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JAINA CONVENTION
efforts both big and small - from your family that you take for granted. How many times do you show gratitude from the heart and say thank you to the people around you. The feeling of gratitude is the natural expression of love. It brings closeness in interrelations and this gift can heal mis-communications and
misunderstandings.
3. The gift of not hurting:
Not being hurtful by any means - thoughts, words or behavior is the brilliant gift to any human being. As lord Mahavir said, "Savve pana suhpadisaya, duhpadikula". It means Happiness is dear to all living beings, not misery. Taking a resolution - I will not hurt anyone by getting angry, abusing, criticizing, gossiping, complaining or inflicting any negative act - will cheer up the life of others. Our list of complaints can make life miserable for ourselves and of others as well. Remember, not hurting for the small issues can become a big help.
4. The gift of Humbleness:
Once it was asked of Bhagwan Mahavir, "O lord! What is the root of spirituality?" Bhagwan Mahavir replied, "Humility". Your humility should be your identity, not the ego. Staying away from 'I' and 'mine' is the true spirituality. Humbleness means giving respect to others, giving credit to others. When you share the credit you get respect and success. The traits of the humble person are highly valued and are looked upon in a positive way. Being humble means focusing on others; not on yourself. Your humbleness can help people to elevate their self-esteem, dignity and value. Arrogance breaks the heart while modesty connects the heart. If you are humble, people will see you as approachable and would not hesitate to ask you for any help.
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"Live and Help Live"
5. The gift of forgiveness:
"If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive" - A true saying of Mother Teresa inspires us to develop the attitude of forgiveness. Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself and others as well. Forgiveness means replacing your anger, resentment, hatred with love. This positive transformation will help others to transform those who have hurt you and you will definitely benefit from releasing the negative energy of enmity.
6. The gift of quality of life:
You can help someone to improve the quality of their life. If someone is addicted to drugs, cigarette, or alcohol, reach out to them to offer help in quitting these vices. This will be a step in the direction of making their life bright and peaceful. Help people any way you can to come out of depression, anxiety, worry, or other maladies. Help someone with your noble thoughts and solutions which can take their pain away. Help people to develop a spiritual consciousness. When you can help to cultivate a higher quality of life in others, life becomes even more beautiful and magnificent within yourself.
7. The gift of compassion:
Compassion is kindness, empathy and the ability to put yourself as best as possible - into another persons circumstance to access the situation properly. To have compassion means to feel what others are feeling, may it be human beings, animals or the environment. Bhagwan Mahavir said, "Aay-tule payaasu", which means, consider all living beings as yourself. All human beings are equally responsible to take care of others. If we develop this attitude, then there would be no discrimination in the society. According to University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, the ancient technique of
