Death is not the end

I met someone on my walk yesterday. His name was Pete. Pete told me that he had a fear of death. I thought of Pete again today, and suddenly this came to me:
Death is not the end. It is only the start of the next adventure. 
Do not fear death. Only fear your fear of death, for it prevents you from fully living.

Of course, this is not limited to mortal death, but death of anything (an event, experience). Our human mind has been conditioned to wish for everything to last forever. But why? Change is the way of nature. Everything is impermanent. So just live in the moment, enjoy what you have been gifted to experience right here, right now. Live without fear. Living in fear, I think, is even worse than death.
=)

Real love is a choice

Sharing a well-written perspective on real love in a relationship.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-adam-smith/real-love-is-a-choice_b_6039412.html

We (especially girls) grow up thinking that love and relationships will be like a fairy tale, happily ever after, two people staying madly in love with each other for life. But the reality is, no matter how good a match you are, those initial, wild passionate, feelings fade away. The passion can still remain, but some effort is required to maintain the love. After all, a relationship is a partnership between two imperfect individuals who have been brought together to learn from and support each other. A relationship is a union between two best friends. Learning can be hard at times, but you have a choice over how fun the journey will be. It only depends on your perspective -- do you see difficult times as challenges and growth spurts, or as suffering? 

True deep love is one that is accepting, understanding and supportive, knowing that the other person is only human and wishing the best for them no matter what. True love is selfless; you look after the other person's needs as much as you look after you own. The best love you can offer a relationship originates from one where you fully love yourself, because only when you love yourself, can you truly love another. And because you are full of love from yourself, love comes easily for another, there is no effort required. This union becomes one of two people standing hand in hand looking out to the future together, instead of two individuals seeking another to complete his/herself. Just as the Dalai Lama says, "Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other." Such wise words. 

Let kindness be a way of life

Trust in life

I have a friend at work who has been having trouble professionally and in his relationship with his family. Every day I remind him of what I believe in, which I will share here, and hope it can help you too! =)

You cannot ask someone to change, but you can love and try to understand them from their point of view. Your thoughts influence how you see and interact with the other person. Check your own thoughts before dismissing the other person. 
You may not like what he/she does, but you are not them. Neither are they you.

Also remember that what others do is not personally directed at you, but is only the result of their inner state. 

Everything in life happens for a reason. 

Everything that happens is a gift from God (or the Universe) to help us learn and become better human beings.

Life can only get better. You are loved. Never forget that. 

All will reveal itself when you stop worrying so much. Have faith. 
Just do your best.

Never underestimate the power of human touch. A hug works wonders. Always. =)

And finally, 

May peace come to you, my friend.

Beauty is everywhere if you open your eyes to it

Beauty is everywhere if you open your eyes to it =)

From Tiny Buddha:

Soul Pancake handed out a bunch of frames to people on the street and asked them to find beauty in the world around them. As one very wise participant shared, “I think that if we took some time, if we looked up, we looked down, we looked at each other, we would find that there is beauty everywhere around us.”

Genius is...

Stop trying to be happy and just be.

Sharing an article: "Stop trying to be happy."

Love it.

"...with regards to being happy, it seems the best advice is also the simplest: Imagine who you want to be and then step towards it. Dream big and then do something. Anything. The simple act of moving at all will change how you feel about the entire process and serve to inspire you further.

Let go of the imagined result — it’s not necessary. The fantasy and the dream are merely tools to get you off your ass. It doesn’t matter if they come true or not. Live, man. Just live. Stop trying to be happy and just be."

An additional note from me:

When you realize that no one is here to save you, you can actually get started on living the life you want. You are responsible for your own happiness. So get out there and start creating it.