“There are two great days in a person's life—the day we are born and the day we discover why.” ~William Barclay
The word “capacity” has many definitions. It can be summarized as the maximum measure of innate potential and …
“If you focus on results, you will never change. If you focus on change, you will get results.” ~Jack Dixon
The first time I picked up a brush to paint I was 28 years old. I had never painted before, …
“A leader leads by example whether he intends to or not.” ~Unknown
Ever since I can remember, I have always wanted to “be somebody.” For the majority of my life, I worked very hard at being whatever I thought I …
“Your current safe boundaries were once unknown frontiers.” ~Unknown
It was a few months into my semester abroad during my sophomore year in college when I realized how special the experience had become.
On the way to class, I strolled …
When I was 24 years old, I learned that some dreams are actually avoidance tactics, and some discouragement is a very good thing.
I was relatively new in New York City, and I felt overwhelmed by the prospect of failing …
“He is able who thinks he is able.” ~Buddha
How would you answer the question: “Are you successful in life?”
I know many people who would say that they are not successful; at least they have not reached success …
“The most important things in life are the connections you make with others.” ~Tom Ford
Three years ago I was living in the Bay Area, working for a start-up website as a community and content and manager. Every day, I …
“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” ~Miriam Beard
Next year, I plan to visit two countries as part of my New Year's “Travel …
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” ~Lao Tzu
At lunch the other day, a new friend and I were discussing changes in our lives and how everything feels very new and different.…
“You make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give.” ~Unknown
There’s something magical about this time of year, and it has nothing to do with the Santas posted like soldiers at various points …
“Life is a process of becoming. A combination of states we have to go through. Where people fail is that they wish to elect a state and remain in it. This is a kind of death.” ~Anais Nin
Five months …
“The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Let's think for a second about emptiness. Why is a cup of tea useful? For its decorations? No—it's useful for its emptiness, for the space …
“It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.” ~Proverb
Two years ago, after hearing Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project, talk about setting up …
“Jealousy is the art of counting someone else's blessings instead of your own.” ~Unknown
My friend Kayla and I ran a student organization together at our graduate school. One day, we were sitting at the local café, talking about plans …
“Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” ~John Lennon
I am someone who enjoys doing a lot of different things, and yet I don’t always enjoy being busy. Sometimes when my schedule gets full, I feel almost …
“The person who lives life fully, glowing with life's energy, is the person who lives a successful life.” ~Daisaku Ikeda
In everything we do, we seek happiness. Or at least what we think will bring happiness.
But this goal can …
“Don't let today's disappointments cast a shadow on tomorrow's dreams.” ~Unknown
One of the most difficult parts of reaching your goals or making positive change is pushing through discomfort.
This is where a lot of people give up—when the process …
“To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.” ~Unknown
There are certain events that can rock us to the core: starting a new job, moving across the country, ending a relationship. Within the past …
Update: The winners have already been chosen for this giveaway. Subscribe to the Tiny Buddha List to learn about future contests!
Last week, I received an email from the marketing team at Shambhala Publications informing me about the upcoming “Smile-at-Fear” …
“The saddest summary of life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.” ~Unknown
This is a phrase that had become a central theme in my life. One night, during one of my all too frequent bouts of …
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