When we combine acceptance with self-responsibility we can then see that whenever we are in a painful or disturbing situation we have two choices: We can work compassionately to bring something positive to the situation or leave. However, the key is the mental stance that we make the choice from, and thus the first step is always accepting the moment without resistance.

I trust that no loving thought goes unnoticed, even when I do not see immediate gratitude or behavior changes in the other person.

If you believe you are an effect of the world around you - that your happiness is dependent on this thing or that person - then you are always going to be a victim of circumstance to one degree or another.

When the mind no longer sees itself as a body, forever in bondage to the body, the mind can be free and at peace even when we are physically sick.

The body can limit our ability to experience life to the fullest, especially if we identify ourselves as being only our bodies.

Most of us, if we are truly honest with ourselves, have an ever-evolving and ever-growing list of what we think we must change in order to be at peace or to be happy.

What if nothing needs to change other than our perception of what we see?