’s time!
Siddhartha: The Psychology of Realizing our Inner Potential
I wrote Siddhartha: The Psychology of Realizing our Inner Potential as a psychoanalysis of the Buddha’s plight to realize his inner potential. It is based upon the novel Siddhartha, written by the Nobel Laureate author Hermann Hesse. In it, I will take you through a storyline about through the 4 seasons of life.
Like Siddhartha, you too will explore the wonder of traveling through the spring of childhood plight, and celebrate the arrival of summer passion common to romantic love’s delight. You will wax and wane through the Fall of middle-age, sit back and reflect upon the the sun’s night-sea’s journey in Winter’s wise-age. I truly hope you enjoy.
May Prayers and Blessings Find You and Your Family. May you Believe… Achieve… & Advance Confidently in the Direction of Your Dreams.