"I reckon a man is about as happy as he makes up his mind to be." - Abraham Lincoln
"When you are not living up to your potential, it's easy to project your positive traits onto people who are living up to theirs. When you start to fulfill your own dreams and goals you'll become less interested in what other people are doing. We each need to become our own hero."- Debbie Ford
"Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live."
- Dorothy Thompson
We don't take joy seriously or make a functional commitment to be happy. We may vaguely wish to be happy as if it were purely a matter of chance - yet chance is ultimately the smallest part of joy. Commitment and intention rule - and thinking makes it so. This is not "positive thinking." We can't "gut" our way to joy; we must lure it by creating the right conditions. Like kids freely playing in nature. It's good to feel that freedom, to accept our own private song. Even better, this new spirit greets the world and greets others in a wonderful new way - bringing wonderful new results..."
A L O H A ! Cloudia
What impedes my path to joy? Malaise and inertia -- both awful "diseases" to have.
ReplyDeleteSolitude is necessary for meditation, but lonely, too.
Buddha said that life is suffering. But he smiled kindly. The challenges and pains led him to compassion. The balm of attention, presence and caring we spread on others permeates the atmosphere of our life. Then we look up at the deer rustling in the branches and are sartled by overwhelming joy and gratitude, unbidden. When we stop complaining and walk humbly, then we are surprised by joy that pleasure-seekers never glympse...
ReplyDeleteof course I meant "STARTLED"
ReplyDeleteGiGi is fearless in her examination of herself, but too harsh I think. The human condition she confesses is the disease we all share. If we do it the right way we lessen the load for us all.
Ah! The duality of life! Solitude/Loneliness
It's wonderful to go out walking in Hawaii - and just as wonderful to arrive home: balance. Life in this material world is a dance of opposites exploring balance...Thanks, GiGi for the authentic dialogue.