Time out! A dose of inspiration

The Internet and airwaves overflow with stress and stupidity. Our times call for truth, togetherness, toughness and wisdom. Instead, we get misinformation. We get anger. We get fear. We get a headache. We get heartache.

Today we get a little respite.

We’re turning off the TV, computer and smartphone. This week we’ve been plugging into some of the words of wisdom and optimism that have guided men and women through challenging times before. If we listen, they can do so again.

TODAY’S INSPIRATIONAL CHARACTERS: THE DALAI LAMA

and YOGI BERRA

Dalai Lama:

‘In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.’

‘The purpose of our lives is to be happy.’

‘Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.’

‘We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.’

‘Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.’

‘Old friends pass away, new friends appear. It is just like the days. An old day passes, a new day arrives. The important thing is to make it meaningful: a meaningful friend — or a meaningful day.’

‘Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.’

‘Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive.’

‘In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.’

‘My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.’

Yogi Berra:

‘We made too many wrong mistakes.’

‘You can observe a lot by watching.’

‘The future ain’t what it used to be.’

‘Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.’

‘You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there.’

‘In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.’

‘A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.’

‘It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.’

‘It ain’t the heat, it’s the humility.’

‘You don’t have to swing hard to hit a home run. If you got the timing, it’ll go.’

‘Even Napoleon had his Watergate.’