The Dalai Lama says the world doesn't need more successful people. He doesn't bother to define success, but goes on to say what the world does need: more healers, artists, and "lovers of all kinds." Meanwhile the BBC is reporting that the United States is experiencing a new trend of downward mobility. Within one generation, for the first time in our history, the new crop of middle class kids are expected to be less well educated and less wealthy than their parents. By less educated, they mean fewer kids will graduate high school and fewer still will seek or achieve higher degrees. And all of 'em will have a harder time finding better jobs.

Of my father's six children, all of us are less educated and less wealthy. So far. I don't fear poverty. I only fear life without health insurance. I tend to lean toward a spiritual view of fortune and success. Yet I do enjoy eating, expensive art supplies, and the near ability to responsibly buy livestock. None of which matters. What matters is what happens to our children.

Dear children: I suggest you choose to go to college and plan to get through it as cheaply as possible. Working at a state university in a full time position while taking a free class (and paying for an extra per semester) is a great way to get through without needing any loans. Or, consider knocking out the first two years in a community college then transferring to the local university. A higher degree will expand your mind and your skills. Go because it will enrich your life, but plan to go with an eye toward what you will do with your degree economically. In other words, do not go study English Literature. Go study computer science, medicine, or engineering. Pick a career that is fascinating and well paid.

And if you don't go to college, plan to live in the most beautiful and expensive community you can imagine. Think: Breckenridge, Santa Fe, Sonoma Valley, Martha's Vineyard, Kiawah, etc. While you are still young and unencumbered, go live in poverty in a gorgeous place that is visually and literally wealthy. Because these are the places people have money to pay you well to bar tend, cut hair, clean house, care for their children, and entertain them. These are the communities that have enough money to support artists. And anyway, you should surround yourself with beauty and interesting people, no matter how much money you make.

Finally, dear children, please understand there is no pressure on you to ever leave home. Your father and I take an old world view to family. We want to remain close. You will always be welcome to live in our home, in the life we've all made together. Its seems almost absurd to have to write that out. Yet, in our society, most parents expect their children to leave. Most even look forward to their children leaving, as that moment signifies a kind of freedom for them. Sad, huh? You children do not limit the freedom of our lives. Indeed, you expand and enrich our lives everyday. Stay forever, if you like. We only want you both to live well and happy and to feel free to pursue your goals. While you are young, dream big and make plans to go for it, knowing home is always an option.

Compassion and the Individual ~ The Dalai Lama

For a start, it is possible to divide every kind of happiness and suffering into two main categories: mental and physical. Of the two, it is the mind that exerts the greatest influence on most of us. Unless we are either gravely ill or deprived of basic necessities, our physical condition plays a secondary role in life. If the body is content, we virtually ignore it. The mind, however, registers every event, no matter how small. Hence we should devote our most serious efforts to bringing about mental peace.

From my own limited experience I have found that the greatest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion.