Happiness

Today was a day to fill myself up.  Have forgotten about fun and friends for too long.  I called a friend and we went out to breakfast, then I stood with our Women in Black vigil.  Much healing occurred.

Sometimes it takes another person to straighten out our crooked eyes, so the time shared at breakfast was more than food for the belly.  And I realized that virtual hugs are awesome, but the real human thing cannot be replaced. 


I have not mentioned that Mr. Carol For Peace has been out of town for most of the great adventure that has taken place this past week.  So there have been no hugs and no one but me to take care of Buddha.  Good thing the Buddha is so appropriately named.  He has been an understanding and supportive companion at all times.

While standing vigil alongside a street full of holiday shoppers, something within me opened up.  We are a group of women dressed all in black as a sign of mourning for the atrocities of war.  Today I could no longer be in a place of mourning.  I wanted to wish happiness to each driver and passenger.  I wanted happiness.  I wanted happiness for my family.  We can have happiness even when we have no health or wealth and when the situations of the world are not to our liking.  We can be happy with those who oppose what we say.  We can be happy just for the sake of being happy.  No conditions are required, being happy just because we are alive.


It was all so beautiful.  I couldn't help but to smile.  A lot.  I connected with drivers and and pedestrians, not with words, but with eyes - in a deep, human connection.

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."
— Thich Nhat Hanh 

Happiness right now IS peace.  

"Each moment is a chance for us to make peace with the world, to make peace possible for the world, to make happiness possible for the world."
— Thich Nhat Hanh (Teachings on Love)  

 

 

 

 

(You have my permission to remind me of this post the next time I lose my footing, okay?)