The movement of the heart as we practice generosity in the outer world mirrors the movement of the heart when we let go of conditioned views about ourselves on our inner journey. Letting go creates a joyful sense of space in our minds. ~Sharon Salzberg
Just one act of kindness that you perform may turn the tide of another persons life. Kindness is not only sharing but making your heart happy by what one is giving out. If you keep your eyes, mind, and heart open, love, kindness and wisdom will enter. ~Unknown
Even if your kindness won’t be acknowledged by anyone, remember that someone in Heaven smiles for what you have done. No matter how badly someone might have treated you, give them love, kindness and forgiveness in return. The gentle footprints of kindness that you leave behind makes a lifetime of soft imprints in the hearts of others that will never wash away. ~Unknown
There is no way you can change everyone in this world to your way of thinking . It is not even desirable. If everyone agrees with you, the world will soon run out of ideas.
There are many ways of correcting a person when he is wrong. By criticising, blaming and railing at him in public, you will be humiliating and not correcting him. Criticism is certain to make more enemies. If you can show concern for a man’s future good with kind words, he will thank you for it someday.
Never use harsh or unpleasant words whenever you express your views on issues. Diplomacy, gentleness and politeness do not hurt anybody. In fact they will open many doors.
Do not feel defensive when your own faults are pointed out. Your faults are your signposts for learning perfection. Temper is a poor camouflage for shortcomings. When someone loses his temper he will blurt out too many things better left unsaid. Never reveal a former friend’s personal secret no matter how angry you are with him now. You will only degrade yourself in the process and others could never accept you as sincere friend thereafter. Others will think you could do the same thing you did to injure a former friend: no one will trust you.
~Venerable Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda
Downtown Lowell — May 6, 2015.
When we speak, we want to say something sweet, but we don’t say something sweet because something is ordering us from deep down to say something unkind. We want to open our hearts to people, but we can’t do it, because we are being ordered around by the sufferings we have concealed deep in our consciousness. ~Thich Nhat Hanh
