1. “If you truly loved yourself, you could never hurt another.”
In order to find true love, you need to love yourself first. Because it is only when you love yourself that you can find the reflection of that love in the eyes of another person. We are all spiritually connected and only when we realize about this unity we can create the possibility of devoting ourselves to other people.
2. “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.”
According to Buddha, if we try to seek happiness from outside we eventually end up disappointed. It is because everything outside is temporary and the satisfaction that we derive from external objects does not last long. Instead, we should try to find peace and love that reside naturally in the depths of our souls. Therein lies eternal perfection and completeness unlike that of the outside world. And when we are spiritually fulfilled we can offer ourselves truly in a relationship.
3. “Love the whole world as a mother loves her only child.”
The world would indeed have been a different place if everyone cared for the whole world as they did for their own family. We have to realize that not only our close ones, but the entire world deserves our love. If we can attain that, we’ll be living in a world where everyone helps everyone and spreads the circle of love.
4. “Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care, for people will hear them and be influenced by them for good or ill.”
Words once said cannot be taken back. We should use our words wisely when speaking to the ones we love. It takes no time to fly into rage and say something rash, but it is very difficult to repair a damaged relationship.
5. “Hatred does not cease through hatred at any time. Hatred ceases through love. This is an unalterable law.”
We should remember that when someone confronts us with harsh words, getting angry is not the only option available for us. There is a better way of going about things rather than reacting violently. Anger not only causes irreparable damage to a relationship but also increases misunderstandings further. Rather, if we choose to act calmly it would not only save a relationship but also strengthen the bond.
6. “Happiness will never come to those who fail to appreciate that which they already have.”
If we fail to seek happiness from what is already there with us and try to find happiness in things that are beyond our grasp, it is very unlikely that we would be ever successful in finding it. We should be grateful to people who are with us and try to find happiness by only being with them. But if we constantly live with the expectation of finding something better, we risk losing the ones we already have and would end up being alone.
