currently searching for buddhist texts which resonate with something inside, this is what I did yesterday until late in the night. So happy that I could find something again which just was so good to read and which made me deeply happy. Thank you for this gift to the author and the translator and all who make this possible to get to know and read so many essential and touching texts due to the wide world web available for us all. And, of course, music! and making space for it by making space for it…
I am trying to add some joy in my life as much as I can right now (Irish music and chair yoga lately). There are current stresses with upcoming ex-husband’s funeral (Father’s day wkend) and I have health issues that I am addressing this month. Meanwhile my daughter needs to move (lease is up) on top of all of this but they are giving her 2 months to look. Just timing is horrible. I spoke to management there last night and stressed that my daughter is grieving!!
My sailing partner is back today (He went on a 240 bike ride in Missouri!) so I hope to go on the boat this weekend but June will be limited. I look forward to some long wkends and extended time on the boat this summer.
Happiness is no longer a goal for me,
and hasn’t been
for many years now.
For the most part
I much prefer contentment,
which fills much of my life today.
But I’ve been asked what makes me happy,
and how can I make space for more of it
in my daily life,
so I will stick to the question . . .
hearing from my son
lights a spark in me
when I see a notification that he has texted me,
my husband’s sudden,
unexpected smile,
sunshine on a day when I feel good,
when I can do something of worth for someone else,
seeing new eggs in last year’s robin’s nest,
hanging up my rain catcher
after it’s been waiting for weeks.
The rest
is pretty much contentment . . .
I don’t seek space for more happiness.
I have enough.
I have more than enough.
Let the children find pleasure in happiness . . .
I will be happy
just to see them
discovering the joys and the mysteries of Life. ♥
When my family, (all kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, and us) are all together, that makes me happy.
When my husband and I sit out on the back porch in the early morning or early evening, that makes me happy.
When I am at the beach, that makes me happy.
When I am at coffee with my coffee girlfriends, that makes me happy.
When I am traveling to places I have wanted to see for a long time, doing things I have wanted to do, enjoying good food – that makes me happy.
When I am worshiping where the music is outstanding, moving and theologically uplifting and sustaining, that makes me happy.
When my husband cooks, plans an evening out for us (even if it’s just to go to the park), invites me to watch a movie of my choosing with him or to do a jigsaw puzzle with him, or will come outside and play with our dog with me – that makes me happy (and when he unloads the dishwasher.) Lots of things make me happy. But being happy can be an attitude, a mind-set or way of being in the world, to some degree. Sometimes it’s just a matter of putting a smile on my face and getting over myself.
Personal connection and being in nature makes me happy and feeds my soul. I could begin taking more walks outside, maybe making it a goal to hike once or twice a month? Those sound like promising goals I could make, and I could invite friends and family to be apart of it <3 .
Moving my body in nature, especially the forest, makes me happy. Sharing this activity with my loved ones is even better. I can make more space for this by stepping out of the “routine” places I go and things that I do with my family and try to spend more time in the forest. Today I get to hike and swim in the stream at work; I am truly grateful that part of my job is doing things that truly replenish me.
Doing improv makes me happy and tonight we have an open rehearsal: Like one of our shows, but looser, and with people from the audience invited to participate if they’d like to give it a try.
Seeing either of my daughters and getting a big hug makes me happy! One currently lives in Uruguay so that isn’t happening any time soon. The other lives approximately 300 miles away, and I’m hoping to plan a trip there in early July.
My garden growing, the smell of green growing things around our house drifting in through the windows, birds calling, the woodpecker that was knocking on a tree in the nearby park a few minutes ago, my husband bringing me fresh hot coffee in the morning: These are my current sources of happiness and I make time for this every morning to start my day.
Many things make me happy. I find it relatively easy to enjoy what’s happening, whether it’s a big community event or a smile and a wave from a neighbor or from someone I’m passing on the sidewalk. I live in a very friendly town and that brings me little bursts of happiness every time I have a friendly encounter. Being out in the world creates the opportunity for this happiness.
Also on my happy list: Dark chocolate sea salt truffles my husband puts on my side table, magically restocked when I run out. Cosmic Crisp apples (best apples in the world!), sliced and eaten cold and crunchy, maybe with some peanut butter and cinnamon to dip the slices into or some nice sharp cheese. Freshly baked bread. I’m almost through the loaf I baked on the weekend and will bake again next week.
Thursday we go to stay at my sister-in-law’s house, and seeing her always makes me happy. Friday we travel on to visit my sister and her husband in Friday Harbor–more happiness from the ferry ride to the San Juan Islands and from spending time with them.
I live an incredibly fortunate life full of many opportunities for happiness.
Feeling frustrated right now. I wrote a very long answer to yesterday’s question that I couldn’t get to post despite multiple attempts. Posting this short venting to see if the problem has resolved.
I posted successfully here today. Can someone look at yesterday’s question and tell me if you see a long post from me there? (possibly duplicates!) I’ve cleared my cache and keep getting a “duplicate post” message without seeing that my original attempt actually posted.
I looked at yesterday’s posts,
dear Barb,
and I saw several short posts from you,
mostly responses
to other’s reflections,
but no long post.
This has happened to me
and I usually get results
from contacting the gratefulness team. ♥
Acceptance of what is. Willingness to grow, to let go and let be. Be well…Be Present. I’m not concerned about being happy. For me, the life-giving question I ask every day is “Who am I?”
Also, want to thank everyone for there kind words. I will carry them with me when I go to that appointment next week.
Carol Ann, it’s easy to go into what ifs with regrets and wish things were better. Ultimately, it’s all in the past, and everything happens for a reason.
I’d like to make space for spontaneous moments of happiness by making time to sleep enough, eating healthy meals, finding balance in my social and relationship life, and being attentive to when and how I overwork. My habits and compulsions can take over, and I’d like to wear down their electric charge so that I can have more space for the positive.
I have rephrased the question to, what gives me energy or revives me. Sun, warmth, a text, a handwritten card, a color variation in the petal of a flower, giggles, solving the wordle and connections puzzles and……
I make space by being aware.
Many things bring me contentment and I find joy in so many things. I am truly lucky in this aspect. I am easily amused.
I would like to make more time for meditation, playing music, hiking or riding, to name a few.
But making more time is the trick. Not to make excuses, but I am😁, but so much of my time is spent earning a living. What a weird thing to say out loud. But it’s true. And then there’s the exhaustion that comes with working a lot. I know there is time that can be used more efficiently to squeeze in more of these things that I find enjoyable, but it’s a seemingly difficult task.
Maybe I can make a daily schedule just for these things, just like I do for work. Hmmm, I’m curious to read your responses.
I seem to work a lot myself Charlie. Not nearly as much as when younger. Most everything I have done and do, involves a fair share of manual labor. I am a firm believer that I sleep well at night due the exertions (i.e. exhaustion) of a good day’s work with the goal of feeding myself and a few others. Nothing like the repair to my form that results from a good night’s slumber. Also, nothing like resting more often and just observing the comings and goings of the world that encircles me.
I have thought
that I didn’t have time for a lot of things,
dear Charlie,
but somehow
the time appeared,
and I did them anyway.
Somehow
I found the time
by making it.
You can too.
Start with picking one thing at a time . . .
you might surprise yourself. ♥
I am grateful I find joy in many resources: in nature, doing my practices, teaching Qigong and Yoga, being with my friends and family–this list goes on. My life is extremely busy at this time with my FT job, my part-time endeavors, and my family. I make time for joy by being intentional. I schedule checks in with several of my friends. I schedule time with my husband. I schedule time outdoors. I am schedule my spiritual practice. I am not rigid– life has currents and cross-currents. But, I know when I set the intention it’s much more likely to manifest.
While I know that happiness comes from within, there are many things in this beautiful world that make me happy. Fresh flowers in my chiropractor’s office yesterday that another client brought in from her garden – a colorful mix of some things I knew and some that I didn’t, but gorgeous yellow calla lilies that really made me smile💐Being with my yoga students makes me happy. Knowing that my offerings make them feel good in some way also makes me happy. My dogs. My husband. Butterflies. A bird sitting on top of an electric pole singing his little heart out when I left the post office yesterday. Poetry. The book I’m currently reading. This strong, foamy coffee from the Nespresso machine my friend gave me. I feel like I’m at a fancy French bistro with this stuff!
I do my best to make space to enjoy life. If we are going to be here in this world, may as well enjoy it, right? And share it!
Happy Wednesday ☀️
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currently searching for buddhist texts which resonate with something inside, this is what I did yesterday until late in the night. So happy that I could find something again which just was so good to read and which made me deeply happy. Thank you for this gift to the author and the translator and all who make this possible to get to know and read so many essential and touching texts due to the wide world web available for us all. And, of course, music! and making space for it by making space for it…
I am trying to add some joy in my life as much as I can right now (Irish music and chair yoga lately). There are current stresses with upcoming ex-husband’s funeral (Father’s day wkend) and I have health issues that I am addressing this month. Meanwhile my daughter needs to move (lease is up) on top of all of this but they are giving her 2 months to look. Just timing is horrible. I spoke to management there last night and stressed that my daughter is grieving!!
My sailing partner is back today (He went on a 240 bike ride in Missouri!) so I hope to go on the boat this weekend but June will be limited. I look forward to some long wkends and extended time on the boat this summer.
Did your partner ride the Katy Trail, Robin? I’ve heard that’s a great ride.
Yes he did! I will be hearing all about it on Saturday!
Happiness is no longer a goal for me,
and hasn’t been
for many years now.
For the most part
I much prefer contentment,
which fills much of my life today.
But I’ve been asked what makes me happy,
and how can I make space for more of it
in my daily life,
so I will stick to the question . . .
hearing from my son
lights a spark in me
when I see a notification that he has texted me,
my husband’s sudden,
unexpected smile,
sunshine on a day when I feel good,
when I can do something of worth for someone else,
seeing new eggs in last year’s robin’s nest,
hanging up my rain catcher
after it’s been waiting for weeks.
The rest
is pretty much contentment . . .
I don’t seek space for more happiness.
I have enough.
I have more than enough.
Let the children find pleasure in happiness . . .
I will be happy
just to see them
discovering the joys and the mysteries of Life. ♥
☀️💦🌱
Agua es vida,
dear Joseph . . . 🙂
☀️💦🌱
Amen Sparrow. Sigh, shoulders relax.
Ah yes,
dear Averil . . .
contentment
is so much more relaxing. 🙂
When my family, (all kids, grandkids and great-grandkids, and us) are all together, that makes me happy.
When my husband and I sit out on the back porch in the early morning or early evening, that makes me happy.
When I am at the beach, that makes me happy.
When I am at coffee with my coffee girlfriends, that makes me happy.
When I am traveling to places I have wanted to see for a long time, doing things I have wanted to do, enjoying good food – that makes me happy.
When I am worshiping where the music is outstanding, moving and theologically uplifting and sustaining, that makes me happy.
When my husband cooks, plans an evening out for us (even if it’s just to go to the park), invites me to watch a movie of my choosing with him or to do a jigsaw puzzle with him, or will come outside and play with our dog with me – that makes me happy (and when he unloads the dishwasher.) Lots of things make me happy. But being happy can be an attitude, a mind-set or way of being in the world, to some degree. Sometimes it’s just a matter of putting a smile on my face and getting over myself.
”Sometimes it’s just a matter of putting a smile on my face and getting over myself.”
Amen,
dear Katrina. ♥
Personal connection and being in nature makes me happy and feeds my soul. I could begin taking more walks outside, maybe making it a goal to hike once or twice a month? Those sound like promising goals I could make, and I could invite friends and family to be apart of it <3 .
Moving my body in nature, especially the forest, makes me happy. Sharing this activity with my loved ones is even better. I can make more space for this by stepping out of the “routine” places I go and things that I do with my family and try to spend more time in the forest. Today I get to hike and swim in the stream at work; I am truly grateful that part of my job is doing things that truly replenish me.
That is awesome, hike and a swim while working!
How luck you are!
Doing improv makes me happy and tonight we have an open rehearsal: Like one of our shows, but looser, and with people from the audience invited to participate if they’d like to give it a try.
Seeing either of my daughters and getting a big hug makes me happy! One currently lives in Uruguay so that isn’t happening any time soon. The other lives approximately 300 miles away, and I’m hoping to plan a trip there in early July.
My garden growing, the smell of green growing things around our house drifting in through the windows, birds calling, the woodpecker that was knocking on a tree in the nearby park a few minutes ago, my husband bringing me fresh hot coffee in the morning: These are my current sources of happiness and I make time for this every morning to start my day.
Many things make me happy. I find it relatively easy to enjoy what’s happening, whether it’s a big community event or a smile and a wave from a neighbor or from someone I’m passing on the sidewalk. I live in a very friendly town and that brings me little bursts of happiness every time I have a friendly encounter. Being out in the world creates the opportunity for this happiness.
Also on my happy list: Dark chocolate sea salt truffles my husband puts on my side table, magically restocked when I run out. Cosmic Crisp apples (best apples in the world!), sliced and eaten cold and crunchy, maybe with some peanut butter and cinnamon to dip the slices into or some nice sharp cheese. Freshly baked bread. I’m almost through the loaf I baked on the weekend and will bake again next week.
Thursday we go to stay at my sister-in-law’s house, and seeing her always makes me happy. Friday we travel on to visit my sister and her husband in Friday Harbor–more happiness from the ferry ride to the San Juan Islands and from spending time with them.
I live an incredibly fortunate life full of many opportunities for happiness.
You sound joyful and fulfilled!
All this sounds wonderful! I loved our cruise through the San Juan Islands. I’d go back in a heartbeat!
Feeling frustrated right now. I wrote a very long answer to yesterday’s question that I couldn’t get to post despite multiple attempts. Posting this short venting to see if the problem has resolved.
I posted successfully here today. Can someone look at yesterday’s question and tell me if you see a long post from me there? (possibly duplicates!) I’ve cleared my cache and keep getting a “duplicate post” message without seeing that my original attempt actually posted.
I looked at yesterday’s posts,
dear Barb,
and I saw several short posts from you,
mostly responses
to other’s reflections,
but no long post.
This has happened to me
and I usually get results
from contacting the gratefulness team. ♥
Acceptance of what is. Willingness to grow, to let go and let be. Be well…Be Present. I’m not concerned about being happy. For me, the life-giving question I ask every day is “Who am I?”
Also, want to thank everyone for there kind words. I will carry them with me when I go to that appointment next week.
Blessings next week Carol Ann
You are loved,
dear Carol Ann. ♥
Carol Ann, it’s easy to go into what ifs with regrets and wish things were better. Ultimately, it’s all in the past, and everything happens for a reason.
I’d like to make space for spontaneous moments of happiness by making time to sleep enough, eating healthy meals, finding balance in my social and relationship life, and being attentive to when and how I overwork. My habits and compulsions can take over, and I’d like to wear down their electric charge so that I can have more space for the positive.
I have rephrased the question to, what gives me energy or revives me. Sun, warmth, a text, a handwritten card, a color variation in the petal of a flower, giggles, solving the wordle and connections puzzles and……
I make space by being aware.
Many things bring me contentment and I find joy in so many things. I am truly lucky in this aspect. I am easily amused.
I would like to make more time for meditation, playing music, hiking or riding, to name a few.
But making more time is the trick. Not to make excuses, but I am😁, but so much of my time is spent earning a living. What a weird thing to say out loud. But it’s true. And then there’s the exhaustion that comes with working a lot. I know there is time that can be used more efficiently to squeeze in more of these things that I find enjoyable, but it’s a seemingly difficult task.
Maybe I can make a daily schedule just for these things, just like I do for work. Hmmm, I’m curious to read your responses.
I seem to work a lot myself Charlie. Not nearly as much as when younger. Most everything I have done and do, involves a fair share of manual labor. I am a firm believer that I sleep well at night due the exertions (i.e. exhaustion) of a good day’s work with the goal of feeding myself and a few others. Nothing like the repair to my form that results from a good night’s slumber. Also, nothing like resting more often and just observing the comings and goings of the world that encircles me.
I have thought
that I didn’t have time for a lot of things,
dear Charlie,
but somehow
the time appeared,
and I did them anyway.
Somehow
I found the time
by making it.
You can too.
Start with picking one thing at a time . . .
you might surprise yourself. ♥
I am grateful I find joy in many resources: in nature, doing my practices, teaching Qigong and Yoga, being with my friends and family–this list goes on. My life is extremely busy at this time with my FT job, my part-time endeavors, and my family. I make time for joy by being intentional. I schedule checks in with several of my friends. I schedule time with my husband. I schedule time outdoors. I am schedule my spiritual practice. I am not rigid– life has currents and cross-currents. But, I know when I set the intention it’s much more likely to manifest.
”But, I know when I set the intention it’s much more likely to manifest.”
I have found this to be true for me as well,
dear Avril. ♥
Thank you Sparrow
While I know that happiness comes from within, there are many things in this beautiful world that make me happy. Fresh flowers in my chiropractor’s office yesterday that another client brought in from her garden – a colorful mix of some things I knew and some that I didn’t, but gorgeous yellow calla lilies that really made me smile💐Being with my yoga students makes me happy. Knowing that my offerings make them feel good in some way also makes me happy. My dogs. My husband. Butterflies. A bird sitting on top of an electric pole singing his little heart out when I left the post office yesterday. Poetry. The book I’m currently reading. This strong, foamy coffee from the Nespresso machine my friend gave me. I feel like I’m at a fancy French bistro with this stuff!
I do my best to make space to enjoy life. If we are going to be here in this world, may as well enjoy it, right? And share it!
Happy Wednesday ☀️
A big yes to enjoying what we witness, SunnyPatti.
We might as well,
dear SunnyPatti! ♥
Reading the bible makes me happy, and I do a lot of that.