Friday, January 25, 2008

My Hero, The Dali Lama

The Dali Lama and The Three Commitments to Life

First - The promotion of human values such as compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, contentment and self-discipline. All human beings are the same. We all want happiness and do not want suffering. Even people who do not believe in religion recognize the importance of these human values in making their life happier. His Holiness refers to these human values as secular ethics. He remains committed to talk about the importance of these human values and share them with everyone he meets.

Second - The promotion of religious harmony and understanding among the world’s major religious traditions. Despite philosophical differences, all major world religions have the same potential to create good human beings. It is therefore important for all religious traditions to respect one another and recognize the value of each other’s respective traditions. As far as one truth, one religion is concerned, this is relevant on an individual level. However, for the community at large, several truths, several religions are necessary.

Third - The commitment to the Tibetan issue. His Holiness has a responsibility to act as the free spokesperson of the Tibetans in their struggle for justice. As far as this third commitment is concerned, it will cease to exist once a mutually beneficial solution is reached between the Tibetans and Chinese.

This is my hero... take a look and he'll soon be yours too

http://www.dalailama.com/

Stacey

Thursday, January 24, 2008

A Talk with My Daughter Addisen



Last night my 10-year-old daughter Addisen asked me who I was planning to vote for ... for President. I pondered this question briefly and then replied... Barack Obama. Her response to my answer was good. She smiled and said, "I didn't want you to say Hilary Clinton." What? I thought... Where had she come up with the idea that Hilary Clinton would not be a good choice. Could it have been our brief visit to my sisters house in Santa Rosa. Since she has spoken to the man herself... and since she is a Barackamite... or was it me? Anyway, the great thing about last night was that she was interested in who was going to be 'ruining'... I mean running our country. I was so inspired, so we talked a bit more about what we would ask the candidates and she said her two questions would be and I quote... "What are you going to do about the environment?" and "How are you going to stop the war in Iraq?". She made sure to tell me that she knew how to spell Iraq. This was great to hear. We talked for about 30 minutes. Discussing the next president, the environment and the war...


so for what it's worth...






Go Barack!!!!