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    “Almost universally, the traits or behaviors that have pissed us off in other people – their dishonesty, their selfishness, their laziness – are hardly going to work out well for them in the end.  Their ego and shortsightedness contains its own punishment.  The question we must ask ourselves is: Are we going to be miserable just because other people are?” ~ Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy

      “We tend to be on guard against negativity, against the people who are discouraging us from pursuing our callings or doubting the visions we have for ourselves.  This is certainly an obstacle to beware of, though dealing with it is rather simple.  What we cultivate less is how to protect ourselves against the validation and gratification that will quickly come our way if we show promise.  What we don’t protect ourselves against are people and things that make us feel good – or rather, too good.  We must prepare for pride and kill it early – or it will kill what we aspire to.  We must be on guard against that wild self-confidence and self-obsession.” ~ Ryan Holiday, Ego is the Enemy

        “Wherever I meet people, I always have the feeling that I am encountering another human being, just like myself.  I find it is much easier to communicate with others on that level.  If we emphasize specific characteristics, like I am Tibetan or I am Buddhist, then there are differences.  But those things are secondary.  If we can leave the differences aside, I think we can easily communicate, exchange ideas, and share experiences.” ~ Dalai Lama, The Art of Happiness

          “I spend so much time worrying about whether people will like and respect me in the years ahead, but there is nothing I can do to make that happen.  I can only work on liking and respecting myself and others, look for Spirit in each of us, and learn to accept inevitable frustration, fear, and anger without blaming myself or the external world.  My task is to stay centered, not manipulate others to make me feel ok.” ~ Robert Kull, Solitude

            “Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight.  Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward.  Your life will never be the same again.” ~ Og Mandino

              “You know, all that really matters is that the people you love are happy and healthy.  Everything else is just sprinkles on the sundae.” ~ Paul Walker