Happiness

"Whatever joy there is in this world, all comes from wanting others to be happy; and whatever suffering there is in this world, all comes from wanting oneself to be happy."

- Shantideva (8th century Buddhist poet)

I posted this quote a while back and personally speaking, I should paint it on the wall on my side of the bed. This way, every morning when I wake up, I'll see it and be reminded of it. Or maybe I should tattoo it onto my forehead and that way I'll see it every morning in the mirror. Because for me, the above quote couldn't be anymore truer. The happiest that I ever am comes from my efforts in wanting others to be happy. And the less conditional I make it, the better.

However, perspective always helps as well. I try to remind myself how fortunate we are to have the home that we have, the friends and family that we know and love, our fantastic dogs (even though they gobble shit), our relationship and our very lives.

Well, last week when I was feeling a little down because I was swimming in my self-absorption, my good friend Matthew wrote back to me after I expressed my slump and he said; "Whenever I feel depressed, I just think, Well, I could be K-Fed or Anna Nicole Smith - and then I feel much better." It made me burst out laughing and I thought, yes...He has a good point.

"Dude, I totally wish that I could pull my pants down further and show you my pubes, 'cause I think that they're really the shizzle."

"Yo, dawg."

"IIiiiaaaa aaammmmm...."

"Bbbeeaauuutttiiitthhhhhffffpppullll..."

"Hehehehe...hehehehe..."

"OOOOhhhhhhh...I'M HUNNNGGGRY!!!"

Okay, so I do feel really bad that her son died and was greatly saddened for her. However, these pics crack me up like nobody's business. And in searching for them and posting them, I have developed an odd, unanticipated affection for her. And I do feel better.

"Peace out, y'all..."