The real friend is he or she who can share all our sorrows and double our joys.  B. C. Forbes quotes I would like to explain the meaning of compassion, which is often misunderstood. Genuine compassion is based not on our own projections and expectations, but rather on the rights of the other: irrespective of whether another person is a close friend or an enemy, as long as that person wishes for peace and happiness and wishes to overcome suffering, then on that basis we develop genuine concern for his or her problem. This is genuine compassion. Usually when we are concerned about a close friend, we call this compassion. This is not compassion; it is attachment. Even in marriage, those marriages that last only a short time do so because of attachment although it is generally present but because there is also compassion. Marriages that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause ones projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation. It is possible to have compassion without attachment and similarly, to have anger without hatred. Therefore we need to clarify the distinctions between compassion and attachment, and between anger and hatred. Such clarity is useful in our daily life and in our efforts towards world peace. I consider these to be basic spiritual values for the happiness of all human beings, regardless of whether one is a believer or a nonbeliever. Dalai Lama quotes If one keeps loving faithfully what is really worth loving, and does not waste one's love on insignificant and unworthy and meaningless things, one will get more light by and by and grow stronger. Sometimes it is well to go into the world and converse with people, and at times one is obliged to do so, but he who would prefer to be quietly alone with his work, and who wants but very few friends, will go safest through the world and among people. And even in the most refined circles and with the best surroundings and circumstances, one must keep something of the original character of an anchorite, for other wise one has no root in oneself; one must never let the fire go out in one's soul, but keep it burning. And whoever chooses poverty for himself and loves it possesses a great treasure, and will always clearly hear the voice of his conscience; he who hears and obeys that voice, which is the best gift of God, finds at least a friend in it, and is never alone. Vincent Van Gogh quotes You do not know how much they mean to me, my friends, and how, how rare and strange it is, to find in a life composed so much of odds and ends... to find a friend who has these qualities, who has, and gives those qualities upon which friendship lives. How much it means that I say this to you-- without these friendships-- life, what cauchemar! T.S. Eliot quotes Most people think I'm too quiet and too nice... and then there's the people that really know me. I don't talk much around most people, but I'm completely different around my friends. I just can't talk to some people... I guess that's just how I am. Anonymous quotes Follow the example of Beth Graham, the envy of all the girls in my summer camp. It seemed every guy at camp wanted to be Beth's boyfriend. None of the girls could figure it out. Beth wasn't exactly the supermodel type: She had braces and a prominent nose, a flat chest, and big thighs. It took me an entire summer of watching Beth closely to figure out why all the guys liked her so much: She had incredible self-confidence. She didn't seem the least bit insecure about her decidedly average looks. In fact, she seemed proud. Because she was so comfortable with herself, others felt comfortable around her...So instead of beating yourself up because your hips and thighs are too full, try not to focus too much on the way you look. If Beth Graham...could do it, so can you! Anonymous quotes As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relations with this best and truest friend of mankind, that his image is not only no longer terrifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling! And I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness. Anonymous quotes In the summer I have this friend who I am closest to, and sometimes, in the winter, I long to call her up and say, come here and live with me, in this cold place. But we are summer friends. There is a rule it seems, that summer friends don't get together in the wintertime. Now, sitting here, waiting for her, I realize that I have never seen her in a winter coat, and for some reason that makes me sadder than anything else in the world. Anonymous quotes Just when you think that a person is just a backdrop for the rest of the universe, watch them and see that they laugh, they cry, they tell jokes...they're just friends waiting to be made. Anonymous quotes Everytime I hold you I begin to understand, that everything about you tells me you're my best friend. Anonymous quotes |
