If you seek connection, it can be found in nature. This is a passage from The Radiance Sutras, translated by Lorin Roche.

The Dalai Lama calls for us to come together in spiritual dialogue—to recognize what we have in common. The natural world gives evidence of a force that lives around us and within us, connecting all of us.

How often do we invite silence into our day? Our distractions pull us apart, and silence helps us tune into a deeper connection to ourselves, others, and the universe.

When feeling low, it’s difficult to change our mental channel. Reciting a passage of hope out loud tells those voices that we are stronger. As Psalm 30 says, “rejoicing comes in the morning.”

When a loved one is sick, you adopt a mindset to help you cope and accept. Mine is “quid hoc ad aeternitatum,” which means, “what is this in light of eternity?” You make choices that are enduring and don’t waste time or energy on trivial matters.

Many people will engage in yoga for the physical benefits, particularly at first. Eventually it trains us to become more aware of when to press further, and when to ease up.

How often do we speak from the ego? Sometimes it’s best to choose silence, especially if our ego wants to “win” an argument or bring down someone else. James Allen writes about how those who have inner strength will choose silence over empty words.

Who are you outside of the labels and identities society has created? Who are you when you’re alone? You might have done self-examination several years ago, but you might have evolved. It’s important for us to be aware of how our reactions and perceptions affect others so we can continue to effect positive change in the world.

A lot of traditions note that we seek pleasure and avoid pain. This is common among many people. However, joy is something more deep-seated, rather than fleeting pleasure. Joy exists in both pleasure and pain because it connects us to something much more eternal. This passage is from Rufus Jones' "The Inner Life."

It’s important to seek help when we need it, but we have to put in the necessary effort ourselves. Escaping or demanding others to change won’t bring us closer to healing ourselves. We must do the inner work.