Healthy Vibrant Slim

What is the best advice you've ever received from an unexpected person?

by Luke Bray

I was meeting with the CEO of a large oil company to gain insight on business. I won't disclose his name but I can tell you he had a net worth upwards of 8 figures. I was excited to meet him and drove over 4 hours to Atlanta to catch him before his flight left.

He was very kind, but you could tell that he was stern when he needed to be. Instead of picking a five star restaurant, he chose a small burger joint.

We talked about innovation, marketing, management, accounting, investing, and a few other things.

We got to the end of our lunch and I asked, “is there any one thing that's contributed to the success of your career?”

Being the CEO of a large oil company, I expected him to say something like:

“Work hard”

“Don't take crap from anyone”

“Profit comes first”

But instead, he said:

“Tithe.”

“Tithe?” I asked, a bit surprised.

“Yes, never forget to tithe.”

“Like give to the church?”

“Well, yes that's a form of tithing. But a great way is to give to those less fortunate than you.”

I left our meeting a little confused. I was in the process of starting a business and didn't have much to spare. I thought, “I barely have enough to get by, how am I supposed to give?”

Right at that moment I drove passed a homeless man.

And then it hit me.

No matter where you're at in life, there's always someone doing worse than you.

I immediately drove to Target and purchased supplies to make care packages. I was literally making sandwiches in my car. I put them in bags along with clothes and other items.

I then went around Atlanta handing out these bags to homeless people.

They were just the essentials. Nothing fancy. But from the looks on their faces, you would've thought I had just handed them a gold bar.

I can't explain the feeling you get from giving to those less fortunate, but it's wonderful.

It's something that’s always stuck with me.

And if you dig deep enough, you'll find that every super successful person participates in some form of tithing, whether it be money or simply time.

The reason is not only because you get to help people, but also because it puts you in a state of abundance.

I promise you that for every bit you give, you will get tenfold back.

“Never forget to tithe.”

Just as smoke from a chimney disperses into the air, we should disperse our sense of “group” or “family” and truly participate in the life around us.

—Master Sheng-Yen

Bringing our full attention to focus on our breath in meditation strengthens our ability to concentrate in daily life, in the same way that lifting weights in the gym strengthens our muscles and allows us to lift heavy things elsewhere.

—Dan Zigmond

In accepting ourselves, we’re simply agreeing to the fact that we are already accepted by the entire universe, just as we are.

—Ruben L. F. Habito

When we train ourselves by constant practice to stop verbalizing, the brain can experience things as they are. By silencing the mind, we can experience real peace.

—Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

We lack nothing of the wisdom and perfection of the Buddha, right at this moment.

—Elihu Genmyo Smith

Few of us communicate really well. We think explaining ourselves is key, but listening is the most important part.

—Sallie Tisdale

When the winds of change reach hurricane force, our inner refuge of mindfulness, concentration, and discernment is the only thing that will keep us from getting blown away.

—Thanissaro Bhikkhu

Image: scary beautiful horror nature storm tornado Wind hurricane winds ... Found on Google from rebloggy.com

When you set your intention on chanting in meditation, melodically, and as crisply and clearly as possible, you become focused. It quiets the monkey mind and establishes a direct connection to the dharma.

—Myokei Caine-Barrett

Enlightenment is initially subconscious awakening, which is spontaneously merged with conscious awakening at the moment of breakthrough.

—Kazuaki Tanahashi

Any time we are abruptly thrown off course, it is an opportunity to reexamine our lives, our values, and where we are headed.

—Judy Lief