Nothing evokes the prurient like puritanism.
Of course, most of the people in this world are stressed, and most of those who are not stressed are totally bored!
The most common ego identifications have to do with possessions, the work you do, social status and recognition, knowledge and education, physical appearance, special abilities, relationships, person and family history, belief systems, and often nationalistic, racial, religious, and other collective identifications. None of these is you.
Here is a new spiritual practice for you: don't take your thoughts too seriously.
The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it.
All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry - all forms of fear - are caused by too much future, and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past, and not enough presence.
Stop looking outside for scraps of pleasure or fulfillment, for validation, security, or love - you have a treasure within that is infinitely greater than anything the world can offer.
We have very beautiful bad weather here at present - rain, wind, thunder - but with splendid effects; that's why I like it.
I'd gotten away from my Buddhism. And I quit meditating.
Do you wish the world were happy? Then remember day by day, just to scatter seeds of kindness as you pass along the way. . . .
It is funny what a year can do.