I just watched a documentary called “10 Questions For The Dalai Lama”. It was an awesome documentary that took you through the history of the Dalai Lama, the training that he has undergone as well as his way of life. His views on life are truly extraordinary. For example, he talked about some peoples lack of being able to ever be truly satisfied in life. He said “if you always have the feeling of one more, one more, one more, you will never be satisfied in life”. As I personally reflect on the time times that I was happiest in life it was when I was taking the time to appreciate the things I have or just recently gotten without anticipation of more. I feel appreciation and gratitude are the true keys to living a satisfied life and you must take time to slow down and appreciate all the good things you do have without always focusing on what you are lacking. Focusing on what you lack is a vicious never ending cycle that will do nothing but leave you feeling unfulfilled.

One of the other things he discussed in this documentary was life satisfaction from the means of material things. In his view if you have very little you have very little to worryabout if you focus your mind right. If you have a lot, then you have a lot to lose and therefore a lot to worry about. I personally feel it’s about balance and how you choose to focus your thoughts. Many times the people in life that have a lot have always been focused on acquiring more and there fore never truly appreciated the journey of life and what they have gained along the way. The person that has little tends to appreciate those little things that they have acquired on the journey much more leading to higher levels of satisfaction and happiness in life. No matter what your views are the one thing that is made clear in all schools of thought is to your thoughts on what you have and truly appreciate what ever life brings your way. Let it fill you up, because it is all those little things that define you and you should be proud of them and show gratitude towards them every day.

This way of thinking is more important then ever given the current state of the economy. Many of us have lost homes, jobs, taken pay cuts and many other things. However, on the flip side of the coin there are many things that we still have that are worth so much more that can never be taken away from us, like our children, family, friends, skills, will, desire, motivation, education and LIFE. What ever life throws at you always make sure you get leverage on yourself so you are always living life with passion and not regret. Life is short it will go by in a blink of an eye if you let it, slow it down and enjoy the journey.

At the start of the new millennium the Dalai Lama apparently issued eighteen rules for living. I these rules are truly amazing and we can all learn a something from them. Here they are.

1. Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2. When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3. Follow the three Rs:
4. Respect for self
5. Respect for others
6. Responsibility for all your actions.
7. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
8. Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
9. Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
10. When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
11. Spend some time alone every day.
12. Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.

10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

11. Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.

12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

13. In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.

14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.

15. Be gentle with the earth.

16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.

17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.

18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.