Be healthy in word.
-Marcus Aurelius
How do you speak? Words really matter. Speaking is one of the simplest actions we can take on the path of manifesting our true selves. Make sure your words map to your deepest understanding of yourself and what makes you happy.
… if his companion be infected, he who converses with him will be infected likewise.
-Epictetus
Do you surround yourself with positive people? How do you impact those around you? It is inevitable that we all begin to resemble the people we spend the most time with and they also begin to resemble us. You can choose to be infected with negativity or positivity.
We think that by protecting ourselves from suffering we are being kind to ourselves. The truth is we only become more fearful, more hardened, and more alienated.
-Pema Chodron
How is your guard up? Suffering is a natural part of life. As such, walking alongside it while cultivating an understanding is more beneficial than simply ignoring it. You cannot learn from a teacher if you close your ears and eyes. Suffering can be meaningful if we do not protect ourselves from it, but instead, see it as a teacher.
The Pocket Philosopher 