Cultivate You

The Dalai Lama says there are two basic conditions from which we can hope to derive genuine happiness. The first is our basic attitude, the second being the actions we undertake in our pursuit of happiness. No external factor can create it. At first glance this seems far oversimplified but the more time I've had to ponder and put this advice into practice, the more it has come to truly resonate with me. 

How we wake up each morning and choose to approach the day is perhaps the single most decisive factor of how well that day will turn out. It's remarkable how going through the day with an optimistic, open, and compassionate state of mind allows you to continue to attract that energy. Even more significant perhaps is consciously making the decision to pursue actions which will contribute to long-term, meaningful happiness, consisting of peace and genuine satisfaction; not transient and fleeting bouts of pleasure and escape. The hectic lifestyle of Los Angeles can make it very easy to forget the lasting joy and contentment that comes along with cultivating a true sense of self. For myself that foremost includes cultivating compassion, patience, and discovering my genuine sources of happiness. In this city it is very easy to seek happiness in all the wrong places, but I believe it doesn't take more than a few years here before you begin to seek more wisely. Whether it be appreciating the fortune of having the beach and mountains minutes away from my home, enjoying the calm and mental silence I obtain from my yoga practice, or reveling in gratitude over the truly incredible group of friends I am lucky to be surrounded by, I am constantly reminded of what I value most in life.  

Realizing that our day-to-day habits play such a huge role in a lasting sense of contentment, and ultimately that it is our habits and thoughts which ingrain deeply to form our character is what lead me to this idea of "Cultivating You." One of my favorite quotes which has grounded me in this belief is the following: “Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.”