Buddha is the fully awakened one. The enlightened one. The one that preaches against ignorance, hatred, and anger. I choose to live by these tenets, and as I strive to be my best self, I attempt to spread positivity rather than harmful vibes. I am a certified yoga instructor and have been living a mindful life ever since reading Hermann Hesse's "Siddhartha" my sophomore year in high school. Buddha's life lessons are widespread and, thus, applicable to almost every and any situation that life may throw at you.
1. Words can either hurt or heal
Language, words, sayings, dialects, meanings, tongues are all capable of either destroying one's peace or building one's being. Detrimental remarks can scar one's heart while positive, kind, motivating words have the ability to stimulate an individual to better themselves and his/her surroundings.
2. Generosity
"Give, even if you only have a little" (Buddha).
To be generous is defined as having the desire to provide more of something that isn't necessary or is unexpected. Do something unforeseen for someone at least once a day!
3. Don't succumb to your negative thoughts
"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves" (Buddha).“If with a pure mind a person speaks or acts, happiness follows them like a never-departing shadow" (Buddha).
We all suffer from self-demeaning thoughts, but we must consciously remind ourselves that these negative impressions will get us nowhere.
4. No one can change you; only you can change you
"Peace comes from within" (Buddha).
Within this lesson, is the lesson: never change for someone else, only yourself. Moreover, when someone promises to change FOR YOU, walk away—they must want to change FOR THEMSELVES.
5. Your thoughts are powerful
“The mind is everything. What you think you become“ (Buddha).
“We are what we think. All that we are arises with our thoughts. With our thoughts, we make the world" (Buddha).
You have the ability to turn your thoughts into action. Be efficient. Plan. And do!
6. Be in the present moment
"Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment" (Buddha).
I'm at fault for always looking at the future or past. I always stress about what's yet to come; hopefully, together, we can remind ourselves to live in the present moment.
7. Experience different situations, including cultures and classes
“It is better to travel well than to arrive” (Buddha).
Traveling generates growth. Be open-minded and try new things. Allow new experiences to shape you.
8. Place yourselves in other's shoes
"Understanding is the heartwood of well-spoken words" (Buddha).
Acknowledge that every human being is going through their own struggles. Every human being holds their individual ideologies. Every human being does things just a little bit differently.
9. Love (yourself)
“Radiate boundless love towards the entire world" (Buddha).
"Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so let one cultivate a boudless love towards all beings" (Buddha).
"You can search throughout the entire unvierse for someone who is more derving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and that person is not to be found anywehre. You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection" (Buddha).
Keep in mind that self-love is the greatest middle finger of them all.
10. Let go of the uncontrollable
“You only lose what you cling to" (Buddha).
Many matters that people stress over are circumstances that people cannot control. The next time you find yourself worrying about the ungovernable, take a deep breath and allow the stress to flow out with your exhalation.
