That's why I tried to kill myself when I was a student [in Yale]. I thought I was the only one there.
Underneath the stress is fear, and the biggest is our own personal fear of failure.
Imagine you are walking in the woods and you see a small dog sitting by a tree. As you approach it, it suddenly lunges at you, teeth bared. You are frightened and angry. But then you notice that one of its legs is caught in a trap. Immediately your mood shifts from anger to concern: You see that the dog's aggression is coming from a place of vulnerability and pain. This applies to all of us. When we behave in hurtful ways, it is because we are caught in some kind of trap. The more we look through the eyes of wisdom at ourselves and one another, the more we cultivate a compassionate heart.
Most of us need to be reminded that we are good, that we are lovable, that we belong. If we knew just how powerfully our thoughts, words, and actions affected the hearts of those around us, we'd reach out and join hands again and again. Our relationships have the potential to be a sacred refuge, a place of healing and awakening. With each person we meet, we can learn to look behind the mask and see the one who longs to love and be loved.
Mindfulness is a pause -- the space between stimulus and response: that's where choice lies.
Happiness lies not in finding what is missing, but in finding what is present.
There is something wonderfully bold and liberating about saying yes to our entire imperfect and messy life.
The electors see their representative not only as a legislator for the state but also as the natural protector of local interests in the legislature; indeed, they almost seem to think that he has a power of attorney to represent each constituent, and they trust him to be as eager in their private interests as in those of the country.
If you can't recognize the man in the mirror, it is time to step back and see when you stopped being yourself.
So of course that was the moment my motherboard decided to do a short internal scan, throw up its hands, and screech, “Dear Lawd, a VAMPIRE has taken mah blood!” and initiate a general shutdown.
I will fight with all the weapons within my reach rather than let myself be nailed to a cross or whatever.