Wisdom from China

(Translated from Chinese)
Because none of us have many years to live, and we can't take along anything when we go, so we don't have to be too thrifty...

Spend the money that should be spent, enjoy what should be enjoyed, donate what you are able to donate, but don't leave all to your children or grandchildren, for you don't want them to become parasites who are waiting for the day you will die!!

Don't worry about what will happen after we are gone, because when we return to dust, we will feel nothing about praises or criticisms. The time to enjoy the worldly life and your hard earned wealth will be over!

Don't worry too much about your children, for children will have their own destiny and should find their own way. Don't be your children's slave. Care for them, love them, give them gifts but also enjoy your money while you can. Life should have more to it than working from the cradle to the grave!!

Don't expect too much from your children. Caring children, though caring, would be too busy with their jobs and commitments to render much help.

Your children take for granted that they are rightful heirs to your wealth; but that you have no claims to their money.

50-year old like you, don't trade in your health for wealth by working yourself to an early grave anymore... Because your money may not be able to buy your health...

Out of thousand hectares of good farm land, you can consume only three quarts (of rice) daily; out of a thousand mansions, you only need eight square meters of space to rest at night.

So, as long as you have enough food and enough money to spend, that is good enough. You should live happily. Every family has its own problems. Just do not compare with others for fame and social status and see whose children are doing better, etc., but challenge others for happiness, health, enjoyment, quality of life and longevity...

Don't worry about things that you can't change because it doesn't help and it may spoil your health.

You have to create your own well-being and find your own place of happiness. As long as you are in good mood and good health, think about happy things, do happy things daily and have fun in doing, then you will pass your time happily every day.

One day passes without happiness, you will lose one day.
One day passes with happiness, and then you gain one day.

In good spirit, sickness will cure; in a happy spirit, sickness will cure faster; in high and happy spirits; sickness will never come.

With good mood, suitable amount of exercise, always in the sun, variety of foods, reasonable amount of vitamin and mineral intake, hopefully you will live another 20 or 30 years of healthy life of pleasure.

Above all, learn to cherish the goodness around... and FRIENDS... They all make you feel young and "wanted"... without them you will surely feel lost!!

Source: unknown

Vajrayana Teaching Part 12

Part three: Transforming Problems into Spiritual Path

a) THE PRINCIPALS AND THE APPLICATION OF BUDDHIST MIND-TRAINING METHODS TO DAILY LIFE

Now that we understand the essential points of the three principal aspects of the path, seek solitude, enhance the power of diligence and strive to accomplish ultimate goal the buddhahood as quickly as possible.  Indirectly, it is an advice to all of us who learn, listen, contemplate and meditate.

The Path to enlightenment begins with cutting off yearning for samsaric joy and cultivate the mind (tame the mind) of renunciation.  However, renunciation without bodhicitta will not bring maximum benefit to ourselves and others. Realising that all sentient beings are suffering in samsara and the best way to help them is to train ourselves to attain buddhahood is generating bodhicitta mind.

Even if we have generated renunciation and bodhicitta but if we have not realized the wisdom understanding the nature of emptiness ie of dependent origination, we cannot cut the root of samsaric existence.

Renunciation, bodhicitta and wisdom realizing emptiness for the Three Principal Aspects of the Path (to Enlightenment).

Reflection

1) Impermanence:  The Buddha said all produced phenomena are impermanent. ie. things that come about from causes and conditions do not last.

2) Hardships help us to renounce suffering and the things that led to clinging to sorrow.  When face with problem, reflect on karma, we planted the cause, so no need to blame others and dont repeat the mistake.  We may have committed the mistake through any of the three doors: body, speech or mind.  But until the seed ripens the results can be avoided.  Minimise the negative actions by doing more positive actions.

3) Karma :  Karma is impermanent; its a dependent arising. Karma is within our control but take time and effort.  Therefore, negative karma can be neutralized by purification and good karma can be burned by hatred before it gives the result.  Some good karma that we create may not necessarily give us the results because they have been wasted by hatred. Negative karma gives you a negative life, but the suffering caused by negative karma also purifies the karma that provided the miserable conditions. Those are recognition which brings regret. Regret  makes you not repeat.  Finally you apply the remedy.

Karmic-Broom: The Buddha have constant, continuous good things happening to them because that is the constant continuation of positive karma.  When you reach the third stage of the second path, the stage of patience, you cease to produce the negative karma that brings rebirth in the lower realms.  On the third path, the path of seeing, when you see reality and everything you do becomes uncontaminated, positive karma.  Enlightenment is the result of positive karma and suffering is the result of negative karma.  So everything is a karmic result.

b) Tonglen: is Tibetan for 'Giving & Taking (or Sending & Receiving).  It refersto a meditation practice. One visualizes taking onto oneself the suffering of others on the in-breath and on the out-breath giving happiness and success to all sentient beings.  As such it is a training in altruism (selflessness).

Function of practice is to:

1) reduce selfish attachment

2) increase a sense of Renunciation

3) create positive Karma by giving & helping

4) develop & expand loving-kindness & bodhicitta.

The practice of tonglen involves all the 6-Perfections:

1) Giving (Dana)

2) Morality/Ethics

3) Joyous Effort

4) Patience, tolerance, acceptance

5) Concentration

6) Wisdom

These are the practices of a Bodhisattva.

HH Dalai Lama said this technique: whether meditation really helps others or not, it gives us peace of mind.

How can we help all sentient beings?

To attain the Buddhahood, a practitioner motivated by Bodhicitta need to train himself properly in the Mahayana path, otherwise it is impossible to attain Buddhahood.  Attainment of Buddhahood (complete & supreme attainment) is the greatest benefit one can achieve through correct usage of this precious human birth.

Because when we achieve that state of complete enlightenment (Buddhahood) we will enjoy infinite wisdom, infinite miraculous feats, infinite energy and accomplishments.

Master Hsing Yun

New Year's Message by Master Hsing Yun

The Buddhist Channel, Jan 5, 2014

Taipei, Taiwan -- As we celebrate Fo Guang Shan’s 48th anniversary, I myself would also be turning 88 years old. Looking back to a life that involved much traveling, I can truly feel the following to be true, “Hope and a bright future come with willingness to reach out.” In time of the new spring, I wish you every success with your life and career pursuits. May you be like the noble steed which gallops into a bright future. Keep striving forward, hope is right ahead of you!

Ever since Fo Guang Shan was founded, I have been succeeded by Ven. Hsin Ping, Ven. Hsin Ting, and Ven. Hsin Pei as the Head Abbot. Last March, the Inaugural Ceremony of Fo Guang Shan’s 9th Abbot and Dharma Transmission Ceremony for the 49th Generation of the Linji School was held with Ven. Hsin Bao as the new Head Abbot, and with Ven. Hui Chuan, Ven Hui Lun, Ven. Hui Kai, Ven. Hui Zhao, and Ven. Hui Feng as Deputy Abbots.
 
It brings me much assurance and comfort to see the new leader of the Fo Guang Shan Order elected by system. My words for them were that Fo Guang Shan is humanistic, is open, is about team effort, and depends on a heritage. It is the entire order’s duty to create a new future, build a new milestone, and disseminate Humanistic Buddhism in every part of the world. On the same day, 72 monastics from all Five Continents including Ven. Ming Guang, Director of the Buddhist Association of Taipei, and Ven. Jing Yao, Director of the China International Offering Ceremony to All Buddhas became the Dharma Descendants.
 
Last year, after I completed Buddhist Affinities Across One Hundred Years under the invitation of Academia Historica, I continued my narrations and published a new edition in April. The new book set consists of 160 million characters in Chinese, a total of 16 volumes that come with a collection of 1,600 pictures. The book launch took place at the National Taiwan Library in Taipei. Later in October, the Simplified Chinese edition was also published in China by Beijing’s SDX Joint Publishing Company. For the book launch, I was invited to the National Library of China in Beijing, where I also gave a talk on “Seeing the Power of Dreams.”

As I look back on my life, everything still appears so real, and what I am most grateful for are the blessings given by the Buddha and everybody. Having witnessed the wars, I truly feel that peace is so hard to come by, thus is very precious. If it were not for the Dharma, how could I have remained strong and faithful despite being separated from loved ones? Especially after all these years of devotion to the establishment and development of Fo Guang Shan and the Buddha Memorial Center, my emotions towards the Buddha has only become more sentimental. For this reason, I had written a poem, “Dear Buddha, Where Are You?” to express my feelings towards 80 years of searching for the Buddha’s whereabouts. As has been said, “The world is but a creation of the mind, so is the Dharma realm. Even into the infinite future, the Buddha will always be in my heart.” May every affectionate Buddhist be able to establish a heart-to-heart connection with the Buddha.
 
In light of the importance of Humanistic Buddhism to the future development of Buddhism, the FGS Institute for Humanistic Buddhism was established last March, and co-organized the Academic Conference on the Practice and Theory of Humanistic Buddhism with the Center for Chinese Cultural Research Institute of Nanjing University. During my plenary speech, I expressed my hope for Humanistic Buddhism to be recognized as what Buddhism is: something that symbolizes happiness, peace, joy, and equality. May everyone work together to enable Buddhism regain its original intent.
 
Fo Guang Shan has always placed a great emphasis on education. My ideal is not just to establish a school, but to establish a good school. Last January, Dr. Ling Tsong-ming, former Deputy Minister of Education took the post of president at Nanhua University. When he invited me to speak at the teacher and student training camp, I reminded them of the university’s objective: to live righteously, think openly, act morally, and learn diversely. It is hoped that while acquiring knowledge, they will also understand the importance of enriching themselves spiritually.
 
Other than the above, I was also invited by Fo Guang University’s president Dr. Yung Chaur-shin to the “102 National Conference of University and College Presidents”, which was also attended by President Ma Ying-jeou and over 100 university and college presidents. I have great expectations in Fo Guang University to become the world’s top center for Buddhist studies. In addition, with much gratitude to Dr. Wu Chin-shun, former University of the West president, the university has developed consistently, and received new leadership in June from Dr. Stephen Morgan. I also have good news to share with you all, that is, approval has been granted by the Philippine Board of Education to establish the Lokavid University.
 
This will be the 5th university of Fo Guang Shan, and will focus on humanities, art, and Buddhist studies.
 
I never went to school, and never saw a school during my younger days, however, with much gratitude to the support given by many, last year, Shandong University, Wuhan University, and Renmin University of China each conferred an honorary doctorate to me.
 
In addition, Macau University and National Chung Cheng University also conferred an honorary doctorate in humanities, and social sciences respectively. According to my disciples, I have so far received such an honor from 14 universities. Feeling undeserving for all of these, I nevertheless hope to inspire people by telling them that even if they don’t have a chance for education, they must not give up on themselves. We do not have to rely on others to learn; as long as we learn with our ears, and think, our efforts will surely enable us to improve.
 
Other than the above,I also had the opportunities to visit various universities, colleges, and institutes. Last year, I was invited to lecture at Beijing’s National Museum of China, Tianjin Library, Wulanqiate Grand Theater in Inner Mongolia, China Taiyuan Coal Transaction Center, National Library of China, Zhong Shan Memorial Hall in Guangzhou, Zhudao Guest House, and the Yangzhou Forum. I also lectured at the Hainan Broadcasting Group on “Happiness and Peace”; Shandong University on “Heaven, Earth, and Humans”; Renmin University of China on “How to Rediscover Ourselves” ; and at Nanhua Temple’s Caoxi Forum on “A Buddhist’s Dreams.”
 
On a different note, last February, I was invited to visit Beijing with Lian Chan, Honorary Chairman of the Kuomingtan, along with a group from Taiwan. Inside the Great Hall of the People, I was one of the three representatives to speak on behalf of the group during a meeting with Xi Jingping, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. During the meeting, I proposed that other than political and economic exchanges between the two sides of the Strait, cultural and educational exchanges could also be enhanced. After that, I presented my calligraphy to Xi, which says “Rise High Above, and Look Far Ahead.”
 
Not long after that, I also met with Hu Jintao, President of the People’s Republic of China, and then Jian Zhemin, former President of the People’s Republic of China in Yangzhou. People said that I am the first Buddhist monk to meet with three generations of China’s leaders. Nevertheless, my only intent in such an accomplishment is for leaders from both sides to place greater value on the Chinese culture and Buddhism’s influence on purifying human minds, so that Buddhism can contribute to greater peace and happiness for the nation, society, and the people.
 
In March, I was awarded Lifetime Achievement Award for Most Influential Chinese by the 7th Most Influential Chinese People’s Award co-organized by Phoenix Satellite Television and over 10 Chinese media companies.
 
In April, I received invitation to attend the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2013, where I met with Liu Changle, CEO of Phoenix Satellite Television again and spoke on “The Strength of Honesty and Integrity” together. After that, I was at the Asia & Culture, Health & Tourism Roundtable hosted by Jian Xiaosong. Initiated by 28 countries and attended by leaders of over a dozen countries, this world economic and trade summit was integrated with topics related to humanities.
 
From this, we can see that no matter how our environment changes, how fast the economy grows, or how much our materialistic life is fulfilled, people still hope to enrich their spirituality by turning to faith in order to find reliance for the heart.
 
In October, I was awarded the World Ecological Safety Award by the United Nations Ecological Safety Collaborative Organization Executive Committee, and then the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 11th Annual Global Views Business Forum, which was awarded by President Ma Ying-jeou. CCTV in Beijing has also awarded “The Brilliance of China--Choice for Chinese Culture Promoter of the Year” to me recently.
 
Such honor belongs to all Buddha’s Light members; I was only the receiver of their behalf. Without the Buddha’s blessings and everyone’s support, all the achievements today would not have been possible.
 
Throughout last year, my One-Stroke Calligraphy was subsequently exhibited in the museums of Hainan, Tianjin Beijing, Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu, Xian, Henan, Guandong, and Yunan. In particular, the local media informed me that I was the first Buddhist monk to ever hold an exhibition at the National Museum of China. I owe this to the support of many who have allowed me to develop affinities with the world through my One-Stroke Calligraphy. 
 
In October, in order to fundraise for Da Jue Temple’s Sutra Repository, a charity auction was hosted by Yang Lan, Chairperson of the Sun Culture Foundation, Cui Yongyuan, CCTV host, and Zhou Libo, Shanghai Style Small Talk Stand-up Comedian. For the charity, I had donated all the gifts I have received across the years, and there were also people who came for my One-Stroke Calligraphy. I find joy in that people are able to look beyond my writing and see my heart, and are willing to contribute by accumulating merits for themselves and leaving wisdom behind as their family legacy.
 
Other than the above, the 5-day International Vegetarian Expo held at Da Jue Temple in Yixiang attracted a crowd of 300,000; while at Jian Zhen Library in Yangzhou for the first time, the Expo also attracted a crowd of 180,000. This turnout was far beyond Yangzhou government’s expectations, and gave them new perspectives on the influence of vegetarianism. The Yangzhou Evening News even published an article on “The Positive Energies of Volunteers Exhibited at the Vegetarian Expo” to praise the spirit, the well-organized manner, and the demeanors of volunteer workers from Taiwan. The Vegetarian Expo not only enhanced Cross-Strait exchanges, but also promoted healthy eating and peace, which was indeed a “win-win” outcome.
 
In order to fulfill my promise to return to Singapore and Malaysia, in November, I visited again the Stadium Melawati Shah Alam in Malaysia, and held the “The Refuge-taking and Five Precepts Ceremony cum Prayer for the Public” inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Seeing more than 20,000 youth’s faith and enthusiasm at the Marvellous Malaysia Buddhist Cultural & Dharma Blessing Function 2013, shows much hope for the future of Buddhism.
Additionally, the ceremony in Singapore was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In his speech, Lee expressed his admiration in BLIA members who have offered selfless services while overcoming religious and racial differences. As a token of appreciation for his kind words, I presented my One-Stroke Calligraphy which says “Embrace the World with Your Heart” to him.
 
The Buddha Memorial Center has celebrated its 3rd anniversary now. Each year, a total number of 12 million visitors is attracted to the center, which, compared to the annual visitor’s number of 8 million at the Louvre in Paris, has become an alternative “miracle” in Taiwan.
 
Last year alone, the Buddha Memorial Center hosted various international conferences, Buddhist Wedding and Bodhi Couple Vow Renewal Ceremony, Buddhist Hymn Concert, Taiwanese opera performances, and children’s dramas. There were also the “Humanity and Love - Touring Exhibition of Li Zijian Oil Paintings”; “Buddhist Art Along the Silk Roads: Light Shines on the Universe” co-held by 16 museums in China; “None Other Than Compassion – 26 Years of Lazurite Exploration in the World by Yang Hui-shan and Chang-yi”; and “Life Protection Paintings by Master Hongyi and Feng Zhikai” by the Cross-Strait Cultural Heritage Festival.

In September, the 2013 Fo Guang Shan International Book Fair was organized by the Kaohsiung government and hosted by the Buddha Memorial Center. Mayor Chen Chu attended the Book Fair by hosting a story-telling session for the children. On the other hand, Professor Charles H.C. Kao, founder of Commonwealth Publishing Group, organized the 2nd Hsing Yun’s World Forum, during which Nobel Prize for Literature winner, Mo Yan, gave a speech on “A Literary Writer’s Dream.”
 
Furthermore, a marathon that linked the Buddha Memorial Center to Mount Beatitude not only presented the message of love, but also commemorated the respectable Cardinal Paul Shan S.J.. Producer Liu Jia-Chang also held a three day “It’s Great to Have You: Liu Jia-chang Concert,” where the proceeds went to cultural and educational projects. There was also a “Buddha and Gods Gathering” to promote interfaith harmony as well as the diversity of the Chinese culture. Such wonderful and joyful happenings take place at the Buddha Memorial Center every day. I believe that education and culture will exert greater influences to the world and will allow people to see the truthfulness, goodness, and beauty of Humanistic Buddhism.
 
For 5 consecutive years, we have organized the National Buddha’s Birthday and Mother’s Day Celebration on Ketagalan Boulevard in front of the Presidential Office. This year, in order to respond to the World Book Day, FGS and BLIA Chunghwa donated more than a thousand titles with reference to Humanistic Buddhism to the universities and colleges of Taiwan. The donation ceremony was initiated by both President Ma Ying-jeou and myself. This was then extended to the National Library of China in Beijing, Beijing Normal University, Tsinghua University, and many others in hopes that the knowledge of reading can be spread far and wide.
 
Having taken more than a decade’s work, Encyclopedia of World Buddhist Art was finally completed last May. In these ten plus years, under Editor-in-Chief Ven. Ru Chang’s leadership, scholars and volunteers from around the world have helped collect, validate, edit, and proofread the data.
 
As fragile and impermanent as the world can be, unforeseeable natural disasters and manmade calamities occur very often. Last April, an earthquake measured at 7 on the Richter scale struck Yaan in Sichuan, China. In October, a 7.2 earthquake occurred in Cebu, Philippines. In November, Typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines. Each time, BLIA mobilized immediately to provide emergency relief aids. In particular, Mabuhay Temple in Manila established the “Typhoon Haiyan Disaster Center” to offer aids to the victims. At the same time, the Fo Guang Shan Academy of Art of the Philippines performed “Siddhartha – A Musical Journey to Enlightenment” in Manila, Los Angeles, and San Francisco to fundraise for the displaced people. May Buddha bless and comfort these people, and give them the strength to rebuild their homes and get back on their feet.
 
In August, one of Fo Guang Shan’s honorary benefactors, Pan Xiao-rui, passed away at the age of 93. Pan and I have been friends for more than half a century. Ever since the founding of Fo Guang Shan, he has unconditionally supported our endeavors in care for the old and young, emergency reliefs, temple construction, as well as education and cultural projects. He always kept a low profile and never boasted about his contributions. My unending gratitude to his kindness.
 
Over the past year, due to my continuously deteriorating physical body, I have had to visit the hospital on several occasions. Nevertheless, Dharma propagation is bigger than the self, so I have continued to give my best in following past masters’ steps by continuing to give Dharma talks, write calligraphy, receive guests, write books, ad teach. Yet, despite my efforts, my physical conditions are limited, with blurred eye-vision and hearing difficulty, and if I am no longer to oblige everyone’s wishes, all I can ask for is your forgiveness and understanding.
 
I dare not claim to have any profound understanding of the Dharma, but regarding the current situation of Buddhism as well as many popular misinterpretations of Buddhist terminology, I have had many realizations. For this reason, I will be giving a talk this year on the “New Interpretations of the Dharma” to share my experiences in the Dharma with you all.
 
In the coming New Year, I wish for everyone to: acquire firm faith, be your own mentor, stay strong in the face of adversity, and strive forward with courage.
 
May you be blessed with galloping hope, peace, and auspiciousness.
 
Hsing Yun
New Year’s Day, 2014
Founding Master's Office
English translation by: Ven. Miao Guang

Vajrayana Teaching Part 11

Continue Tantric teachings: 3 Principals Aspects of the Path/3 Higher Trainings:

C) SELFLESSNESS/EMPTY OF A SELF (EMPTINESS)

What is the essence/meaning of Selflessness or Emptiness?

The essence of emptiness is interdependence. One projects the other.

Emptiness will come out and show you that because of 'causes and conditions' are right, everything functions, everything exist.  That is the essence of interdependence.  Lets investigate.

Selflessness is a very mistaken idea in our culture.  Placing others before ourselves can be admirable.  In Tibetan Buddhism, Selflessness is the essential point.  It is to understand that this 'SELF' is just a labelling, a matrix of ideas conditioned into us by family, culture, society, personal experience and education.  This conditioning is the source of all our confusion about who we are in relationship to others.

Hence, the Buddhist instruction 'NO SELF', NO SUFFERING.  It is the grasping onto this illusion of 'Self/I' as who we are?  In Tibetan Buddhism 'Selflessness' is the 3rd liberation of the 4 Noble Truths that leads to the end of suffering.

As ordinary human being, we invest our sense of Self in impermanent qualities of Life (this is the 1st Truth): our appearance, capabilities, family origins, health, wealth, relationships, affiliations, status etc.  Because of this investment of our basic well-being, as all impermanent aspects of life change and dissappear we suffer (2nd Truth).  Through not investing our sense of self in this impermanence (selflessness), there is a way to be free of this suffering (3rd Truth) which leads to peace (4th Truth).  

In reality, all phenomena existing around us is absent of inherent existence, because each and everything surrounding us arise through depending on other phenomena.  Lets investigate how things exist through depending on others. For example, when we say 'short', the concept of short exist through depending on the concept of 'long'.  If the concept of long does not exist, then there could not be the concept of short.  Similarly, if we say 'high', the concept of high must exist by depending on the concept of 'low'.  Without the concept of low, how could there be the concept of high.  As long as each and every phenomena exists by depending on others (interdependance).

Reflect on Life Impermanence

Our mind has an ability of its own to create & to stretch phantom images of death.  The reason is the mind is not trained to see life with all its impermanence and unsatisfactoriness, is likely to cling to illusions just as a drowning man will cling even to a straw.

Antidote

Do some selfless service for the welfare of others to gain hope & confidence in the next life.  Altruism purges all selfish attachments.  Purity of mind & detachment from worldly things or at least minimise it will ensure a happy parting from this world.  It is the constant contemplation of death to understand the impermanence of life and the wisdom to correct the wrong way of living that take the fear out of death. 

Summary - 3 Higher Trainings of Mind

a) Ethics (Morality)

b) Compassion

c) Wisdom

These are the 3-Keys we can use for our life and we conduct our lives on that basis.

Results: Particularly the ethics, is the karmic point.  The result is what we were talking about as vajra body, vajra speech and vajra mind - the totally enlightened levels of body, speech and mind.  

The ordinary produces the result of the perfect vajra body as a result of practice and meditation on compassion.

The perfect mind is the result of practice and meditation on wisdom.

The combination, joining them together, is the result of morality.  Basically keep these 3 as a guideline for your life.  Its brings joy!  Thats how we can lead our life.  The other is allowing negative emotions to control YOU.  

Antidote: Act according to the directions of positive emotions and positive Mind. In principle, keep compassion as morally clean and apply wisdom. That is actually how you live your life and become very nice and happy.  By the time you actually have to go, you can go with dignity and nicely. That is karma combined together with the Four Noble Truths.

1st Truth: To know, to acknowledge and to recognize

2nd Truth: To avoid what causes suffering, not to entertain it.

3rd Truth: It is cessation, the introduction of the goal and the purpose of our life. It tells you what you can achieve.

4th truth: It shows you how to practice.  Practice means conducting your mind and your body functioning properly.

Contemplate: When the good things come in, its nothing to be very excited about. When the bad things come in, its not so much to be sad about, because the reality is, we are living in samsara.That is the nature of samsara. We want to get into Nibbana and be pure. Whatever happens in your life, take it as it comes. You have a choice!