Life is made up of moments, situations where we experience happiness, fear, love and anger is also common a part of it. We invest a lot of time and emotions as we go through life on a daily basis and occasionally, we stumble across a fork in the road.
This is the fork where our values are tested, where our emotions run high. This is the point where we are given a choice between doing what’s right versus what’s easy, and often we find ourselves gravitating towards the latter . Why make things difficult, right?
It is always easier to choose what’s convenient for us in the moment, but when you stop to think about the BIG picture...our choices can easily affect others. The decisions we make can have an impact that goes beyond the situation.
In Buddhism, “The Eightfold Path” is made up of 8 key learnings. These include: Right View, Right Intent, Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood, Right Effort, Right Mindfulness and Right Concentration. Through self discovery, one can find a conscious path.
The Eightfold Path teaches that all lives are interconnected, that every decision and action we make affects all that surrounds us. So in turn, we are encouraged to act with compassion and consideration for all beings. As a Buddhist saying goes:
“Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.” – Udanavarga 5:18
Keep this in mind the next time you’re faced with difficult choices and it should hopefully enlighten you into making the correct decision, not only for yourself but to every being around you.
This requires strength.
Many ancient cultures looked to the mighty animals for wisdom in this connection to nature and all living things.
Buddhists revered elephants for their strength and mental preciseness. In Medieval History, elephants were greatly admired by war leaders. In Hinduism, the significant Lord Ganesh holds qualities of royalty, power, wisdom and stability.
If you need that extra push to get you moving in the right direction, we encourage you to try our Natural Blue Tourmaline Buddha and Elephant Charm Wrap Bracelet. Let Buddha’s guidance and the elephant’s determination guide you through any difficult choices you have to make, click here for more details!
Written by Angela Viernes, Edited by Puja Shah
