I’m currently reading the book, The Art of Happiness in a Troubled World, by His Holiness The Dalai Lama and Howard C. Cutler, MD.

In Chapter 14, The Dalai Lama says…

“If we appreciate our social nature and the need to work cooperatively with each other, naturally we will pay attention to others’ welfare. This will create a society that is stable, happier, more peaceful – and the result is that everyone enjoys the benefit.”

When I read this, I immediately thought of the time in which we presently inhabit…being in self-isolation because of COVID. Is the divisive nature of the present-day world partially due to the fact that we are living in a sequestered state? It’s possible. How do we work together when we can’t even be together? It’s definitely more challenging but do we have a choice not to? The one thing I’ve learned throughout this book is that the external and internal are interchangeable…a healthy balanced life can’t have one without the other.

Throughout my whole life, I have had hermit-like tendencies. I’m not sure if this is because of being an only child. But I have noticed that those tendencies can be especially strong in quarantining times like this. Reading this passage from the Dalai Lama has reminded me that it’s important to work together even if I can’t be in the same room as another person. In these past bunch of months, I have felt an adrenaline rush when I’ve collaborated with others. I can’t get down just because we can’t be in the same room. It really is absolutely amazing that having a conversation with someone on Skype or working on a project with someone on Zoom has the ability to make the world a better place, simply because I’m in a better place.

Do you agree?