Ripples #785: The Happy Within.

Ripples #785: The Happy Within.
A splash of inspiration
from The Ripples Guy
9 June 2014

PEBBLE:
Be happy, and a reason will come along.
-Robert Brault, shared by Cynthia in Palos Heights, IL

BOULDER:
Happiness is not in
our circumstances,
but in ourselves.
It is not something we see,
like a rainbow,
or feel,
like the heat of the fire.
Happiness is something we are.
-John B. Sheerin, shared by Pete in San Luis Obispo, CA

PONDER:
It can be useful to think of happiness not as something to be found be searching around in the world, but instead something to be excavated from within.  Of course this doesn’t mean we aren’t impacted by WHAT happens around us or WHO we encounter.  It just means that regardless of what is going on, WE need to stay in charge of our happiness.  And speaking of happiness, there is a bounty of it waiting to be experienced just by taking a few deep breaths and allowing it to surface.  Can you feel it?

If you CAN feel it:  GO! Go spread it around with smiles, kind words, and small favors.

Still not feeling it?  Well, perhaps you could go spread some smiles and kind words and small favors anyway; it could be that happiness needs you to prime the pump a bit in order for it to seep into your soul.

Peace,
Paul
p.s.  I’ll add briefly that I don’t think happiness CAN or SHOULD be the sole focus in our quest for a fulfilling life, nor should other feelings like sadness and frustration be avoided or demonized.  I just believe that a steady source of internalized happiness can potentially increase our effectiveness and enjoyment of work, school, and life.  Get it? Got it?  Good!