Here are some of my favorite quotes from his holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. (I still wish I could have seen him speak at USC last week!)
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.
There is a saying in Tibetan, "Tragedy should be utilized as a source of strength."
No matter what sort of difficulties, how painful experience is, if we lose our hope, that's our real disaster.
Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.
Self-discipline, although difficult, and not always easy while combating negative emotions, should be a defensive measure.
It is necessary to help others, not only in our prayers, but in our daily lives. If we find we cannot help others, the least we can do is to desist from harming them.
Sometimes one creates a dynamic impression by saying something, and sometimes one creates as significant an impression by remaining silent.
Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.
If you have fear of some pain or suffering, you should examine whether there is anything you can do about it. If you can, there is no need to worry about it; if you cannot do anything, then also there is no need to worry.
The important thing is to realize the positive side and try to increase that; realize the negative side and try to reduce. That's the way.
Great love and great achievements involve great risk.
People should never sit alone for too long when they're crying.
Human happiness and human satisfaction must ultimately come from within oneself... Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.
To a large extent, whether you suffer depends on how you respond to a given situation.
