perfectly timed

milagro, originally uploaded by emdot.

Today's dharma thought fits in perfectly with the story I posted yesterday. :)

Because the law of karma is inevitable and infallible, whenever we harm others, we are directly harming ourselves, and whenever we bring them happiness, we are bringing ourselves future happiness. The Dalai Lama says:

“If you try to subdue your selfish motives—anger and so forth—and develop more kindness and compassion for others, ultimately you yourself will benefit more than you would otherwise. So sometimes I say that the wise selfish person should practice this way. Foolish selfish people are always thinking of themselves, and the result is negative. Wise selfish people think of others, help others as much as they can, and the result is that they too receive benefit.”

— Sogyal Rinpoche

Perfect timing on that one for myself as well. I think there is someone in my life right now who I am really bugging. I think they may slightly hate me. Okay. Maybe not hate. But I can just tell how much I'm bugging them.

But what can I do about it? What can anyone do about it? Seriously, there is nothing you can do except be yourself and maybe not talk so much. Which I try. Very hard. (But I'm a talker. I know I know.)

And there is a little part of me that gets defensive. And maybe wants to not like them as much as I did before (but the problem is, is that I do genuinely like this person.). Anyway... this reminded me, must not get sucked into trap of defensive not-liking-back.

Good lord, sometimes I sound like I'm 14.

Meanwhile... spread the love people. Spread the love. It benefits others. It benefits you.