book review: tiny buddha's simple wisdom

(♥)

Ever since the site was created back in 2009, I've been a big fan of TinyBuddha.com. Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that it's one of my favorite sites to tweet, mostly because it always contains such great inspiration. No matter what kind of wisdom you're seeking in your life, you'll find something you can relate to (and benefit from) on Tiny Buddha.

When I found out that Tiny Buddha founder, Lori Deschene, was coming out with a book, Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Life's Hard Questions, I was thrilled. Much as I love the internet (and I really do love it!), there's nothing quite like holding a book in your hands when you're seeking inspiration. After reading Tiny Buddha online for years, I knew the content of the book would be wonderful, filled with inspiration and wisdom. And I was right.

Immediately upon receiving the book, I dove in and read and read and read. I managed to finish the entire thing in a single day -- and it left me feeling inspired. Not only did I learn more about Lori's personal growth, but I also learned a great deal from the stories of others shared in the book. The quotes, tweets, and inspirational exercises kept me always excited to turn to the next page.

The book is divided into the following chapters: Pain, Meaning, Change, Fate, Happiness, Love, Money, Possibilities, and Control. No matter who you are, each of these topics will have meaning to you because each one contains wisdom not only from Lori, but from countless other sources. The culmination of advice and wisdom exposes readers to a fresh way of seeing these topics and, due to Lori's practical, easy-to-read writing style, the wise words are actually easy to relate to.

Lori writes in the introduction, "This is not a book of absolute answers. It's crowd-sourced wisdom, often supported by scientific, psychological, and sociological research, that may help you experience meaning, happiness, and peace right now, regardless of your circumstances." After reading this book cover to cover, I can confirm that Lori's words ring true. When you read this, what you will find is wisdom and information that will help you to live a more positive, more present life. What you will find are words that will inspire you, inspiration that will keep you motivated, and motivation to make the most of your present moment. Here's my favorite excerpt from the book:

The alternative is to choose positive thinking not because it will get us what we think we want in the future but because it, in itself, is what we want in the present. It just plain feels good to think empowered, self-affirming thoughts, as opposed to defeatist, depressing ones. Our thoughts affect our feelings and ultimately influence what we choose to do. In this way, when we focus on the positive, we’re more likely to find ourselves in situations that feel good—not because we get exactly what we want but because we’re always be open to finding something worth having in what we get.

If you're already a fan of Tiny Buddha, you can probably guess how awesome this book is -- and you already know why you need to pick up a copy ASAP. If you're new to Tiny Buddha, I'd recommend checking it out. Once you do that, you'll be sure to see why a book by the site's creator is a must-have. To order a copy of the book, click here. And to give some thought to your own hard life questions, join Lori's Life's Hard Questions contest. The prizes for the contest are awesome and it's so thought-provoking to think about the hardest question you've had to deal with in your life. Learn more about the contest here.

WIN the Tiny Buddha Book!

• Leave a comment telling me what wisdom has impacted your life.
• Include your email address so we can contact you when you win.
• Want an extra chance to win? Tweet + mention @positivepresent.
• TWO winners will be selected on Thursday, December 22, 2011.

 

*Speaking of winners... Congrats to Saggelo, winner of 2012 Happiness Project Calendar giveaway!*

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Comments

[MJ]

After my young brother's unexpected death I had a dream of the two of us on a sailboat, he on oneside and me on the other. The boat was leaning (keeling over?, I'm not a sailor, nor was he) and my view was that he was going to be swallowed into the sea for his back was skimming the rough sea, everything was dark and menacing, yet he was laughing. I was shouting, terrified and he said to turn and so I looked behind me at his view, a bright beautiful sky, not a threat in sight. I have clung to the gift of this wisdom: perspective is everything.

[positively present]

MJ - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother. That must have been very difficult for you. That is a wonderful dream you had though and it really is an amazing piece of wisdom. Thank you for sharing that. The image will stick with me.

[Angela]

For me, the best wisdom I've ever been given is to just take things one step at a time and to not be too hard on myself. I have very high expectations of myself, but I also have very high anxiety levels, and struggle with having panic attacks from the amount of stress I put on myself. It's a terrible cycle! Luckily, my boyfriend recognizes this and knows exactly how to calm me down and to remind me to slow down and relax. :)

[Breezy]

Tiny buddha definitely provides incredible insight and thought-provoking stories and messages. Love it.

[Breezy]

I've had some really tough times during my college career, between my own depression and recently a teammate threatening suicide. Reading inspirational messages from Tiny Buddha on twitter really helps me realize the important things in life and helps me remain positive and enjoy everything. I really loved the article a few days ago titled "Choose to Be Kind and Change the World." I plan on going for my master's in social work and this definitely is something I want to base my life off of. Staying positive myself and helping spread that with others.

[Suheil]

I hope this will fit, but after struggling through high school and my first 2 years of college with depression and anxiety. I empowered myself to turn my life around. When you're close to rock bottom everything you do is a step up. I wrote a little piece of slam poetry to remind me of my new perspective in life:

Live because life is beautiful
Step into picture perfect scenes
And recreate your own daydreams
By living out your desires
And chasing love and happiness
Like little kids with butterfly nets
With smiles on their faces despite the fact that
They might never catch anything
Because the joy lies in the chase itself
Because happiness isn’t what you get from life
It’s what you make out of what you get from life

So even if you have to sift through the haystack of bullshit
That fills this earth in search of a needle
Just to find a point
To being alive
Keep looking.

Because once you find it believe me nothing will ever be the same
When the rainclouds fill your mind and
You forget the warmth of sunshine
You’ll carry that flame and it’ll a burn a hole through your ribcage
For keeping your heart captive
And set free your soul
From the shackles
Of society, and negativity, and yourself.

And when you find a goal
That you know is worth scoring
Or a lady so amazing you know she’s worth courting
Then even the darkest of days will be warm and safe
And you’ll finally have an umbrella, to shield you from the rain

So invest in other people and invest in yourself
And turn inward and listen
Listen to your heart and your intuition
And run blindly with the wind
And never worry what you’re missing

So smile if it’s sunny skies
And love every single day
And if it’s pouring rain
Take a shower in your backyard
And wash your stress away

And get naked for other people
In different kinds of ways
Love them when they love you back
And love them when they hate
And talk to people on the streets
Because every person is unique.
And every life is a dance moving to it’s own heartbeat

And if something doesn’t make you happy
Grab a knife and cut it loose, and wave as it floats away
Because now you’re a better ‘you.’

And dream
Dream of colors, and of feelings, and mold your dreams into goals
And throw your goals into an oven
And watch them solidify right before your eyes
And then achieve
Take leaps and bounds like superheroes in movies
And leave everyone who thought you couldn’t do it behind
Because we all have wings and just need to learn how to fly

Believe.

[Mark]

After leaving the British Army in 2003 I fell Sick with depression. Finding a book at a second hand book store called; Meditation for beginners, I began my spiritual path towards knowing myself. Meditation has changed mylife and has given me the strenght to start my life in a productive way!

[Brighteyedwanderer.blogspot.com]

I would love to win the Tiny Buddha book. I have followed them on Twitter, Facebook and subscribed via email just so I don't miss out on all the wisdom that has helped me tremendously in my daily life!

The greatest wisdom that has impacted my life is the humility I have learned and still continue to learn suffering from depression. Just when I thought that my life was over, little rays of hope keep showing up just in time to make me want to keep going and start believing in myself. Because of the great wisdom learned and lived by from family, friends, professionals and resources like Tiny Buddha, I am now in a position in my life that I can accept and give love, and my eyes are now open and aware of this world's greatness. And for all that, I am humbled and grateful always.

[Lauri J]

I love the Tiny Buddha site! It helps me to reevaluate myself and reset my mind on a daily basis!

[Brad Bolding]

Wisdom to live by!

[Robert Reyes]

After 17 years of using drugs, that's the only way of life I knew. But, after getting into trouble with the law several times, the last one was the one to wake me up. The wisdom that was bestowed on me was from reverends, judges and people from NA. After painful months the pain became less, the change in environment was less strange, the strength I have received now after two and a half years of being clean is unparalleled. I am such a different person that I was back then. And, I have so many possibilities open to me now. The wisdom that I know that I have is that change is inevitable and it needn't be feared. My life is awesome. I have been in a relationship for 2 1/2 years. I have my own apartment now (big change from being homeless at one time during my drug run). My relationships with my parents have changed dramatically to where they actually like to come over. I'm reestablishing my relationship with my sister whom I haven't spoken to in 8 years. My brother will be next. It's only a matter of time.

[Daria Sorokina]

I started reading Tiny Buddha and following the blog actively when I end up in a very dark place.
Tiny Buddha definitely gave me hope and inspired me in so many ways.

Namaste friends!

[Alisa]

I've been reading Tiny Buddha for over a year now. Great stuff! I'd love to own the book :)

[Jeanne Fico]

The wisdom that has shaped me was that you can't control what people say to you, but you can control how you respond. It has taught me to breathe deeply and think about how insensitive people can be and how I choose to answer them.I just discovered the Tiny Buddha and already am hooked on the simple reminders each day to help me stay on track though these tough times.

[Cari]

"Don't believe everything you think."

[Manfred]

For me the best wisdom That has impacted me is to think before acting or saying. Also Look at the big picture, just because something is not within reach it doesn't mean is not reachable. Always give your best and stay in harmony with nature.

I love tinybuddha.com I follow them on twitter and always post the most amazing articles. Thank you for sharing this great content with the world.

Manfred

[Iwona]

I've found some quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh. I liked them so much I searched for more. Now I start every day with his book and my life looks different!

[Mark]

I am just new to the Tiny Buddha and already influence me a lot. I find "thoughts are not facts" really powerfull and helpfull.

Mark

[Volker Lobmayr]

Tiny Buddha keeps me from forgetting what is essential in live, what makes sentient beings happy and what causes suffering. A few months ago I started teaching Yoga and thanks to sources of wisdom and inspiration like Tiny Buddha I hope to be able to inspire my pupils and help them to become more conscious in their every day lives. The book would definitely help me with this challenge ;)

All the best

[Lana Turner McTighe]

TinyBuddha has been an inspiration in my life ever since I started reading it. I follow Tiny Buddha and look forward to everyday reading it. Tiny Buddha has given me a whole total different outlook on life. If I ever won the book I would read it over and over for the inspiration that it has given me. I repost some to show others how insirational Tiny Buddha is. I will continue to read Tiny Buddha and hope they will be around for a long time.

[Carla Reeves]

I have everything I need when I am willing to surrender to the present moment.

[Sulis]

. The words "This too shall pass" help to keep me grounded when life gets tough. Mentally repeating this reminds me that what is happening now won't be forever although at that present moment it may feel like it is.

[Terrie]

I have to agree with the above comment an say that 'This too shall pass' is my tiny bit of wisdom. I've been telling myself this a lot recently!

I also love 'Without the rain there would be no rainbow' it reminds me to look for the positives in negative situations.

Sounds like a great website - I shall check it out!

[Marytheresa.wordpress.com]

The wisdom that has most changed my life is a tie. One it is to know gratitude in everything I see, hear, experience. The second is to let go and receive things. (AKA Listen!) It's amazing how much these two simple things change you life if you let them.

[Ana S.]

A couple of months ago I experienced a great disappointment from someone I trusted and deeply loved. I was left with a big hole in my heart and a turbulent and uncontrollable mind. I read books, articles, essays. I was trying to find the key wisdom that could allow me to finally reach a peace of mind. On this quest, I learned a lot about life, love and happiness. I realized that the most useful knowledge comes from the very basic and traditional thoughts (even though you have heard them a million times!). Simple words have deap, deap meaning.

It is impossible to write here everything that I have learned these pasts months, but I'll try to summerize the simple wisdom that has impacted my life in an incredibly positive way. It came from Deepak Chopra's "7 laws of success" :

"Start each day thinking: - I won't judge anything that happens to me today -. Not judging creates silence on your mind. Not judging people or circunstances means ACCEPTING the present moment instead of fighting to change it. There's a hidden meaning in everything that happens, and that meaning is working on behalf of our evolution. Trust the universe. We can hope for better things in the future, but we most accept what we have in the present moment. Embrace uncertainty, that's the field of every new and fresh positibility. Stop worrying, nothing in this life is permanent (except death). The real beauty of life is that everything, everything can happen! So, why worry? The beauty of being humans is that we can ADAPT to changing environments and circunstances, so why worry?"

Since I realized the power of this wisdom, each day that has passed has been better in some way. The power of positive thinking is extraordinary!

[Karen]

Tiny Buddha and Positively Present help me to remember to be authentic, stay in the present and be positive...no matter what comes my way. It helps me to maintain my sense of me, to give myself (and others) a break and to live much more relaxed and happily each day.

[Strelka]

My tiny wisdom (in retrospect) is not to disregard feelings, no matter how negative they can be. Otherwise, they keep growing inside us in a disproportionate way compared to what init iallycaused them. This affects our capacity to live fully the present and create a more positive future.

[Kay]

The piece of wisdom that has had the greatest impact on me of late is the fact that no matter how much we might want to we can't control life, the best we can do is to live it as it comes.

[Shelby]

For the past year, my tiny wisdom has been to take it easy on myself. I criticize myself too often, and my own sense of inadequacy can be an obstacle that keeps me from fully embracing all of life's opportunities. When I tell myself to take things one day at a time and go easy on myself, everything gets easier... and I am a more peaceful, pleasant person. Improving my sense of self improves all dimensions of my life, and helps me have positivity about my future.

[positively present]

So many wonderful words of wisdom. Though I haven't had a chance to respond to them individually, I'm reading them and learning a lot from all of you. Thank you so much for sharing the wisdom you've encountered. I'm looking forward to choosing and announcing two lucky winners on Thursday!