“Living Young: The Art of Mindfulness at Any Age”

“My mantra is, ‘I want to die young, as old as possible.’ It may seem contradictory, but its wisdom lies in how we live, not how long. To ‘die young’ means to stay curious, open, and present—to carry the vitality of youth into every moment, even as we grow older.

In Buddhism, we learn that the present is all we truly have. By staying mindful and embracing each breath, we tap into a timeless energy that transcends age. Life is not measured by years, but by how fully we live each moment.

So today, in our practice, let’s move with that youthful, playful spirit—being fully here, fully alive, allowing each breath and pose to remind us that to ‘die young’ is to live mindfully in the now, no matter our age.”

Story One “The Leap of Faith: Trusting Your Wings to Fly”

“There was once a young bird who lived in a dense forest with her family. Every day, she would watch the older birds in her flock soar through the sky, feeling the wind beneath their wings. She longed to fly too, but fear held her back. She was afraid of heights, and more afraid of falling.

One day, her older sibling noticed her hesitation. He perched beside her and said, “Why do you stay here in the nest when you have wings meant for the sky?”

The young bird replied, “I’m afraid of falling. What if I don’t know how to fly?”

Her sibling smiled and said, “None of us knew how to fly the first time. Sometimes, you just have to jump and grow your wings on the way down. A bird standing on a branch isn’t afraid of the branch breaking because her faith isn’t in the branch—it’s in her wings.”

The young bird thought about his words, realizing that her fear of falling was not as strong as her fear of never flying. With her sibling by her side, she took a deep breath, spread her wings, and jumped. At first, she stumbled and panicked, but then she felt the wind catch her wings, and suddenly, she was flying—soaring higher than she ever imagined.

In that moment, she understood that true courage wasn’t about having no fear, but about leaping into the unknown and trusting in her own strength. She realized that the only way to rise was to take that leap.” – David Scott

Story Two – “Forged by Fire: Strength Through Solitude and Transformation”

“Some fall into the flames and are consumed, while others rise from the fire, wings ablaze but forever transformed, purified by the experience. There are walks in life that we must take alone, and though they are difficult, they often reveal our greatest strength. It was in solitude that she discovered her power, and though her journey was hard, it made her stronger. We should not judge others, for we have no idea the storms they have been asked to walk through. In the flames and in the solitude, we find transformation.” – David Scott

Story Three – “The Power of Letting Go: Cultivating Inner Peace Over Reaction”

“I’m slowly realizing that reacting to situations often changes nothing—it doesn’t make people love or respect us, and it won’t suddenly shift their perspective. In the same way, we can’t force closure, explanations, or understanding from others. Chasing these things often leads to more suffering.

In Buddhism, we learn the power of letting go—of surrendering the need to control outcomes or people. Sometimes, the most compassionate thing we can do is to release our grip on what we can’t change and allow life to unfold. It’s not about turning away or avoiding life, but rather, turning inward. Life is lived more fully when we stop focusing on the chaos around us and instead nurture the peace within.

By centering ourselves on our inner journey, we find clarity, resilience, and the ability to respond rather than react. The external world may remain unpredictable, but the peace we cultivate within allows us to meet it with grace and equanimity.”

Story Four – “Walking Alone: The Strength of Uniqueness and the Journey Within”

Albert Einstein once wrote – “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”

“They may laugh because you stand out, but that’s because they cannot see the truth you carry within. While others may strive to blend in, your uniqueness is your strength. Just as the roots of a tree determine its growth, your outer life reflects your inner journey. You may search far and wide for meaning, unaware that the treasure you seek has been with you all along. The journey itself—searching, growing through challenges—is what helps you see this truth. Like stars that need darkness to shine, your obstacles are what illuminate your path. True strength doesn’t come from doing what is easy, but from facing what once seemed impossible. Life is like a beautiful song; it’s not about rushing to the end but experiencing each note fully. The real journey is found in living each moment, not in the destination.” – David Scott

“Monsters are real, ghost are real, they live inside us and sometimes we allow them to win.” Steven king

“She conquered her demons and wore her scars like wings. Love her but leave her wild.” – Atticus Poetry, Love Her Wild

“From the moment I saw her I knew this one was worth the broken heart.” – Atticus Poetry, Love Her Wild

“There’s too much risk in loving, the young boy said, ‘no,’ said the old man, there’s too much risk in not.” – Atticus Poetry, Love Her Wild

“Never let success go to your hear or let failure go into your heart.”

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. – Lao-Tzu

“It is better to live your own destiny imperfectly than to live an imitation of somebody else’s life with perfection.” The Bhagavad Gita

“In meditation and in our daily lives there are three qualities that we can nurture, cultivate, and bring out. We already possess these, but they can be ripened: precision, gentleness, and the ability to let go.” – Pema Chodron

“The best thing you could do is master the chaos in you. You are not thrown into the fire, you are the fire.” -Mama Indigo

“Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter your flame.” — B.K.S. Iyengar

To philosophize and do nothing is for a dreamer. To philosophize and take action is the path of a yogi

If you seek peace, be still. If you seek wisdom, be silent. If you seek love, be yourself.

Selflessness is humility. Humility and freedom go hand in hand. Only a humble person can be free. -Jeff Wilson

“Nothing glows brighter than the heart awakened to the light of love that lives within it.” – Guy Finley

“Some people will not love you regardless of what you do. Other people will love you regardless of what you do. Go towards the love “

There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love.

“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.” – Mother Teresa

“Spread love everywhere you go: first of all in your own house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor… Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting.” ~Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa would explain – At the end of our lives, it’s not our accolades or achievements that define us. It’s not the diplomas we earned, the money we made, or the great things we accomplished. What truly matters is how we connected with others. When someone was hungry—hungry for love, for compassion—did we offer them nourishment? When someone was exposed—not just physically, but stripped of their dignity—did we clothe them with respect? When someone was homeless—rejected by society, longing for belonging—did we offer them a place in our hearts?

In Buddhism, we are reminded that compassion is the highest form of wisdom. It’s not just about relieving material suffering, but seeing the deeper needs of those around us. When we can meet others in their pain and offer them the love, dignity, and respect they seek, we fulfill our true purpose. As we move through life, let us remember that the most meaningful acts often have nothing to do with grand gestures, but everything to do with small moments of kindness and connection.”