It doesn’t always help us to love the world. But it does prevent us from hating the world.

“Your Daily Dose” is a quick two minute read packed with bite-sized wisdom from all the great teachers. But you could also choose to turn it into something more… a powerful daily practice for personal growth. Give it a try!

A message from today’s meditation:

It’s so easy to experience the world as a hostile place. In a world saturated with negative headlines and endless streams of disappointing news, it’s almost difficult not to develop a cynical worldview. We scroll through social media, watch the news, and witness humanity’s capacity for harm, sometimes leaving us feeling disconnected from the very species we belong to. 

I am reminded of a phrase I read in the book Shantaram years ago that hit me right in the heart:

“It doesn’t always help us to love the world. But it does prevent us from hating the world.” – Shantaram 

Falling into that trap of ‘hating’ the world is easy because there is so much really negative news out there but it never serves us – seeing only the ‘bad’ in the world only serves to make us feel isolated. And in our isolation we are likely to miss out on all the good we could be surrounding ourselves with too. We have to do the work to recognize all the good that exists because:

We don’t create a better world while we are throwing stones at one another. We don’t do better, unless we do better together.

“Make a conscious effort to surround yourself with positive, nourishing, and uplifting people — people who believe in you, encourage you to go after your dreams, and applaud your victories.” – Jack Canfield

“Keep in mind that part of growing up is dealing with difficult issues, and the benefits can be great if you have the courage to ask for help. Human beings are not designed to go through life alone. No one has to bear the burden of tough times all by themselves.” – Jack Canfield

“There are essentially two things that will make you wise — the books you read and the people you meet.” – Jack Canfield

Today’s meditation journey serves as a blessing to the humans in the world around you. It’s an acknowledgement that everyone is dealing with their own difficulties that we might know nothing about. We can choose to have hate for our fellow humans because of their actions or we can choose to show love even when we disagree, in fact especially when we disagree. 

How we collectively show up IS how we create the world. So if we have an idea of what we want the world to look like, then we have to show up and BE that.

What you want to see in the world, IS what you have to be in the world.

A few thoughts to reflect on:

  • “I choose love over hate, even when darkness surrounds me.”
  • “I attract positive, supportive people who encourage my highest potential.”
  • “I have the courage to ask for help when life feels overwhelming.”
  • “I practice gratitude daily, shifting my perspective toward abundance.”
  • “I believe in love’s power to transform both my life and the world around me.”

Ultimately, our collective actions shape the world we live in. If we want a world that is filled with love, compassion, and understanding, we must embody those qualities ourselves. By choosing to love the world, even in its imperfections, we can contribute to a more positive and harmonious future.

– pierre –

Today’s LIVE meditation is: Tonglen

Today’s LIVE meditation

https://youtu.be/wxeL7av2Lfs 2025

https://youtu.be/yHY7KRYAAY8 2024

https://youtu.be/GhgD-V2Wg2I 2023

https://youtu.be/bwWNKWJOIk4 2022

Practice the “Daily Dose”

Let’s put it into practice! Choose what works for you – daily, once a week or whenever inspiration strikes. Putting pen to paper wires the neural pathways that will create your new habits.

1 – Affirmation

Write down your favourite affirmation on a sticky note and place it somewhere that you’ll be able to see it the whole day.

  • “I choose love over hate, even when darkness surrounds me.”
  • “I attract positive, supportive people who encourage my highest potential.”
  • “I have the courage to ask for help when life feels overwhelming.”
  • “I practice gratitude daily, shifting my perspective toward abundance.”
  • “I believe in love’s power to transform both my life and the world around me.”

2 – A moment of reflection

Use today’s question as a journal prompt. If you don’t have the time to sit down and write, just take a moment to reflect on your response.

Your Inner Circle Assessment: Take an honest inventory of the five people you spend the most time with. How do they influence your perspective on life, your dreams, and your sense of possibility? Do they encourage you to grow, or do they reinforce limiting beliefs? Write about someone in your life who consistently uplifts you—what specific qualities do they possess? Now consider: how can you cultivate more relationships like this while also becoming this type of person for others?

3 – Quotes to share

Send a quote to someone who needs it, or share them all on social media to spread the good vibes!

4 – Q&A for deeper learning

Read through the questions and answers and write down at least one “aha moment” that clicked for you.

Q1: Isn’t choosing love over hate just toxic positivity? How do I acknowledge real problems while maintaining a loving perspective?

A: Choosing love over hate isn’t about denying reality or pretending problems don’t exist. It’s about maintaining your emotional and mental well-being while still acknowledging difficult truths. You can recognize injustice, suffering, and human failures without allowing these realities to consume you with hatred or cynicism. Love in this context means approaching these challenges with compassion, understanding that everyone is dealing with their own struggles, and focusing on constructive responses rather than destructive emotions.

Q2: What if I’m surrounded by negative people? How can I find positive, uplifting relationships when my current environment feels toxic?

A: Building a positive support network often requires intentional effort and gradual change. Start by identifying activities, communities, or interests that align with your values and growth goals. This might include joining clubs, taking classes, volunteering, or participating in personal development groups. You don’t need to abandon existing relationships immediately, but you can begin expanding your circle while setting healthier boundaries with negative influences. Remember, you also have the power to become the positive person others are seeking.

Q3: I struggle with asking for help because I don’t want to burden others. How do I overcome this belief?

A: The belief that you’re a burden often stems from misconceptions about human nature and what we were taught about our needs as children. Consider this: when someone you care about asks for your help, do you see them as a burden or feel honored that they trust you? Most people genuinely want to help and support others—it’s part of our fundamental human design for connection. Start small by asking for minor assistance and notice how people respond. Practice reframing your request for help as an opportunity for others to contribute meaningfully to your life.

Q4: How can I maintain hope when the world feels increasingly dark and chaotic?

A: Hope isn’t about believing everything will magically improve, but about recognizing your power to influence your immediate environment and relationships. Focus on what you can control: your responses, your choices, your daily actions, and your treatment of others. Seek out stories of kindness, resilience, and positive change—they exist in abundance but often get overshadowed by negative news. Remember that throughout history, humans have faced seemingly insurmountable challenges and found ways forward through connection and compassion.

Q5: What does it actually mean to “be the change you want to see in the world” in practical terms?

A: Being the change means embodying the qualities you wish were more prevalent in society. If you want more kindness, practice kindness in your daily interactions. If you desire more understanding, listen more deeply to others’ perspectives. If you crave authenticity, show up genuinely in your relationships. It’s about micro-actions: holding doors, really listening when someone speaks, offering encouragement, practicing patience in traffic, treating service workers with respect. These seemingly small acts create ripple effects that contribute to the larger cultural shift you want to see.

Q6: How do I love people I fundamentally disagree with, especially when their actions cause harm?

A: Loving someone doesn’t mean approving of their actions or agreeing with their choices. It means recognizing their fundamental humanity while maintaining clear boundaries about unacceptable behavior. You can disagree strongly with someone’s actions while still seeing them as a person shaped by their experiences, traumas, and conditioning. This perspective allows you to respond from a place of strength rather than reactive hatred, which is ultimately more effective for creating positive change and protecting your own well-being.

Q7: I feel overwhelmed by all the suffering in the world. How can I stay engaged without becoming emotionally depleted?

A: Caring about suffering while protecting your emotional reserves requires conscious boundaries and self-care practices. Limit your consumption of negative news to specific times and durations. Balance awareness of problems with regular exposure to positive stories and experiences. Practice the meditation technique of tonglen—breathing in suffering and breathing out relief—which can help you process difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed. Remember that maintaining your own emotional health isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for your ability to contribute positively to the world over the long term.