It has been way too long since I’ve posted any thoughts on this blog!  It appears I have been “sucked into the hairball” of corporate life.  The gravitational pull is very strong, and I will need to fight hard to find balance. 

 

This morning I was inspired to share some thoughts on reading I was doing on the Dalai Lama’s web page http://www.dalailama.com/page.18.htm  .  This quote was mentioned on his page, and it hit home for me:

 

“The more the practitioner engages in activities and thoughts that are focused and directed toward the fulfillment of others’ well-being, the fulfillment or realization of his or her own aspiration will come as a by-product without having to make a separate effort.”

– Je Tsong Khapa, Great Exposition of the Path to Enlightenment

 

In my life I have found this to be true.  When I begin to focus solely on my own well-being, my own success, my own ego – it is not very satisfying.  In fact, the results are often contrary to what I had been hoping for.  When, however, I focus on the good of others – great things happen for me.

 

Each morning I wake up and state my intention for that day.  That intention is always to make a positive difference in someone’s life.  I do my best to stay focused on that intention during my interactions throughout the day.  When I go to bed each night I reflect back, “Did I make a positive difference in someone’s life today?”  It is uplifting to consider that someone else is in a better place, simply from an interaction we had during the day – be it a conversation, sharing advice, participating in training, sharing a communication, etc.

 

With the gravitational pull of the “hairball of life,” which is especially strong in a corporate setting, one must be more conscious of the original intention for the day.  I sometimes need reminders to help me stay on the path and not get distracted.  I have some quotes hanging on my bulletin board posted near my computer monitor.  I have books on my guest table that are “healthy reading.”  I sometimes wear a piece of jewelry with a spiritual meaning, like my silver Buddha, to serve as a visual reminder of my life intention.

 

What are you doing to lead a productive and fulfilling life?  What is your daily intention?  What reminders do you use to stay on the path?