In Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche’s book, The Joy of Living, Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness, he writes of visiting the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower.  He’s amazed at the beauty, creativity, connectivity, and vision that brought these buildings to rise.  Then he is shocked to see the view blocked by barbed-wire fencing and patrolled by guards.  He learns these are precautions to prevent suicides.  What could lead to such despair?

His teachings are on opening the heart to Joy through appreciation and gratitude.

Today my abode is surrounded with ducks and coots.  Their niche is high tide. They dive down leaving rippling circles and then pop up again.  I’m reminded to go deeply within to renew and feed, and then pop up to air and share.  There’s so many birds popping up and diving down, I can’t stop smiling. It’s hysterical.  I’m surrounded with joy, as my head and heart bob up and down with their rhythm, and companionship.