Page 376 – Tiny Buddha

Enjoying Our Passions Instead of Focusing on Status and Approval

By Rachel Trotta in Blog, meaning & passion

“If your number one goal is to make sure that everyone likes and approves of you, then you risk sacrificing your uniqueness, and, therefore, your excellence.” ~Unknown

The year that I graduated from college with my undergraduate degree, I was beyond enthusiastic about being a teacher.

I was absolutely confident that I was a very gifted communicator and that I had a great deal to offer to the field of education. In reality, I had no idea how right I was, yet how different my path would be from what I expected.

For me, work was not just a “J-O-B”; …

Dealing with Disappointing Relationships: Change Your Expectations

By Khrystle Rea in Blog, love & relationships

“If you can’t change the circumstances, change your perspective.” ~Unknown

Sometimes it feels as if you are completely in control of your life, but when it comes to relationships there’s always the other person.

In a relationship, you can’t be the puppeteer. People have their own emotions, behaviors, actions, beliefs, scars, wounds, fears, dreams, and perspectives. They are their own person.

How often have you wanted a relationship to be something that it was not?

How many times have you said a certain word or phrase in order to spark a specific reaction?

How much do you expect from …

3 Lessons from Traveling That Lead to Everyday Happiness

By Ehren Prudhel in Blog, happiness & fun, mindfulness & peace

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel—not a destination.” ~Roy M. Goodman

After graduating from college I took off to explore Europe for four months with one of my best friends.

We backpacked through fourteen different countries and learned things about the world and ourselves that we never expected. We often joked that we learned more about life and ourselves traveling abroad for four months than we did going to school for four years in college.

When you’re traveling, you get a whole new perspective on what really matters, and you feel this sense of adventure and excitement that …

50 Ways to Find Creative Inspiration

By Lori Deschene in Blog, happiness & fun, meaning & passion

“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.” ~Daisaku Ikeda

I have always loved that scene in American Beauty when Ricky Fitts shows his video of a plastic bag blowing in the wind.

He’s the complete opposite of his neighbor Lester Burnham, who seems to have decided long ago to live life in a comatose state of submission, completely disconnected from authentic joy.

Ricky seems inspired by everything that most people simply overlook. He explains of his bag video:

“It was one of those days when it’s a minute …

A Man, a Pink Tutu, and His Smiling Wife, Who’s Undergoing Chemo

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

One woman. One cancer diagnosis. One man. One pink tutu. One inspiring mission. More smiles than can possibly be counted. Bob Carey, you are my new hero.

Wisdom of the Future

By Leah Pearlman in Fun & Inspiring

Source: Dharma Comics

Why You Should Do That Thing You’ve Always Wanted to Do

By Louise Watson in Blog, meaning & passion

“Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly.” ~Robert H. Schuller

In March this year, I did something I had wanted to do since the age of nine: I had my first piano lesson. At the time I was nearly thirty-five, so it had only taken me twenty-six years to get around to it.

Why the delay? Well, when I was little, we couldn’t afford lessons, but looking back I see that was only an excuse until I got my first part-time job at sixteen—which means that the last nineteen years of procrastinating were entirely down to me.…

Change Your Life: Be Honest with Yourself and Make Conscious Choices

By Anders Hasselstrøm in Blog, change & challenges, healthy habits

“If you do nothing unexpected, nothing unexpected happens.” ~Fay Weldon

During the last year I have made significant changes. I have changed my habits, values, thoughts, and perception of life. It has been an amazing journey and I have learned some valuable lessons that I want to share with you about happiness, motivation, and standing up for decisions you believe in.

I have always loved attention and I have always loved to party. In Denmark, it is not unusual that students drink two to three times a week, and I used to do that, as well.

Last year I …

Make Peace with Your Past: Find the Good and Embrace the Lessons

By Lanette Pottle in Blog, happiness & fun, mindfulness & peace

“It’s not the events of our lives that shape us but our beliefs as to what those events mean.” ~Tony Robbins

Daughter of an alcoholic. Welfare recipient. Teenage mother. Non-college attendee. Poor decision maker. Unhealthy relationship participant. Financial disaster. Evictee.

All of these statements described me. They also propelled me into action, transforming me into an over-achieving perfectionist. Yet they still weighed me down because I felt like I had to constantly prove I was better than my past—better than the circumstances from which I came.

It took a lot of effort.

It took a lot of energy.

It was …

Be Happier with What Is by Letting Go of How Things Should Be

By Vanessa Anstee in Blog, happiness & fun, mindfulness & peace

“What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.” ~Ralph Marston

Have you ever been stuck and felt like you’re spiraling around the same space over and over? It’s just like Groundhog Day.

Every day, you have new intentions about how it will be different only to be left with the same hollow feelings at the end of the day.

You feel sadness for the dreams of what could have been and maybe even what should have been.

At forty-five I found myself unexpectedly in this place, stuck like my feet were almost tied to the ground. All the usual …

Buddha Doodles: Choose to Believe in Love

By Molly Hahn in Fun & Inspiring

Source: Buddha Doodles

Find What Gives You Joy

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Source: Ups, Downs, & Roundabouts

Secret Santa’s Layaway Gift

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Three mothers got the best holiday gift ever this year: the gift of renewed faith in people. It’s something we can all give year round, not just at the holiday season, and not just with our wallets. In fact, you may already give it regularly without even realizing it.

For all the angels who give it here, through kindness, consideration, and support, in comments or in the forums, I thank you. You remind me that people are good, and people care!

Why Screwing Things Up Is Crucial to Your Well-Being

By Michelle Russell in Blog, change & challenges, mindfulness & peace

“Where there is perfection there is no story to tell.” ~Ben Okri

Somehow I’d gathered my courage and volunteered from the audience during a local improvisational theater show. And before I knew it, I was up on stage with the troupe, being welcomed, supported, and seamlessly gathered into the scene in a way that only professional improvisers can do.

I left the stage high as a kite from the adrenaline rush, returning to my seat and enthusing to my friend that I wanted to start taking improv classes right away!

What I didn’t realize until I was several weeks …

When You’re at the End of Your Rope: 7 Tips to Help Yourself

By Cathy Black in Blog, change & challenges

TRIGGER WARNING: This post deals with an account of sexual assault and may be triggering to some people.

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” ~Bernice Johnson Reagan

During my first year away at college, I struggled with depression and anxiety. I felt broken, hopeless, and lost, and I didn’t know how to cope.

At times, I thought about jumping out of my fourth floor dorm room window.

Thankfully, I didn’t.

It all began on the day I moved into my dorm in August of 2008. My parents took me …

How to Really Embrace Yourself (Even in the Face of Criticism)

By Kathryn Hall in Blog

“Above all, be true to yourself, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.” ~Unknown

Sitting at a party minding my own business, I wasn’t expecting it. I had no reason to. A comment filled with sarcasm and authority shot out at me from a across the room.

“Shut up Kathryn.”

It hit me like a bullet aimed straight at my heart.

I wasn’t even aware I was being particularly quiet. I was simply being me. Taking in my surroundings, quietly observing, listening to the conversations that encircled me.

But someone had noticed …

What It Really Means to “Just Be Yourself” and 3 Ways to Do It

By Victoria Ayres in Blog, healthy habits

“Waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be.” ~Alan Watts

I’ve heard the statement “just be yourself” so much. It sounds like an amazing thing to do, and I have wished many times that I could just do that. What I’ve wondered, though, is what in the world does that mean?

What if someone is a jerk to other people? Is it okay for them to just be themselves and go on being a jerk to everyone? How about people who are fearful of being around others and live a hermit-like life, …

The Best Things in Life Are Free

By Lori Deschene in Fun & Inspiring

Source: Chibird

A Small Act of Kindness Can Make a Big Difference

By Ken Wert in Blog, love & relationships

“If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” ~Dalai Lama

I had an old trench coat that was balled up on the floor of my garage, gathering dust near the washing machine. It was raining. It was unusually cold (for California, anyway).

I was driving home when I saw a man in a short sleeved shirt wandering through our neighborhood, pushing a shopping cart. He was walking painfully slow. He was dripping wet.

I paused at the intersection to my street and watched him for several minutes, thinking. My heart was …