The Dalai Lama's Tips for Living Your Best Life

Some great quotes from the Dalai Lama.

1 - “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.”

This quote refers not just to romantic love, but complete love without judgment -- of ourselves and of others. To love others, we must first love ourselves, which means acting in harmony with our true life purpose every day.

2 -  “If you can, help others; if you cannot do that, at least do not harm them.”

This quote has been paraphrased in a number of ways. This simple statement is so profound. Like the physician's Hippocratic oath to do no harm, we should always look for ways to help others. But, if we can't find it in ourselves to help others, maybe because we are so down and disheartened about our own situation that we feel we don't have the means, the least we can do is not cause harm to others. Imagine how much happier everyone could be if everyone on earth followed this simple philosophy?

3 - “We all seek happiness and shun suffering, but as human beings we are distinguished from others by our intelligence. If we allow it to be controlled by negative emotions like hatred, the consequences are disastrous, but if we use it positively, we can not only recognize our predicament but also train our minds and ways of thinking, which enables us to transform ourselves into better, happier people.”

This quote is one of my favorites and, in my opinion, needs no further explanation.

7 Life Lessons Happy People Have Already Figured Out

by Shannon Kaiser
Life doesn’t come with instructions. No one hands us a manual when we are born. Instead we have to navigate the trenches of the unknown and try to suck in the experiences with an open heart and courageous action. But what happens when life doesn’t go as planned?

Is happily ever after and smooth sailing reserved for the privileged or uber-happy folks? Not quite. Even people who seem to ooze joy were born with the same lack of instructions as everyone else.

In some cases, the happiest people in the world have been through the most difficult circumstances. So how is it they can access inner peace effortlessly and pull through life’s difficult patches with grace and ease?
 
The thing all happy people have in common is the ability to look at life situations as growing opportunities.

We're always shifting and shaping into the person we can ultimately be. But happy people seem to learn the life lessons and practice them daily. 

Trust that the rough patches of your life can ultimately groom you for a deeper understanding of who you really are. If you want to be happier, you can learn these seven life lessons extraordinarily happy people already figured out.
 
1. It isn't what you have that matters. It is what you do with what you have.
That extra weight on your body, the nose you want to change or the size of your thighs are all insignificant aspects of who you are and what you are capable of achieving. When we obsess over the things we hate — about situations or ourselves — we don’t have room to focus on new opportunities. 

Happy people know complaining about what you don’t like will keep you from embracing life fully. Let go of your insecurities and self-criticism. Learn to see yourself the same way as people who love you.
 
2. Be where you are, not where you think you should be.
So many of us race around trying to catch up to the future version we see in the mirage of what “should be.” This constant thirst for something more prevents us from being fully in the moment — right now. If you're waiting for more, you are missing the rich layers of potential in the present. Stop waiting for something other than this and know you are right where you need to be to get to where you want to be. Acceptance of this moment is key.
 
3. Everything and everyone has its own time and place.
People, jobs, even places we live have expiration dates. Happier people seem to understand the surrendering power that comes with the art of letting go. Humans have seasons to the soul, much like nature. We can embrace the changes and recognize letting go is not saying goodbye, but simply a new beginning with fresh awareness and new perspective.
 
4. Resistance is a form of self-sabotage.
Stop trying to make it what it isn’t. Just accept what is. The partner who doesn’t do what you wish. The job that feels soul-sucking. The body type you can’t seem to achieve. All of those are forms of resistance. The refusal to see things as they are by masking the truth with candy-coated lies is a direct route to unhappiness. Instead of trying to change things, people or places, let them be.
 
5. You will see what you believe.
We've all heard, “When I see it, I'll believe it.” But the happiest people in the word have already figured out believing is a mandatory first stop. Every revolutionary game-changer believed in his vision long before they saw it come to fruition. 

Martin Luther King, Steve Jobs and Gandhi are all people who believed with every cell of their bodies in their vision. What is your goal and deepest desire? Your only mission is dive in so deep that the belief it is possible beams from your pores.
 
6. Fear of the unknown is a byproduct of settling.
Many of us hang our hats (even subconsciously) on the fact that the future can be intimidating, especially if we don’t have a clear plan. Whether you want to leave the job you hate or leave a burdensome relationship, changing directions in life can bring up our deepest fear of the unknown. 

But happy people have learned fear of the unknown is actually a subtle byproduct of settling and playing it safe. Every happy person has felt that same fear but courageously stepped forward into the unknown. Then they quickly realized how peaceful and joy-filled the journey can be. Remember, fear is always worse in our heads. Once you take a step forward, the fear will disappear.
 
7. You fit in just as you are.
Most happy folks I know, including myself, have learned true happiness is not about trying to fit in with the world, but realizing we all fit in as we are. Instead of trying to change, manipulate or force yourself into outer ideals, practice self-love and acceptance. When you can trust yourself and be present with where you are in this moment, you will feel the ultimate expression of undulating freedom.

Garden Update & Harvest 10/4/15

 

 10/4/15 - Garden still has plenty of produce even after a frost! All that died from the last time I visited were the basil plants and ground cherry tomatoes.

 10/4/15 - Another harvest of Cayenne peppers. It's a shame we don't have a long growing season. In spite of planting these the same time as all the rest in February, they were a late bloom with plenty of peppers, but I'm not sure how they will survive or thrive with the cold weather. The plant usually yields a ton of peppers!

 10/4/15 - Today's harvest...Lots of Swiss Chard, 1 bell pepper, 4 Cayenne Pepper, Ground Cherry tomatoes, Giant Green onions and Curled Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - It's a shame how many ground cherry tomatoes parished with the cold weather. All the white dots are fruit!

  10/4/15 - Giant sweet bell peppers, 5 colored Chinese peppers and Cayenne pepper

 10/4/15 - Still so much Swiss chard. A favorite in soups all summer!

 10/4/15 - Another plentiful plant, the Curlsed Scotch kale, also a favorite in my soups

 10/4/15 - Mmm more Swiss chard

 10/4/15 - More Curlsed Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - Way too much Red Russian kale!

 10/4/15 - More Swiss Chard and Dino kale!

 10/4/15 - Strawberries

 10/4/15 - Strawberries filling in for a productive season next year. I probably should have planted some in the bare spots where the transplants died, but left it bare.

 10/4/15 - It's amazing how fast these grow, after 2 weeks of harvest they're back up

 10/4/15 - Plenty of Giant green onions! And dead basil plants in the background

  10/4/15 - 4th row...Cayenne pepper plant, Green onions, and peppers

 10/4/15 - 3rd row...Ground cherry tomatoes, Red Russian Kale, Swiss Chard and Curled Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - 3rd row...Ground cherry tomatoes, Red Russian Kale, Swiss Chard and Curled Scotch kale

 10/4/15 - Dino kale Christmas-Treed up

10/4/15 - Beets...mm some went in my soup this evening. Nothing like pink soup

Ground cherry tomato Salsa

Ingredients-

• 3 large red tomatoes
• 2 cups of cherry tomatoes
• 3/4 cup of ground cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 red onions
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 2 Chinese 5 color hot peppers
• 1 lemon
• cilantro (I didn't have any but this is usually an essential for my salsa!) 

Recipe - 

Chop up the onion into very small pieces. Roughly chop up the large tomatoes. Add all other ingredients and blend. Salsa is ready to eat! Store in fridge. Store in jar. Be sure to shake before opening and serving, it tends to separate, especially with juicy fresh tomatoes. 

Deviled Eggs

Ingredients - 

• A dozen Eggs
• 3 Tbsp Vegenaise
• 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
• 1/4 tsp dill
• Green onion tops
• celery
• Roasted paprika

Directions - 

Heat the eggs in a pot of water just covering the eggs. Bring to a boil, then let boil for two minute. Turn off the heat and cover for 10 minutes. Immediately place eggs in ice water. Once cool, peal and cut into half. Empty yokes into a bowl and mash with a fork. In another bowl combine the Vegenaise, dijon mustard, dill, green onion and celery. Be sure to chop the onion tops and celery into very small bits. Mix together well, then add to the mashed up yokes. Mix until smooth.  Add the mixture to a plastic sandwich bag and cut a small hole into the corner. Squirt enough yoke mix into each egg white. Top with paprika and it's ready to eat! Store in fridge. 

Cucumber Salad

Ingredients-

• 5 Cucumbers
• 1/2 red onion
• 5 Tbsp Vegenaise
• 1 tsp dill
• 3 tsp sugar
• dash of salt
• 1/2 tsp vinigar

Directions-

Slice the cucumbers into thin slices and lightly sprinkle with salt. (optional drain liquid from cucumber). Chop up the onion into very small pieces. Grind the sugar and add it to a bowl with the Vegenaise, dill, and  vinegar. Mix the sauce until well blended and add the red onion. Pour the mixture over the cucumber and mix in well. Let sit in fridge for at least half an hour. Lasts over a week in fridge. I usually keep adding fresh cucumber to the sauce so it lasts continuously.
The access sauce makes for a great salad dressing or sandwich dip.

Garden update & harvest 9/20/15

 9/20/15 - Lots of Ground cherry tomatoes

 9/20/15 -Red Russian kale

 9/20/15 - Dino kale and Swiss Chard

 9/20/15 - Dino kale and Chinese cabbage

 9/20/15 - Basil

  9/20/15 -Giant Green onions

  9/20/15 -Today's Harvest...Giant Green onions, Ground Cherry tomatoes, Gold Berries tomatoes, 8 tomatoes and basil

 9/20/15 - Plenty of Giant Green onions