I like the phrasing "Always be sustained by cheerfulness" *. I am a naturally cheerful person, even though I sometimes feel very sad and pessimistic, but my cheerfulness usually wins at the end of the day. It is so interesting that the Buddhist teachers of old knew things we only now rediscover: that it is good for your mental and physical health to smile and to laugh. There are now studies that prove this: blood pressure, immune system and much more benefit from a smile. Sure, a war won't stop being horrific just because you smile, but neither will a frown change the situation. Being able to laugh lightens the burden.
Most of us don't live in a war zone, most of us just have to contend with noisy neighbors or grumpy coworkers or with bad weather or the fact that one has run out of milk. These things are peanuts. One might as well laugh at them and stop taking everything so seriously. I think the slogan is great advice.
* I tried to find the Padmakara translation, but I got lost in lots of Shambala titles. What is the book called? I'd really like to get it.
I like the phrasing "Always be sustained by cheerfulness" *. I am a naturally cheerful person, even though I sometimes feel very sad and pessimistic, but my cheerfulness usually wins at the end of the day. It is so interesting that the Buddhist teachers of old knew things we only now rediscover: that it is good for your mental and physical health to smile and to laugh. There are now studies that prove this: blood pressure, immune system and much more benefit from a smile. Sure, a war won't stop being horrific just because you smile, but neither will a frown change the situation. Being able to laugh lightens the burden.
Most of us don't live in a war zone, most of us just have to contend with noisy neighbors or grumpy coworkers or with bad weather or the fact that one has run out of milk. These things are peanuts. One might as well laugh at them and stop taking everything so seriously. I think the slogan is great advice.
* I tried to find the Padmakara translation, but I got lost in lots of Shambala titles. What is the book called? I'd really like to get it.