Starting
Good Morning,
When we wake up in the morning what is our first thought? Usually it begins with some variation of "what about me". For example we may say; I hardly slept at all last night, I am so tired or I have so much to do today, how will I ever get it done. In both cases we are are starting the day off with our own concerns. There is nothing inherently selfish bout this, but if these types of thoughts start our day, then they ultimately drive our lives and fear and self absorption rule us. We become so fixated with our own happiness that our minds begin to shrink. Our days become full of difficulty because other people are inevitably getting in the way of our plan.
In our modern culture, we often feel we do not have enough; we need more to be complete. What if we have not learned what is enough? Then even when we have enough, we will not know it. It is said that the pleasure of a king and beggar are the same. It does not matter if you're rich are poor - the determining factor of success and happiness is contentment. Understanding this does not mean we are always going to get the perfect parking spot or that everything will go our way. There are always going to be hassles. The difference is we will no longer take it personally - "why me".
With right understanding and a little less thinking about about self (always looking out for number 1) we will begin to realize that life simply happens and we can crumble beneath unfortunate events or use the power of our minds to rise above them. This requires feeling comfortable in our mind and heart. Try to begin every morning contemplating what we are going to do not only with our lives but the way our lives touch others. We will all grow by benefitting those around us.
If we have compassion, love and understanding for everyone - all beings, beyond notions of friends or enemies, all of our wishes will be fulfilled and the basis of true happiness is ours.
Have a wonderful day and consider this: Real happiness educates us out of self into something far finer; into a selflessness which links us with all people.
Peace and Love, Jim
When we wake up in the morning what is our first thought? Usually it begins with some variation of "what about me". For example we may say; I hardly slept at all last night, I am so tired or I have so much to do today, how will I ever get it done. In both cases we are are starting the day off with our own concerns. There is nothing inherently selfish bout this, but if these types of thoughts start our day, then they ultimately drive our lives and fear and self absorption rule us. We become so fixated with our own happiness that our minds begin to shrink. Our days become full of difficulty because other people are inevitably getting in the way of our plan.
In our modern culture, we often feel we do not have enough; we need more to be complete. What if we have not learned what is enough? Then even when we have enough, we will not know it. It is said that the pleasure of a king and beggar are the same. It does not matter if you're rich are poor - the determining factor of success and happiness is contentment. Understanding this does not mean we are always going to get the perfect parking spot or that everything will go our way. There are always going to be hassles. The difference is we will no longer take it personally - "why me".
With right understanding and a little less thinking about about self (always looking out for number 1) we will begin to realize that life simply happens and we can crumble beneath unfortunate events or use the power of our minds to rise above them. This requires feeling comfortable in our mind and heart. Try to begin every morning contemplating what we are going to do not only with our lives but the way our lives touch others. We will all grow by benefitting those around us.
If we have compassion, love and understanding for everyone - all beings, beyond notions of friends or enemies, all of our wishes will be fulfilled and the basis of true happiness is ours.
Have a wonderful day and consider this: Real happiness educates us out of self into something far finer; into a selflessness which links us with all people.
Peace and Love, Jim
posted by The Daily Buddha at 7:21 AM
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