I've been watching the news and the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and it is incredible. Ironically, I have also been reading "The Art of Happiness" by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He speaks of several things that are pertinent to what is happening. The Dalai Lama says that one of the most integral parts of being happy is feeling compassion for others. I am definitely able to do that for all the people effected. I saw one man who had to escape the rising waters by climbing onto the roof of his home. He, his wife and his son held on for as long as they could when suddenly the house broke in half. As his wife began to slip away from him, she told him to let her go and take care of their son. When the news crew found him he was wandering the streets with his son. The helplessness was written all over his face. He has lost both his wife and his home. I think only the hardest person could not have compassion for him.

The other thing the Dalai Lama talks about is making the most of every day. It is important to utilize every moment to its fullest because there is no way to know how many more we will have. This is painfully obvious today in the face of the devastation people are waking up to.

It is unfortunate that it takes a catastrophe like this to remind people of how precious life is. It is equally unfortunate how quickly people can forget the importance of simple pleasures like sitting with friends or taking a walk. Our focus should be on living life to its fullest.

I strongly recommend everyone read this book.