Something to Ponder

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death, 1 would be near birth
1 would have a college education
1 would own a computer

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent.
The following is also something to ponder...
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you can read this message you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

Personal Philosophies

The following philosophies are what I genuinely try to live my life by
I have compiled them from various sources over several years and they have honestly helped me to keep my life in perspective.

Every minute of your life is another chance to turn it all around.
Never let what has happened in the past affect what happens in the future. Life is too short.
It's better to regret something that you have done than to regret something that you haven't done.
When you really need a beer, have a beer.
Be thankful for what you have. There is always someone worse off than you.
Always have something to look forward to.
Always do your best, it's the best that you can do.
Never sell out your principles.
Anger only serves to upset yourself. When you feel yourself getting angry, ask yourself if it's really worth it.
Every moment of your life spent stressed, worried, angry or vengeful is a moment of your life that is forever wasted.
Nothing is worth worrying about much and most things aren't worth worrying about at all.
When you have a problem, deal with it immediately. Dwelling will only serve to upset you and make the problem seem much larger than it really is.
You will acheive immortality simply by passing your ideas, dreams, hopes and philosophies to the next generation.
Every person, animal and plant is simply a random fluctuation in the universe. Do your best to turn your fluctuation into a variable.
Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself.
Care for the environment. Nature is the most beautiful and breathtaking art that the world posesses. Treasure it.
When you see a homeless person or a charity collection, ask yourself who needs the money most - you or them. That should be the only question that you consider.
We are defined by our friends. Choose carefully.

Lessons from the Dalai Lama

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, respect for others, responsibility for all your actions.
Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
Spend some time alone every day.
Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.
Live a good, honorable life. Then, when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.
A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.
Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.
Be gentle with the earth.
Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.