Living in the moment

"The great arises out of small things that are honored and cared for. Everybody’s life really consists of small things. Greatness is a mental abstraction and a favorite fantasy of the ego. The paradox is that the foundation for greatness is honoring the small things of the present moment instead of pursuing the idea of greatness. The present moment is always small in the sense that it is always simple, but concealed within it lies the greatest power. Like the atom, it is one of the smallest things yet contains enormous power. Only when you align yourself with the present moment do you have access to that power. Or it may be more true to say that it then has access to you and through you to this world."

– Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose

Quote pulled from "Living in the Moment" by Brad Bollenbach
http://30sleeps.com/blog/2007/12/31/living-in-the-moment/

Empathy

"First, look at the dying person in front of you and think of that person as just like you, with the same needs, the same fundamental desire to be happy and avoid suffering, the same loneliness, the same fear of the unknown, the same secret areas of sadness, the same half-acknowledged feelings of helplessness. You will find that if you really do this, your heart will open toward the person and love will be present between you."

Sogyal Rinpoche, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Pg 175

"We are all in the same cart, going to execution; how can I hate anyone or wish anyone harm?"

Sir Thomas More