We all appear to have an inbuilt ability to feel sorry for ourselves. Sometimes it seems we have problem after problem, and think the world is against us. But we can all take a step back and look at our situation compared to others, and the chances are that there are millions of people in much worse circumstances.
In Buddhist terms, the effects in our lives are the result of causes we make along our way, it’s called Karma. Whilst it is difficult sometimes, to reconcile ourselves with the fact that we have, in some way caused our own problems, it is important to remember that we are not being punished.
So when you have had enough of your troubles, and are ready to throw in the towel, just take time to look around and realise that there is always someone worse off somewhere. Be grateful for what you have, and concentrate on making causes for the effects you need to improve the situation. To do anything else is to lack wisdom, courage and compassion towards yourself, and that doesn’t help anyone, least of all you.
I know that my Buddhist practice has changed the way I interact with everything and everyone in my own personal Universe.
As one of my recent posts said, having the wisdom and courage to make a difficult decision is to be admired and saluted. Even though that decision might be painful, if it is made for the right reasons, it should never be regretted.
Do not become depressed or downhearted. Do not dwell on every tiny setback in the course of pursuing your chosen path. To do so would be foolish.
A man was offered the chance to visit Heaven and Hell. Upon entering Hell he was greeted by the sight of an infinitely long room filled with tables laden with the finest of foods, meat, fruit, wine and all manner of delicacies. But around the tables sat groups of starving people, crying out in their hunger. He realised that each person was holding a spoon, but the spoons were so long that they were unable to feed themselves.
Do you remember the day you mastered the art of riding a bicycle? Of course you do. For me, it was the culmination of a rather lengthy, and very frustrating process, and but for the perseverance of my father, I might never have learned at all.
When bad things happen to us, events that we can’t explain, there is a tendency to blame fate, bad luck or coincidence. It is perhaps more comfortable to believe that when something goes wrong, we are at the beck and call of forces unknown and unseen.
No matter the situation, make sure that the last thing you say is not something, you or the person you say it to, will regret for the rest of your lives.
Once upon a time, there was a general who was leading his army into battle against an enemy ten times the size of his own.
The Search For Enlightenment 
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