Optimism

After watching Michael J. Fox in his special on Optimism, I can say that his presentation was pretty good and Michael J. Fox brought to my attention that there is a country called Bhutan that has a GNH (Gross National Happiness).  I never knew that so now I'm sharing with you all an inspiring article I found about Bhutan and their way of thinking  

(Needless to say that Michael J. Fox is a living optimist and great example for us all.)

Journalist: Any message, advice and instructions to the people of Bhutan?

His Eminence Khamtrul Rinpoche Jigme Pema Nyinjadh of Bhutan: 

I have no advice as such but few thoughts and reflections to share. We all desire happiness but most of us actively follow the causes of unhappiness, and feel that qualities like compassion, forbearance, generosity, patience and appreciation, caring for others are only for the spiritual people like monks, lamas and practitioners but the reality of interdependence is that we have to give others happiness in order for ourselves to experience happiness. It is especially true for us human beings because most of our joy and suffering are very much dependent on how others relate to us.

Negative thoughts and actions never give personal happiness, neither to one's circle of friends and family or to the society at large. Anyway I am sure that reflections of our past actions, thoughts and experience will prove that.

Other than wisdom and compassion there is no true way of affecting a change in one's thoughts, perceptions and actions.