Lola cocked ready to go chase a squirrel! (Photo by me)

Buddhism: Shakyamuni Proclaims

“People who are vigilant do not die; people who are negligent are as if dead.” This is definitely true. Unremitting diligence in our Buddhism practice — brave and vigorous exertion — infuses our lives with the great life force of the eternal Buddha. In contrast, people who try to get by in life through cunning and deception enact a living death.

(Credit Daisaku Ikeda for the philosophy)