The Dalai Lama once said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” 

So what is compassion?  Is it the answer to happiness? It seems so obvious; everyone knows what compassion is, right?  Maybe we do know but either don’t see the value of happiness or don’t believe the answer to happiness could be so simple.

Or possibly it is just more important to be ‘justified’ in our anger and resentments.  Maybe we actually like feeling angry and bitter.  Far be it from me to impose my ideas of happiness upon another.

You might be thinking “why?”  You might not.  I attended because it was free.

I attended primarily for two reasons; first, as I said, the price was right; and second, it was an opportunity to learn more about the internet and marketing on the internet.  One of the most fascinating things I learned from the workshop was the marketing power of the word ‘free’.  The single most keyed in word on the internet is free.  We all want something for free.  Garage sales, discount stores, super sizing, lotteries and anything else with the idea of free in it; they grab our attention and bring us in.

Recently in the field of my work I had to do an onerous job.  One of those tasks that are really distasteful yet always seem to come with the work.  I’m sure you know the type; they’re the ones that ensure that the world doesn’t have too many plumbers or teachers.  They are the jobs that guarantee certain people get such high wages in some areas and why it is so difficult to find workers in other areas.  I’m sure in your line of work there is just such a task.

These tasks are the most important jobs we tackle.