People who inspire me tend to illustrate how similar we all are, rather than how different. They reveal what is most special inside each one of us, instead of insisting that they are more special than the rest. They are leaders who unite, rather than divide. Teachers who speak with integrity, as opposed to ego. Spiritual guides with grace, and without grandiosity Friends, relatives, and neighbors who do selfless, substantial, soul-strengthening things when no one is looking, all day long, just because . . .
His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai, for example, will often tell audiences that we are all the same. We fundamentally want only one thing in life: To be happy. In the video below, taken last year when he was in Boston, the Dalai Lama explains that our best chance for being happy is by, first, being present. He offers that by continually distracting and overstimulating our senses (with TV, music, etc.), we run the risk of being dependent on these experiences and sad when we do not have them. This leaves us feeling "lonely" and "uncomfortable," he says.
So, today, I'd like to turn it over to you, readers . . . What makes you happy to the fully present core of your being? Let's enumerate all the ways, large and small, triumphant and trivial, in which we feel grounded, joyful, creative, supported, and calm. Happy Friday!
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It sounds a little corny, but I love the feeling of doing very simple chores around my house. I recently started working at my job a lot less (from 40 hours to 10) so that I can go to school and I've found myself with such a flexible schedule. (Even though I'm still quite busy and working hard.)
I've found that I can take a break from writing and reading and sweep the floor, make a real lunch, take my little cart to the grocery store, or to the laundry, tote my wet clothes home and hang them to dry on my porch.
This all makes me feel very connected to my life, and connected to the other women in my family who did these chores this way, instead of at 11 o'clock at night or at 6am with the radio on.
Being outdoors in nature, where I feel that the things I stress about on a day-to-day basis (dang Type A personality!) are ridiculous and pointless, and all that matters is me breathing in Mother Nature. Whether that means walking my pooch along the Greenway, running along the Esplanade, listening to the ocean roll in and out in Rhode Island, hiking in Vermont, or seeing the wonders of nature around and across the globe, I always find myself zeroing in on the right here, right now, and that's all that matters.
When everyone around me is happy too, I feel like happiness is contagious. When you're surrounded by people who share this positivity and care that you are happy as well, then I feel like I'm in the presence of happiness.
I'm also really happy when the small things are just right. For example, if I put too much milk in my oatmeal...it's soggy, rather than a thicker consistency which I prefer. When I take a nice walk, and just by chance I see someone that I haven't seen in a long time. When my Mom and I have time to talk over the phone and share what's been happening in our lives. And when the sun is out. I really like the sun. :) After living in Beijing, where the weather is so polluted and gray, I wake up every morning and I can be grateful to see a beautiful sun and blue skies.
Play with my little dog, sounds a little stupid but really. He is always in the present ready to play and looking at him reminds me to be in the present too. Plus he always has the same happy face when I open the door.
Not wanting more, and just being with what I am doing.
This is a practice that I am still learning.
My consciousness is still outward and teched up and have become more aware of this.
Happiness is a want, when we need not want, for it is there.
Waking up in th morning, drinking coffe, sucking on nicotine lozengers, ( my new cig ) and petting my cat and dog while vicariously surffing the net. While snarfing something doughy.
Waking up to a beautiful sunny day, eating delicious healthy food, running and practicing yoga all make me truly happy. Not only do these things make me happy but they've also helped me become more present and helped me learn to experience life by living it consciously. Being with my family, friends, and just enjoying the company of others also make me really happy. Like Megan said, "Happiness is contagious," so I'm always trying to surround myself with positive people and positive energy so my life is constantly full of bliss.
:)
Chocolate
These comments make me happy! I love the honesty & authenticity. Much love! R
I'm sitting in the airport in Orlando, waiting for a flight to my "home" of Boston - still strange to say after moving there 1 1/2 years ago. I just left my little sisters to board their flight to VA and cried my eyes out much of the morning, knowing that I'd have to say goodbye.
I spent the weekend with them in Disney World, which epitomizes happiness. When I'm there, reality is suspended. Kids are laughing, I'm entertained by corny acts and characters, and dreams really do come true.
The girls have taken up my love for running, and I had the joy of watching them run a 5k then finishing my own 1/2 marathon. The hard work and sense of accomplishment is so much stronger when felt on behalf of someone else you love so much. I'm truly happy there because my loved ones come alive and I WAS in the moment. I wouldn't have dared to miss a moment.
Such a nice post
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