Upon seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching, discriminatory thoughts arise . . . (Click image for video)

Learn to be generous 

by observing those who are 

selfish. 

A selfish person puts his own interests, his own desires, his own suffering, before those of others. Self-absorbed, he often doesn’t notice others’ situations. Or, although seeing what’s happening, it’s as if others’ concerns don’t register with him.

Perhaps he’s too busy with personal matters to help someone else. Too frustrated with an issue unfolding at work that it doesn’t occur to him to smile at the waitperson who looks in need of a little kindness. So engrossed in increasing his net worth that he can’t bear to give any of it away. So arrogant that he thinks he worked darn hard to get what he has and others are just plain lazy.

Whatever the reason, the door to his heart has been firmly closed. What a sad way to live—suspicious, grasping, fearful. Observing this person, we can throw open the door to our heart and be the very opposite: trusting, generous, courageous.

We can be more like a bodhisattva.

Habits can be like the lingering fragrance of a perfume bottle. (Click image for video)

Graciousness: a timeless virtue.

Graciousness. What a lovely, old-fashioned word. It brings to mind ladies in hooped skirts and men in top hats out for a morning stroll through the park.

Yes, well, that’s an unfortunate image.

Why? Because graciousness is the unselfish offering of courtesy, being accommodating and kind, and respecting others and being at ease with oneself. It’s not a virtue we should ascribe to a past age. We need it today if there is to be a tomorrow.

Let’s fast-forward one of those couples to today. Fully kitted out for their morning jog, smartphones tucked into their armbands and earbuds in, our couple is busily making calls to get an early start on the day. In their world, and woefully in ours too, graciousness is not on the agenda.

Really?

There’s no time to let someone give his opinion before offering yours?

No time to let someone in line ahead of you? Compliment a co-worker on a job well done? Play with your child? No time?

There’s always time for the things we want to do. Always.