JenDee

We need to learn to manage our emotions and achieve inner peace. Our education should include an understanding of how to achieve peace of mind. Education should teach us how to live properly, how to balance our wish for physical comfort with mental comfort.

If you focus narrowly on the problem as you see it, you might well lose hope, but if you look at it from a wider perspective, it's easier to be more positive. When I decided to leave Tibet, we set out not knowing if we’d live to see the following day - but I never gave up hope.

Fundamentally human beings are the same. Imagine being lost in some remote place and suddenly seeing someone coming towards you over the horizon. You wouldn't care about their race, nationality or religious faith, you'd be filled with the joy of encountering another human being.

Sometimes we feel we can’t do much by ourselves, but humanity is made up of individuals; we can make a difference. As individuals we can influence our own families. Our families can shape our communities and our communities form our nations. Together we can make a better world.

Tackling destructive emotions and practicing loving-kindness is how we should live in the here and now. I am convinced we can become happier individuals, happier communities and a happier humanity by cultivating a warm heart, allowing our better selves to prevail.

Reports of suffering are upsetting, but it's a mistake to think we can do nothing about it. Many problems we face are of our own making. Since we are social animals who need friends, the least we can do is smile and respond to others warm-heartedly—that will make a difference.