We woke up here in Bali to the news about the explosions in Boston during the marathon, resulting in the loss of lives and severe injuries. Hearing news like this can make you feel powerless and depressed, seeking revenge or isolating yourself because you're scared of another attack. These are normal feelings, but they should not direct your life. As somebody on Twitter wrote: "It's not humanity that sucks, it's that guy who made those bombs. Humanity is the support and love that come flooding in from all over the world afterwards"

Exactly our feelings at DAA, where respect for yourself, your partner(s), your friends and family, community and ultimately the planet, are essential to get the message accross that life is (mostly) beautiful, so we have to take care to keep it that way. Then I found this statement on Facebook by a young woman called Angela Pacheko and it really says it all:

"My thoughts re Boston...if it makes you sad, take the time to be sad. If it makes you angry, then take the time to be angry. Take the time to process and work through your emotions. Then, use your emotions to make a difference. We don't know yet who is responsible. We don't know why yet. But we don't have to know those answers in order to use our emotions to inspire us to take little steps toward making this a kinder, gentler, more patient, more understanding, more proactive world. Be a kinder person. Exhibit patience. Get involved in your community. Educate yourself on what is going on in this world. Be aware. Try to see others' points of view, even if there is no way you will ever agree with those views. Don't be needlessly contentious. But don't wear blinders. Don't be afraid to speak up if something does not seem right. Offer to help others. Live your life in such a way that, when your time comes, you go knowing you at least tried to make this a better place for yourself, your family, your friends, your neighbors, your community, your country, your world. For those of you with children, teach them to do the same. Know there is evil out there, but don't let it consume you. It will always be there, but do not be mastered by it. This life is too short to live in a continual state of fear or anger or sadness or worry. Find the good and focus on it--it is everywhere if you just open your eyes and look. Work on doing your own little part to make this life better, whatever it may be. Gandhi said, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I say, be more than that. Be the kindness, be the patience, be the love, be the support, be the voice, be the peace, be the forgiveness, be the inspiration, be the calm, be the wisdom, be the support, be the understanding, be the hope. And be aware of all of those around you doing the same and be thankful for them, especially at times like this."

Inspiring words and thoughts to live by!