AWAKENING TO CREATE HAPPINESS

“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.” Jim Rohn

Photo: Georganne Spruce

Are there any little things in your life that make you happy? Are you always looking for something better or bigger? What is the smallest thing that ever brought you happiness?

We are all different I know, but I learned a long time ago that the world, particularly the natural world, is an interesting place. There’s nothing I enjoy more than walking through a forest and discovering something I’ve never seen before or a pattern of flowers or bark on a tree that is unique or particularly aesthetically pleasing.

Nature Can Provide Us With Delightful Moments

I remember when I was at the Botanical Gardens in Denver and saw the trees in the picture above. The knots on the trees looked like eyes, as if the inner tree were looking out at me and smiling. I was delighted and even laughed out loud as I imagined the conversation the two might have been having and how they were teasing me with their look.

I’ve always felt One with nature, having spent a childhood outdoors a great deal. These little experiences like finding trees with eyes create happiness for me. Just a little thing can change my mood quickly: the song of a bird, the gobble of the turkeys nibbling on my lawn, or the neighborhood cat rolling around on the deck.

Photo: G. Spruce

Little Things Can Make Us Happy

No matter what is going on in my life when these things occur I experience a moment of happiness. I think I’ve learned a really important thing. Many little things can bring us happiness if we are fully present and open to letting life interrupt our focus for just a moment.

Photo: Georganne Spruce

When we are always focused on our accomplishments or achievement in our society, finding happiness can be challenging. We usually set standards for ourselves and judge our actions as successful or not. If we fail to live up to the standards we set, we are unhappy and disappointed. We feel inadequate and the fear that we won’t be good enough grows.

Of course, it is important that we are able to do what is expected of us as parents or workers in order fulfill the responsibilities we have accepted, but too often, instead of enjoying the little successes each day, we keep expecting more before we are willing to feel good about what we do. The tragedy is, though, if we keep putting off feeling good about ourselves or taking the time to lift ourselves up, we may never take the time to be happy at all.

Photo: G. Spruce

We Can Choose to Experience Happiness

We can create happiness whenever we want. It’s about how we choose to feel and that relates to what we are thinking. Some people think my delight with little things is silly. Maybe it is, but at times, silly makes me happy. Maybe doing a crossword puzzle delights you. Maybe trimming the shrubs enlivens you. Maybe listening to a particular piece of music inspires you.

Make a commitment to allow something each day to make you happy by taking a moment to appreciate something that appears in your life. Start your day with meditation, reading something inspirational, a piece of chocolate, or a hearty breakfast. Savor it, and think how fortunate you are. That few moments of creating happiness can radically change your day.

I’m sharing with you today several pictures of things that have delighted me. I hope you enjoy them and become more aware of the interesting images that appear throughout your day.

What has made you happy today? Please share a comment.