I love this quote because it reminds me of the book Opening Up (249 pages, 1997) by James Pennebaker. The book is all about healing through self disclosure. The key idea is to open up, to sharing our feelings with a confidant, without any secrets. The confidant — the listener — must be non-judgmental, calm and peaceful for healing to take place.

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Positive thinking rules! Thankfulness makes us positive!

During hikes, I've noticed the phenomenon of 'second wind' first hand. In the first twenty minutes, I and my fellow hikers are typically panting, out of breath. At that time, it appears as if we cannot even finish two miles! However, by persisting, all that huffing and puffing comes to an end. Our body somehow adjusts itself and walking becomes easy! By the 1 hour mark, we start feeling confident that we can cover ten miles comfortably! :) It's important to persist in the first twenty minutes!

Let's say a negative emotion has arisen. Should we deny it, avoid it, bury it? No. We should face it, embrace it, feel it. By doing so, that emotion runs its natural course and goes away on its own, without affecting us in the future. The same for positive emotions.

The best way to spread peace and happiness in the world is to become peaceful and happy ourselves! We spread to others whatever we are inside. If we are angry, we spread anger. If we are in grief, we spread sadness. If we are joyful, we spread joy! If we are full of positive energy, we spread positive energy!

The experience of life itself is an extraordinary experience. How does my hand work? It's a miracle! How does a plant grow? Another miracle! Breath? Another miracle! The book The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs (224 pages, 2007) is a book for kids. The book narrates the story of a little girl who lives on a farm but longs to see the Seven Wonders of the World! She gradually realizes that wonderful things are happening all the time, all around her! :)