Thank You Dalai Lama!

Well I did it! 

The first month done!

The first book done!

Yay!

So what are my thoughts after reading "The Art of Happiness"?

The first one that comes out is the need for more time.  As I was reading this very interesting book I found myself looking off into space while I thought about a point the Dalai Lama made.  Or following one of the Dalai Lama's meditations.  Or writing a quote down in my journal because I loved how different it was.  Or just trying to find a way to integrate a point that was made into my life in general.

But of course, with all this thinking, and only thirty-one days to finish the 318 page book, I did find myself rushing at the end.  So I have to admit to myself that I didn't take in everything I feel that this book has to offer.  This means that I will probably reread it again with no time limit.  Once I lend it to my mother of course.

I have learned alot from "The Art of Happiness".  Not only about how to create happiness in your life, but also about how to create the mindset needed to face hardship or negativity, and still remain in a happy state within your life.  Now I don't mean being oblivious to the negativity, but aware that it can bring me down only if I let it.  Only if I allow it to poison my thoughts and my mood.  Only if I allow it to make me worry, or get angry, or be sad.

And I also realize that this practice takes longer than just one month of reading a book.  As the Dalai Lama points out at the end of "The Art of Happiness", that a happy and positive outlook on life takes a lifetime (or if you believe in reincarnation, several lifetimes) to achieve.  And, even if you do achieve it, you can still stumble and fall.  Which is kind of a refreshing when you think about it.  In the day and age of instant results and instant gratification, it's good to be told that something will take a while to achieve, and that it's ok if you falter, as long as you pick yourself back up.  And I think happiness is something that people should constantly work towards in life.

So, what does that mean for me?

Well, like I said I would do with each book, I've thought of three ways I can continue my lessons I have learned from "The Art of Happiness".  And here they are!

The first, and most important thing I think, is to practice compassion.  The Dalai Lama stressed this many times through out the book.  There is a need to be compassionate to others, but also compassionate to yourself.  In recognizing that each person on this earth is trying to achieve happiness as they live their lives, then that doesn't make people much different than yourself.  And by being kind and compassionate, you are giving them happiness.  And, if they in turn practice kindness or compassion back, will give you happiness in return.  But we also need to be compassionate with ourselves.  We seem to drive ourselves to work hard, to move quickly, to not make mistakes, to live up to the standards of others. But to truly be happy, the priorities in your life need to focus on the happiness of you.  By being compassionate with yourself, you then can be so much better with your work, with your relationships, with life in general, because you have that base of a happy and content person.

The second lesson that I will practice from now on is to face my problems head on, and then not worry about them.  And this, I know, is going to be the most difficult thing to do.  I'm a natural worrier.  I feel like if I don't remind myself about something, if I don't worry about them, then they will not be taken care of.  But the problem with this line of thinking is that even if you can't solve that problem yet, or at all, you'll still worry about it.  And that, I realize, is futile.  And it makes you really unhappy, and overwhelmed.  So I hope, little by little, I can first learn to recognize whether the problem I'm worrying about is solvable or not.  And if I can solve it, learn to constructively solve it without worrying about it.  And if I can't solve it yet, figure out what it would take to solve it, then don't worry about it.  And if I can't solve it, then don't worry about it because there would be no point in it.  So the overall thing to do is don't worry..... be happy. Yeah you know you are singing that song now!

The third lesson I hope to keep practicing that I learned from this book is the need to reprioritize my life to do what makes me happy.  Even the Dalai Lama recognizes that there are things we have to do in life that we sometimes don't want to do, or that makes us feel sad or angry.  But he also emphasizes that the more you prioritize your life to being happy with what you are doing, and with who you are with, the happier you'll be.  And the basis of this is being your genuine self.  And this, I know, is alot harder than we all think.  But when you are true to who you are and what you want, you attract others who will accept and love you for who you are, in turn supporting you in what you want to do with your life.  And if you do what makes you happy, and surround yourself with people who make you happy, you will find that your happiness will reflect on others.  So try and rework my priorities to reflect what will make me happy.  I think I could do that.

I am really happy (no pun intended) that I chose "The Art of Happiness" as my first book with this inspirational adventure I'm on.  It really opened my eyes to how just changing my thoughts and reactions to what happens around me allows me to create a happy life.

So thank you Dalai Lama for all your wisdom and putting it down into an incredible book that I would recommend to anyone!

And now, something completely different.....

..... Book Two!  "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. 

Here we go with Month Two!