If we are not happy, if we are not peaceful, we can't share peace and happiness with others, even those we love, those who live under the same roof. If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.
Meaning
Your own peace and happiness affect everyone around you, so caring for your well-being also benefits your family and community.
About the author
Thích Nhất Hạnh (1926-2022) was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher and peace activist, known worldwide for popularizing mindfulness through books such as The Miracle of Mindfulness.
Why This Quote Matters
Rooted in Energy, this line from Thích Nhất Hạnh centers on Peace and what it asks of us. The weight of the line comes from Your own peace and happiness affect everyone around you, so caring for your well-being also benefits your family and community.
It holds up under pressure, which is a fair test for any idea like this. That’s usually enough to shift how a day unfolds.
How to Apply This Quote in Life
Revisit Energy at the end of each day, even in one sentence. Give it a fair trial before judging whether Peace actually fits your life.
Let the quote be a filter: say yes to what strengthens Peace, no to what erodes it. That’s a reasonable place to start, and a fine place to return to.
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