I have always considered myself to be at least somewhat compassionate, patient and tolerant. Lately I have been even more conscious of these personal attributes, ever since I subscribed to a daily thought/quotation from the Dalia Lama on Facebook. After all how could one not want to start their day reading something like the following..

One of the most effective ways to overcome anxiety is to try to shift the focus of attention away from self and toward others. When we succeed in this, we find that the scale of our own problems diminishes. This is not to say we should ignore our own needs altogether, but rather that we should try to remember others’ needs alongside our own, no matter how pressing ours may be…

Or…

It is self-evident that a generous heart and wholesome actions lead to greater peace and that their negative counterparts bring undesirable consequences. Happiness arises from virtuous causes. If we truly desire to be happy, there is no other way to proceed but by way of virtue: it is the method by which happiness is achieved. And, we might add, that the basis of virtue, its ground, is ethical discipline.

Perhaps this post sets me back a bit in that regard, but what the heck is going on with the continuous incompetence out there in day-to-day life? Is it just me?? I know that when I do things for work, I do them right. I know that when I say I’m going to do something, I actually follow through and do it. But it seems I’m not getting the same thing in return…and it’s happening more and more and more and more.

I will spare you the details, but from my experience it’s looking more as each day passes that large companies cannot be trusted, that household goods and kid’s toys are manufactured to break in three days, and that the majority of service industry workers do not care if they actually deliver with a smile what was ordered and paid for.

It’s certainly becoming more of a challenge, but I will keep working on stressing less and smiling more

“Men say, practically, Begin where you are and such as you are, without aiming mainly to become of more worth, and with kindness aforethought go about doing good.” -Henry David Thoreau