#sharethejoy

I, Olga promise to #sharethejoy SEE THE WORLD through joyful eyes TO find the beauty in everything Appreciate EVERYONE And let #HAPPINESS be my guide To hug strangers along the way. Hold clearly onto their stories and have the #COURAGE to let go of my own to find one another to feel and to let #JOY surround me. This is my pledge, join me!

No dark fate determines the future – we do. Each day and each moment, we are able to create and recreate our lives and the very quality of human life on our planet.
DALAI LAMA & DESMOND TUTU

Eight Pillars of Joy

4 Pillars of the Mind

Perspective

When you change the way you see the world, you change the world you see. For example, although the Dalai Lama was exiled from his own country, he’s happy to have the chance to travel the world and spread the word about compassion and kindness.

Humility

Humility connects us. Humility reminds us how we are all so dependent on each other. It reminds us of all the many factors that come into play. Humility frees us from the prison of me, to the freedom of we.

Humor

The author found both wise teachers to be just as much comedians as spiritual leaders. Some may even consider laughter and humor as indicators of spiritual development!

Here’s some funny meditation videos!

Acceptance

Acceptance is a practice of seeing the truth. If you’re feeling sad, you need to accept it. Deny the reality of your thoughts, feelings or situation is deny truth. From a place of truth, transformation can take place. From a place of denial, nothing really happens – life just keeps sending you the message until you see the reality for what it is.

Infographic on acceptance

4 Pillars of the Heart Forgiveness

Forgiveness

An eye for an eye will leave the world blind.

If we choose to retaliate to those that harmed us, the cycle of harm continues forever, but if we choose to forgive and let go, we break the cycle and heal, renewing or releasing the relationship.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean what was done was right. No. Forgiveness is about the wisest way to move forward.

Gratitude

Every day, think as you wake up, ‘I am fortunate to be alive, I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it.’

Following a Buddhist philosophy, you can even be grateful even for your enemies, as your most precious spiritual teachers.

More on gratitude

Compassion

All traditions carry the same message: the message of love.

Compassion is a sense of concern that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to see that suffering relieved.

Compassion is central to a joyful life for all.

7-day free Mindfulness and Compassion course

Generosity

It is in giving that we receive.

Generosity is hard wired into our brain to make you feel good – generosity connects.

You’ll feel much better giving a gift to someone else, than buying that gift for yourself. Don’t believe me? Try it! Bonus points if you can do it anonymously!