Finding happy

Happiness is the sun shining, the smell of spring and the sounds of the rain. It's listening to the birds singing while the sun comes up, its sipping coffee before anyone else is awake.  Happiness is the tiny hand of your child in yours, its taking quiet moments for yourself and spending time with those you love.  Happiness is sitting in traffic, waiting in line, and running late for an appointment.  Happiness is tears of joy and tears of grief.  Happiness is set backs and achievements, mistakes and successes.  Happiness is peace and peace is realizing that you always possess the freedom to choose your outlook. 

External forces do not affect one who is totally at peace.  The situations in your life happen because they are the situations that you need. Eckhart Tolle says "The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but your thoughts about it."  Its easy to resent that statement, especially when faced with real tragedy or extreme challenges.  But the truth is that happiness exists within, always and forever. We can't seek out something that we already possess, and this is why people who go looking for happiness may never find it. Its not about looking outward, to what is temporary, its about looking within.  Accepting each and every moment for exactly what it is and letting go of our expectations. On our yoga mat, its about releasing our desire to come into the full expression of a pose which our bodies aren't ready for and giving ourselves permission to be where we truly need to be.  Off of our mat, its about letting go of how we think an event or situation should unfold and surrendering ourselves to the events as they happen.  Surrender does not mean giving up, it means participating fully in the moment in which you find yourself, being present, and accepting fully and completely each moment as it is.  

Everything that you need, you already have. Its just a matter of remembering.  Keep your attention to this moment.  Let go of the past, release your worry about the future and cherish every moment as it comes to you.  Be happy and be at peace.


Finish every day and be done with it.You have done what you could.
Some blunders and absurdities
no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Today is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be cumbered with your old nonsense.
This day is all that is good and fair.
It is too dear,
with its hopes and invitations,
to waste a moment on yesterdays.
                           -Ralph Waldo Emerson