Growth, a Journey

DP Photo Challenge – Growth, link here

 

Reflecting all that is around it, a drop forms, a nourishing drip of melted snow. The branch experiences stillness, a quiet presence of possibility. The tree readies herself for the coming season.

 

Leaves sprout, holding and protecting the new born bud.

 

 

How did they get there? Did the tree have to run out somewhere and get it? No, it has been within the tree all along. The Truth is already inside us.

We just be, as we watch our lives flower and unfold.

 

 

The bud grows, still asleep, dreaming of her awakening.

 

 

 

 

 

She begins her unfolding, surrounded by her beloved sisters. Energy from deep in the soil nurtures them, as does the rain from the clouds.

She blooms, her sisters still dreaming of their own rites of passage. She experiences the sun, the dew and her community. She is fully present with being alive.

 

 

 

A snow storm, a late freeze brings danger to our bloom and sister buds, as well as needed moisture for the tree. I imagine the tree smiling sadly, with tenderness and compassion for its delicate flower. Divine Love smiling upon Her child.

The flower has no fear. She is present with what is. None of the others will experience this unique moment as she does.

 

The ice begins to thaw. This mirror is in the prime of its own short existence as a drop, holding the Light just before falling to the ground.

 

 

This leaf has made it through, holding for a moment the experience of wetness and warm sun.

 

The sisters are opening, feeling the same warm sun and wet droplets. New life abounds.

 

 

 

New buds appear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And bloom.

 

Fully awake in this stage of their growth. The fragrance is subtle, sweet, intoxicating.

 

 

Experiencing waiting, being in the moment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The bees arrive

Being bees

 

A baby apple appears, a sister not far behind. A new chapter for this once closed up bud.

The harsh weather is not over…

Hail storms and whirling winds …..

 

She has experienced much so far, this little apple. Adversity has marked her, making her stronger whilst giving her character. She glows as she creates her seeds deep inside.

The Universe will provide us with many triggers, or opportunities to help us learn what we came here to experience. To help us grow.

Without loss, how would we know what true living is? Without sadness, would we know happiness? Without shadow, light? Perhaps it is within the contrasts that we learn the most here on this planet. In experiencing duality, we learn to grow beyond it, or awaken from it into Oneness and Love.

She is not embarrassed by her flaws, and fears not ridicule. She is part of the landscape, just as she is.

She is an elder now, her life complete. With my hand, I touch my friend gently. She steps onto my palm. She has given herself to me. We have been in relationship, as I have ducked beneath her on my walk along the path each day, noticing and loving her. I thank her reverently, and bite into her juicy flesh. Tart and sweet. I feel her life, her stages of growth within me as her energy fills my belly. I am completely mindful of each mouthful, how it tastes and feels. I eat three quarters, along with two seeds, which contain cyanide, an anti- cancer element in small doses. I can taste it, the flavor of almond. I take the rest to the horses. They will enjoy little morsels of apple. Maybe they will poop out the seeds and plant another tree. That is how most of the apple trees here began.

Though the apple’s life is complete, for the tree it has only been a season. Life experiencing life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“May the seeds of pure understanding come into full bloom within your being.”            Mooji

 

 

Each Transformation (part 2)

Link to part one

We hold within us every age we have ever been. Each age had experiences, some more difficult than others. My inner 12- year -old who lost her mother, needs reassurance from me at times. We must be compassionate with the ones who were hurt, and support their healing. Most ages stay present, until they are healed. Some wiser ones stay on as they resonate with the frequency of Love and growth. Others we may enjoy become stronger. My 8 -year- old is a big part of who I am now. She is strong, wise, innocent and fun. My dog, Mattie, loves that part of me.

What we believe determines our experience. We must take responsibility for this. As we love what is, we become full of joy, gratitude and happiness.

When will we notice the transformation we are in now? How will we create peace out of the chaos? How do we create happiness and contentment within?

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When will we transform the “power over” way of doing things to “Power within” and promote working together?  When we do this naturally within ourselves, we will see the changes in the outer world.

When will we wander through the portals into different, unexplored dimensions?

How will we move from duality to Unity consciousness with all life?

Change is constantly contracting and expanding. How will we change to resonate with peace and Love?

As seeds grow into adulthood, so must we grow into our Authentic selves

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying the moment, yet ready to let go

Enjoy the now moment in all its purity and innocence.

Love what is without judgement or attachment. Transform beyond.

Judgements hold us back.   Discernment allows us to know when to step in and help.

As we experience dark nights of our Soul, so Gaia mirrors this for us as She goes through Her own, awaiting Her new dawn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During these shifts that are happening now, we must trust in a Greater Truth. We must see the big picture. Hawk teaches us in the light of day

While Owl teaches us through the dark.

She teaches us about our own transformation. As we change through the dark, Owl helps us with our fears of the unknown.  She helps us in the world of shadow. As Dewin  says in a comment in one of his current posts,  “She is a perfect companion for navigating safe passage through the dark.”

Trust that everything is unfolding as it must.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This unique earth vessel we wear is ephemeral,

while our souls are eternal.  A drop of water within a beautiful sea.

 

 

 

 

 

We bloom, we flower, we die…only to be reborn. Each small death grieved, each rebirth celebrated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

There is beauty in the death as well, as it offers seeds from its once vital life

Just as a flower grows and blossoms in an atmosphere of nutrition, moisture and plenty of sun light, so we grow more toward who we are in an atmosphere of love, acceptance and joy.

These asters are accepting of who they are and of what is.

If we see that mirror, we become more that way. Then it echoes all over the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The less judgement about what is, the more creative and expansive we will be.

 

 

 

 

 

The more we can compassionately forgive ourselves for our judgements, the more freedom we experience.

Into the flow of Love

The canvass is yours to paint.

 

 

Click on photos for a closer view

Peeking At Me Peeking At You

The WP Daily Post Photo Challenge of this week is Peek.

When peeking at someone or something, it is enchanting to notice them peeking back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A connection is made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A momentary relationship.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A brief encounter that touches the heart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now, as I peek at your heart, there you are peeking at mine.

Blessed Be.

 

Bridging the Depths

The WordPress Photo Challenge this week is “Bridge.”

When you perceive a transition in your life, how do you approach the bridge between where you are now, and what lies ahead? How are you with yourself when stepping on to this bridge? What do you take with you? What do you leave behind?

We may be drawn to cross a bridge, or to accept a challenge as Life’s opportunity for Heart to discover greater truth. What will be on the other side? What is the greater truth you are looking for? What do you think you will find there? How does this Truth connect you, or bridge you to Spirit?

As you start over the bridge, it may be a little scary. Are you afraid of heights? Transitions take a fair amount of courage. We may protect ourselves and cross a strong, sturdy bridge.

Or, throw caution to the wind and cross a rickety one. Either way, Trust is paramount.

When you start over the bridge, is your goal to quickly get to the other side, or do you enjoy the moment, and the scenery within? Take your time. You can stay on the bridge for as long as you like. Perhaps some reflection can teach you something. The new is patiently waiting for you to be ready, and will guide you to proceed in perfect timing.

When crossing the bridge into the unknown, we may walk into our shadow. Embrace it. Heal it. The Light is being held for you.

A way to get to a destination when it seems you can’t get there from here. There may be obstacles, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.

Maybe you need distance from something in your life. I used to call it a geographical cure. Running from something? Or running toward something that serves you better?

What bridges the gap for you between suffering and living in joy? Joy is a choice. Choice is the bridge.

Dissolving the distance with a loved one who is physically far away over the Rainbow Bridge. Feel the connection in your heart. They are with you. Love is the bridge.

There is our physical world and the Spiritual realm. How do you bridge the two? For me, it is imagining, and holding the vision of Light, Love, Gratitude and Peace; and listening to the silence, to the still small voice within, to a Higher calling. It is witnessing my ego, healing it and experiencing Oneness. Feeling the Divine connection between Soul and personality.

How do we bridge the gap through our differences in this world?

Peace stands on the bridge, the green Earth Spirit guardian is but a breath away, a thought away,  a choice ~ a way.

May we live in Peace, Love and Joy together on this earth, until we cross the bridge to whatever is next.

Choosing My Focus

Focusing on the crispness and blurs of focus today,  as I ponder the WordPress weekly photo challenge about such.
Throughout any given day, I experience many phases of focus. In this moment, watching the shadows of leaves dancing on my page, I concentrate on being in the moment, focused on Nature. The breeze is soft on my skin, as the grasses sway. I hear the haunting flute notes of the mourning dove, the “yank yank” chatter of the busy nuthatch as he eats insects on the tree, mostly upside down.
I hear the melodic songs of the grosbeak and the robin;

 

 

 

the rhythmic clicking of the cicada as it warms up for its continuous afternoon trill; the chatter of the red squirrel high in the conifer trees; the distant echoing of thunder; the musical beating wings of hummingbirds;

the “bougainviiiiiiia,” “Mamameeeea,” territorial cry of the red winged blackbird;

The chirping crickets, the “drink your teeeeea,” phrases of the spotted towhee; the sweet song of the wren; the cry of the red tailed hawk; the buzzing of bees and other insects;

the incessant humorous repetitions of the parent magpies teaching their young words, inflections and sentences. If I were patient and focused enough, I could probably figure out their different sounds, but languages are hard to learn, especially those not Latin based.
I see colors, shapes, patterns, and movement. I smell pine, oak leaves and flowering wild roses.
This focus and attunement with Nature always brings me to happiness, gratitude, and being in my heart space.

At other times, I find myself triggered into a focus of sadness and anger, especially because of the mistreatment of our Mother.
Sometimes it is just a matter of taking care of my body. Have I eaten enough? Gotten enough sleep? Lack of these makes me irritable, which can put me into an awful mood, focused on what makes me upset, and I go downhill from there.
What is the world mirroring to me in these moments? What has arisen for me to heal, forgive, and love?     

The incompetence of huge corporations, as they wield such power over our lives, frustrates me to great lengths. How much control do I have over this situation? Not much. The only thing I have control of is my perception, focus and reaction, and then how I am with myself during them.

Will battling our land line phone company bring back our disabled service any sooner? I have fought with them, going around in circles, solving nothing. One can’t win when fighting reality. What is it about being a victim that needs focus and healing? I also had a recent experience in an airport that was traumatic for me – again feeling like a victim. I have compassion for my inner victim, and forgive myself for judging her. How could I have taken better care of myself?
By letting go of the need for control

Letting go

Letting go more

Letting go sooner

Sometimes we need to focus on our healing.
Sometimes being out of focus is important. There is great beauty in being out of focus…in just being. Sometimes in prayer, when asking for something specific, details are important in our visualizations.

 

 

At other times, we need to leave space for the Highest Good of All Concerned. We may not know what that looks like, and may only have a blurred idea. When we feel the Divine Beauty in our hearts, details fall away.

Blurriness inspires the imagination.

Judgements steal my focus too, at times. A mirror of this for me is the magpies harassing the red – tailed hawks. I judge them for grabbing the feathers of my friend, and devoted spirit animal, leaving them torn and tattered.

The blackbirds chase them too. These hawks don’t hurt them. Theirs is a diet of rodents. The magpies eat baby birds out of the nest. Are they projecting that onto the hawk? Cowbirds lay their eggs in smaller bird’s nests, because they don’t want to take care of their own children. Their babies grow up bigger, and out- compete the host babies. Why don’t the blackbirds go after them? It doesn’t seem fair. But there are no judgements in Nature. The magpies had just fledged their babies and felt extra protective.

See? It is again my projection about big corporations and political power. When do I stand up? When do I let it go? If I have no control, let it go. If I am guided to act, then act.
A double focus is sometimes called for. Higher, bigger picture and smaller, detailed picture. Hawk vision and bug vision.

 

 

 

A bug’s journey over the great abyss

As Jackson Browne wrote in his song, For a Dancer in the early ‘70’s – “Perhaps a better world is drawing near. Just as easy it could all disappear.” Maybe we will leave the planet as a species. She will heal Herself when we are gone. Maybe a miracle appears, and we pull out of this. Maybe we all ascend and She comes with us. I guess we will find out. In the meantime, what is our focus?

I haven’t posted (with the exception of a small Thanksgiving faerie) since November, 8th – election day. I don’t want to get into politics, only to say it threw me. My muse left me that day. My focus has been all over the place. I have been journaling a lot, but nothing posted. Red-tailed hawk has been sticking to me like glue – following me on my walks, answering me as I try to imitate her cry and call to her, circling me when I need to remember Truth, planting herself on the tree just outside my bedroom when I need support or comfort.

She reminds me always of the big picture. I do better there – keeping my focus on the Trust that something of Higher Good is unfolding. My goal is to focus on Love, Beauty, Gratitude and Grace. What we focus on is our choice. It creates our reality.

However, I can’t overlook what needs to heal within me. I pay attention to the mirrors and shadows that call my attention.

 

 

 

 

As I forgive myself for judgements that I project, healing takes place. My inner child is joyful and wise. She is my muse.

I hold a double focus – being mad at CenturyLink, for example, who can’t be bothered with fixing our phone – doing what I can to remedy the situation, then healing the little victim within me, with the help of lacey blue flax, swaying in the wind unharmed. She holds no tension in her body. The wind bothers her not at all. A double focus of this woodland scene, and the worldwide scene. Projecting Love and Grace.
Letting go.

Higher Self witnessing small self with Compassion

Today is the longest day. The day of most light. I celebrate the Light today, and focus on that, like these little twin faeries concentrating on the Light ahead.

I have missed you all. Hopefully I am back. My intention is to visit those of you with blogs, and see what you have been up to. I have felt my absence from you every day, and longed for my muse to return. I have had no internet for long stretches as well, so no communication was possible, except on rare trips to town. Even my travels took me to places with no internet or phone service.

I have had a lot of great experiences since November – travels, adventures, time with loved ones, lots of depth, laughter and tears, and beautiful quiet time in the woods.

Part of my missing muse came about from the felt sense that I could no longer “walk my talk,” having posted Chaos and Calm right before the election. I have worked on forgiving myself for all that nonsense, too, and know that you all will welcome me back lovingly.
Thank you for your friendship and support. Happy Solstice!!!
Blessings, Love and Light!

Chaos and Calm

 

When I look at the world around me, I see chaos. I see beauty. I am challenged by the riotous and frenzied clamor, and seek to find peace within it. Part of that, for me, is staying mindful in the moment, within both.  It is all the same energy. We are all one.

This ocean wave hits the rock. The droplets scatter, and separate into individual forms, and fall back into the oneness of the sea.

Turbulence ebbs.

When we find ourselves in rough water; instead of fighting it, we go with the flow.

We must ride the tide as our world changes, and as we do so, it can be kind of fun, with the awareness and trust that no matter what, we will be okay.  Can you see the little duck riding the wave?

Standing in the middle of pandemonium, we are solid on our foundation of Love and Harmony.

The best way for me to be a peaceful activist at my age is to pray; to Love the Earth and see Her as whole and well; to be happy and joyous; to put energy of gratitude, joy, freedom and love out there, like an arrow I shoot into the sky that bursts with color and covers the planet with Grace for the Highest Good.

I find a fine line between staying above the fray, and wanting to do something. How can I be of service, yet not get out of balance?

When I see this jumbled mess that seems to be our world today, I accept that it is what it is right now, and I do what I can in my own little part of the world to heal and transform, as I am called.

Part of this is healing and transforming myself through loyalty to my inner child and to my Soul. I try to live as authentically in my heart as I can, and let’s not forget the importance of humor!

 

When I feel tumultuous confusion, and helter- skelter all around,  I breathe in energy and it becomes so strong, it radiates out of my heart. I focus on the Divine.  Chaos cannot penetrate Light such as this.

Sunrise on the coast of Maine

I feel blessed to place my feet upon our Mother.

I breathe in her love, and as I exhale, I love her right back. I feel Her energy coming up through my feet as I inhale – up through my body, and out the top of my head. The Light from above fills me from the top of my head as I exhale, and I let it flow down through my body, out my feet and into Her, becoming rooted, balanced and centered.

So, when issues do inevitable come up, there is a rooted strength upon which to stand.

A strength from which to flow gently. Softly.

A flow can have magnificent strength,

as well as gentle, passing calm.

We can have the  strength to stand up within the issues, as well as the flexibility to flow with them.

How do we not get hooked or snagged by the chaos?

How do we find order within the frenzy?

How can we have calmness amidst the storm?

How can we learn from this entropy that seems to be occurring?

What is your deepest dream that can rise like a phoenix from the ashes, to heights you never thought possible?

When you are hooked by the uncertainty, how is it a mirror for you?

Do you see how the outer is a reflection of what is going on inside of you? The ego tells us stories about what is going on. The bigger picture is really quite different.

When you feel upside down and all topsy-turvey, can you let yourself just be there for a little bit instead of thinking it is wrong to feel that way?

Enjoy the feeling. Let it be. Acknowledge it. Love it. Forgive yourself for judging it as wrong.

Reflections are upside down.

We are in interesting times right now. Polarized. Never has the falseness of duality been so strong, and so apparent.

We are waking up. We are remembering who we are. More and more every day, we are coming into unity. It is a beautiful thing. Difficult at times, yes. But I do believe that what is in store for us is beyond our wildest wonderful dreams. It is happening right now, so be here now.

My cousin, Mike sent me this quote from a Dan Brown novel. The main character, a teacher says this:

” I should warn you that unveiling the truth is never easy. Throughout history, every period of enlightenment has been accompanied by darkness, pushing in opposition. Such are the laws of nature and balance. And if we look at the darkness growing in the world today, we have to realize that this means there is equal light growing. We are on the verge of a truly great period of illumination, and all of us…are profoundly blessed to be living through this pivotal moment of history.”

May the beauty of the uncertainty and formlessness assist you in the creation of your highest and deepest truth.

 

To see other folks’ entries for DP the photo challenge – “Chaos,” click here.

 

 

Basking in Pasque Flowers

On a hillside meadow amidst an oak woodland lives a small community of Pasque Flowers. Maybe they are wild crocus. I can’t identify them quite, in any of my Rocky Mountain or Plants of the Southwest books. There are slight deviations from each example. They come up just after domestic crocus, but before anything else, except a couple of dandelions, of course. I think they are called Easter flowers too, since they come up so early in spring.

They are hearty, and adversity brings out even more color as they venture above ground. Look at these sacred gems, holding drops of rain or melting snow!

 

Such treasures of inner beauty and wisdom, they reflect to the world.

I have watched how they handle rain, snow and the passage of time, with strength, elegance and generosity.

 

They are also nice, early food for the bees. This may be this flower’s first contact with a bee.

Can’t you just hear their spirits laughing, rolling around in there?

They are so in love with each other. A simple kindness and dependency shared between them.

Notice the pollen basket on this bee’s leg.  She will take it all back to her hive.

The bee’s knees.

It is almost too full for her to fly home, but she doesn’t want to leave her beautiful friend, Pasque. She may travel as far as two miles to engage here, but well worth the trip! Bees actually taste through their legs.

Bees remind us to drink in the sweetness in our life, and to enjoy community. Also to diligently pursue our dreams. I am reminded to just BEe.

Are you taking the time to enjoy your activities and productivity, and to find your truth?

I am in love with these flowers! I kneel to their Divinity, bow to their beauty, delight in all their unique personalities and lie down on my belly, and laugh with them, as we wait for bees, beneath the clouds and sun. We are all in relationship. We are in Spirit’s embrace.

Pasque flowers gather in groups, stand alone or with one or two friends.

A wound came up for me to heal last week. It was my inner 12 year old. I just let her be with the flowers, say what she needed to say, feel what she needed to feel and express what emotions needed to be expressed.

I just loved her through it for several days, and now she feels fine. The flowers helped immensely. You just never know when the inner children will bring something up that you thought was already complete. Oh well. I guess we aren’t done until we are.

They also have an ethereal nature at certain times of day.

My friends here, mirror my own field, and I feel my centers strengthen as I gaze upon their color.

If I feel anxious, where is this anxiety coming from? What fear lurks?  What do I need to soften it? What excites me and gives me passion?

Is my Heart open? When do I feel it constrict? When does it feel more expansive? When I am still, I can connect to the Christ Consciousness, and be one with Divine Love. My relationships open my heart, as does my attunement with Nature.

Am I communicating too much, too little or in balance? Do I feel open? Free to express? Can I speak from my heart?

Attention to intuition

Unity with all that is.

They mirror my own Loving and mystery within my heart.

They reflect all different parts of me, if I look deeply

Just looking at her calms me.

Vibrancy

Feeling their presence and absorbing vitality.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twin Flames

Elegant Maturity

Girly girl. It’s fun to dress up once in a while.

Indigo Children I have known

Harmony

Reverence

Sisters

Parent and Child

 

Tiny Dancer

They bring me to this still now moment, and I feel well balanced.

The flowers are on their way out now. I think I took my last pictures of them today, after a snow. I am so grateful for their presence and friendship these last 3 weeks.
Thank you, Easter Flowers!

Angles of Perspective

This post is in response to the Daily Post weekly photo challenge. This one is about taking pictures of the same object at different angles.

This creekside rock is part of the landscape.

A red-tailed hawk, visionary of the air,  may barely notice it as she soars above.

Do you see the smaller pile of rocks just above the first curve, behind the thin tree?

This is that pile.   It is the home of a lizard. The top of this rock holds his whole world.

To another animal, perhaps a small mouse who lives in a hole close to the creek, the rock is just something to notice as he drinks in the evening.  It is the bottom of it that he sees, and the designs on it.  As his little tongue ripples the water, the reflection changes. I wonder if he knows it is the same rock, mirrored. I would guess not.

I walk on top to visit my friend, the lizard. He comes out to greet me.

Later, I go back across the stream to sit. I meditate with the rock, enjoying another perspective completely.

We are all One, yet we see things so differently.

The outer world is a mirror of our own unique inner reality.

May we see love and unity as our world changes and shifts. May our hearts be open to all that is.

Perspective.

May we be empathic to the perspective of others, and observant of our own.

We lost a beautiful teacher recently. Dr. Wayne Dyer. I remember him telling a story about perspective. It went something like this.  He was almost bald, with a thin band of hair. He said, “you might look at me and think that I don’t have much hair. But if you saw this little bit of hair in say…..your soup, you would think it was a lot of hair. Perspective.”

It is transforming to see the world through many perspectives. In hawk vision, we see the big picture – the overall view. There is much responsibility in this awareness. Compassion and wisdom can be aquired here. It is a higher perspective. It is a vantage point from which we see that all gifts are equal in the eyes of the Great Spirit.

From mouse vision, much detail can be seen. We can look at ourselves and others very carefully.  Slow down and really look.  Look deeply, as if through a magnifying glass.

And our dear lizard is prominent in dreamtime. With lizard as a friend, symbology becomes a deep perspective. Quiet listening in several worlds, separated only by a thin veil.  Breathing deeply into and through our shadow, we grow in deep wisdom.  As we pay attention to our dreams and the symbols therein, lizard shows us the subtleties of perception.

This picture was snapped from the rock with zoom lens

As our world changes, and we change within it, may our perspective hold a great amount of gratitude.

 

 

 

 

Finding Your Own North Star

After my last post (Happiness), I received some very lovely and thought – provoking comments. I would like to share some of the highlights throughout this post. Thank you all for your beautiful, thoughtful responses.

The pictures may seem random, but in the end you will see why they are in this post.

When I turned 60, I created a DecadesWalk for myself. My cousin Jessica,
from New Zealand (who helped make it a ceremony), my cousin Mike, and my husband Bill witnessed my story and my commitments to self for my 70^th decade. The main theme of the decade for me, is Happiness.

Throughout my life, I have experienced many bouts of happiness, but to be mindful of Happiness as a state of being is another thing altogether. I used to depend on happiness triggers to be happy.  I thought there had to be something that would make me happy. Now I know this is not so.

There seem to be many levels to happiness.

I enjoy the FEELINGS of happiness that happen because of certain events like photographing cloud reflections in pools, but Happiness as a state of being involves choice, as inspired by the Dalai Lama’s words quoted in my last post.  In this post, when referring to the State of Happiness, I will use a capital “H”, but not for the feeling of happiness.

First Light

Michele, in the comments wrote, “Everyone seems to have their own north star to get to the place of happiness within.”  She then speaks wisely about the choice, and ways to stay in it.  She also acknowledges that “whatever we can accomplish here is a real miracle, given the complexity of our lives,” and she ends with,” Happiness is a really big deal!”

It really is a big deal! It seems so simple, and it is, but hard to stay centered and balanced in the world today. I think we – or I will speak for myself – I need the “happy becauses” to juice or boost my inner peace, and I am, of course, susceptible to the “unhappy or upset becauses,” which disturb my peace as well. These upsets, I can heal with love and self compassion as they appear.

I know that for myself, saying “I am” and being aware of my breath can bring me back to the present moment and in touch with my Happiness. Tai chi, meditation and prayer help me immensely, as does mindful walking in nature.  I am healing those things that mess with my Happiness, like fears that we won’t have enough water this year to keep the beavers alive, or about all the species that have disappeared because of climate change, or horrific events in the world.

I do know that the more inner peace, bliss and love I have in the silence within, the Happier my Being is.

Kris said, “Thank you for pointing out the relationship between mindfulness in the moment and happiness, and for pointing out that happiness is not about _____. Happiness is.”

I was melancholy for a lot of my life, due to circumstances and my unconscious belief that I was a victim of them. I did have many bouts of happiness during those periods, and I think even during periods of depression I would have told anyone who asked, that I was happy. I think even back then, I felt Happiness within that was beyond “because.” I didn’t realize at the time that staying in that place was a conscious choice.

I know that the more I choose Happiness, the more Peace I bring into my thoughts and the more Love I bring into my heart; the more I am able to recognize and appreciate beauty and happiness.

Jessica wrote about a time she saw the Dalai Lama.  He came onto the stage and sat down, and just started to chuckle. The audience followed suit. Then he started really laughing, which started everyone else laughing.  They all laughed harder and harder, until he just got up and left. Jessica loved that message of happiness.  She also talked about seeing the beauty in people and being totally immersed and present in their beauty in the moment.

I believe that the outer world is a reflection of inner reality, so to me, Jessica – you have that beauty in your own heart, or you wouldn’t see it in others. You see your inner beauty and Happiness reflected in their beautiful eyes, like a “Namaste” moment.

Photograph by Carlos Eyles

Randy said, “sharing time with friends manifests happiness.  My key, or path to happiness is a deep gratitude for the smallest, simplest expressions of life, nature, kindness, sunrises, rain, tears, laughter, life.”

What you said, Randy very much resonates with me too.

What stood out for Sam was the Dalai Lama saying, “Right now!  This is my happiest moment.”

The last comment I want to mention is from Nancy. “I treasure the memory of 2 little girls walking in the woods together playing in the stream, being in the moment with the nature around us.”

That other little girl was me, and my Happiness within started then, as a child being present in nature.

When you engage in the vibration of Happiness, it attracts more happiness. Alignment with Soul Happiness equals love and peace. Fear and attachment is the antithesis of love and peace.

Photograph by Carlos Eyles

Seeking Happiness is a sacred pathway to Soul purpose. As the Dalai Lama says, “Happiness is the purpose of life.”

I love the happiness triggers, but have a deeper Love for the inner State of Happiness, as it is more lasting and dependable, even though paradoxically harder in which to be aware, mindful and present.

A few of my happiness triggers that remind me to be more present in Happiness are these:

• Being in Nature
• Laughing ducks – well it sounds like laughter
• Duck butts, and their little webbed feet kicking beside them
  
  
• Dolphin squeaks, whirrs and clicks
• Whale songs
• Goose music
• Water sounds – crashing waves, lapping waves, trickling streams, loud waterfalls, roaring rivers
• Beauty – nature beauty, music, art, dance, peoples’ inner beauty
• The ability to feel deeply even though sometimes it hurts so much, it is hard to bear.
• Kindness – interspecies rescue and relationship, as well as random acts of kindness – witnessing and participating
• Creating
• Singing at the top of my lungs in my car alone with the windows rolled up
• Singing with friends
• Laughing so hard and out of control with friends that it hurts (no need for further abdominal exercise that day!)
• Sharing tears; ones of sadness and ones of joy
• Appreciating simple things, like bubble patterns on water or a grasshopper on a blade of grass, or the patterns in an oak leaf.

Photograph by Brett Housego

• Mindful walking
• Seeing wildlife of any kind
• Focusing on gratitude
• Purple mountain majesty
• Breathing deeply
• The pair of mallards on the pond right now
• Feeling music so much in my body that I have to dance
• The smell of this jasmine tea right now and eating Fig Newtons with it, and thinking about how Bill’s step son called them “big new ones” when he was little.
• Rising before the sunrise to watch the day begin – first light on the pond
• Hiking alone, with a loved one and/or with Mattie.
• Spending time with friends, old and new.
• Seeing people happy, especially those I love (though not attached to that!).

This list is endless, for which I am grateful. The more my inner state is Happy, the more I get to experience the “happy becauses.”

What is your North Star for finding Happiness within?