i listen to the wind, to the wind of my soul

feel the sunshine kiss your cheeks as the breeze whispers in your ear. close your eyes and for a moment, disappear. what are you waiting for? there's nothing here.

my religion is very simple. my religion is kindness.

so i'm going to go see the dalai lama talk in april, and i am so unbelievably excited. i mean excited like "i'm going on vacation" excited. i'm not exactly sure why i am this excited, but i think it's because wisdom and compassion are two areas that are very important in my life. not to mention there's no better person to hear from on these topics than the dalai lama himself.

"it is very important to generate a good attitude, a good heart, as much as possible. from this, happiness in both the short term and the long term for both yourself and others will come." - tenzin gyatso

that man is richest whose pleasures are cheapest

a long time ago, i met someone, and i had asked that person what he wanted from life. his response was so simple, so clear - just to be happy. at the time, i didn't understand. i mean i had just started college, and i wanted to be the editor of the paper, get into the undergraduate business program, run a painting company, get an internship in new york, get some job at some high profile company, become a vice president or something like that... happy? i thought that was a ridiculous goal. anyone could be happy. i wanted to be a somebody, a 'real' somebody, somebody who changes the world. but now, five and a half years later, i do understand. and there is no better answer to the question. it's not about the fancy car, the big house, the top rated school, the most selective job, the highest title or anything of the sort. it's about happiness, as simple as that. sadly, happiness is harder to come by than we realize. thankfully, i think i'm on the right track.

not too long ago, i met someone who gave me that same answer. i believe that people come in and out of our lives for certain reasons. his was to help me understand what i didn't years ago.

don’t forget to smile

"the broken clock is a comfort, it helps me sleep tonight.
maybe it can stop tomorrow from stealing all my time."

1) take a 10-30 minute walk every day. and while you walk, smile. it is the ultimate antidepressant.

2) sit in silence for at least ten minutes each day. buy a lock if you have to.

3) buy a tivo or dvr, tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4) when you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'my purpose is to ________ today.'

5) live with energy, enthusiasm and empathy.

6) watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did last year.

7) always pray and make time to exercise.

8) spend more time with people over the age of seventy and under the age of six.

9) dream more while you are awake.

10) eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11) drink green tea and plenty of water. eat blueberries, wild alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds and walnuts.

12) try to make at least three people smile each day.

13) clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14) don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15) realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class...but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16) eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17) smile and laugh more. it will keep the energy vampires away.

18) life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19) life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20) don't take yourself so seriously. no one else does.

21) you don't have to win every argument. agree to disagree.

22) make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23) don't compare your life to others'. you have no idea what their journey is all about.

24) ladies - go on and burn those 'special' scented candles, use the 600 thread count sheets, the good china and wear our fancy lingerie now. stop waiting for a special occasion. everyday is special.

25) no one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26) frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'in five years, will this matter?'

27) forgive everyone for everything.

28) what other people think of you is none of your business.

29) time heals almost everything. give time, time.

30) however good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31) your job won't take care of you when you are sick. your friends will. stay in touch with them.

32) get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33) envy is a waste of time. you already have all you need. God provides, remember?!

34) the best is yet to come.

35) no matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36) do the right thing.

37) call your family often.

38) each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: 'i am thankful for __________.' today i accomplished _________.

39) remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40) enjoy the ride. remember that this is not disney world and you certainly don't want a fast pass. you only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

live, love, laugh. life is a gift.

’wow your shorts are like especially gold today.’ ’my mom uses color safe bleach.’ ’go carol.’

i hope someday someone thinks the sun shines out of my ass. while i am waiting, maybe i should look into a career in gastroenterology.