“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” Buddha
How often are you happy? Do you feel you have any control over your moods? What do you do to lift your mood when you are down?”
We Are Drawn To Happy People
Yesterday was a happy day for me. A close friend who was traveling all summer returned, and we took a walk through the botanical gardens where the Black-Eyed Susans were overly abundant and the Joe Pye Weed towered beautifully above us. As we began our walk, a man who works there approached us and began sharing stories about the effect of the intense rain on nature, why the butterflies were late, and how happy he was that they finally appeared.
English: Joe Pye Weed (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We’ve talked with this man before and learned fascinating details about the plants, but what always strikes me about him is how happy and enthusiastic he is about his work. His energy lifts me, and I feel happy to know that someone is taking such good care of this beautiful garden that I love so much. Clearly he is following his passion.
Recently, I talked with another man, Charles Davidson, who is following his passion to create a website, Life Turnings, about spirituality and the healing arts. His excitement about the people he can reach, the conversations the blog will stimulate, and the opportunity to increase awareness on a variety of issues is contagious. I was impressed with what he hopes to accomplish, so when he asked me to write for the site, I agreed. My first piece, a blog I had written previously for this site, is featured on the home page under a beautiful picture of Fuchsias. I hope you will visit Life Turnings.
Photo: Charles Davidson
Our Positive Or Negative Energy Affects Others
When we encounter people who are happy, their energy is expansive and uplifts us if we are open to sharing their experience. Although we think of being empathetic when someone is unhappy so that we can understand and offer them support, we are also empathetic when we share another person’s happiness and support their positive experiences too. As we connect with their light, our light expands.
Have you ever rushed up to a friend or family member with what you considered wonderful news only to have them put you down with their negative response? Their negative energy depletes your energy even if you don’t think their comment is valid. When this pattern is repeated over and over in a family where approval is so important, it may over time teach a child that it is not acceptable to express happiness. Sadly, I once knew a person who had been taught that no strong emotion, even happiness, should ever be expressed.
Positive Attitudes Create More Positive Energy
If another’s expression of negative energy can diminish our energetic vibration, then the expression of positive energy can increase it. But how can we create more positive energy? Self-awareness is the key. What makes us feel good? What thoughts, friends, activities, or food bring us joy and are good for us? We have to pay attention to our reactions to situations and ask, “How can I best respond to this situation or solve this problem so there is a positive outcome for all concerned?” We must learn to be the light in the difficult situations that confront us.
We must be willing to learn and grow. In our society, we are much too quick to choose what appears to be the easy way out of difficulties. This often leads to addiction because we’d rather pop a pill than find the root of the problem which could cause us even more pain—except the pill won’t help us find a solution. We must be willing to learn practices, read books, and take workshops that will help us become more aware of how to face life feeling confident that we can deal in a healthy way with our challenges and maintain a connection to happiness.
Release the Fear That Blocks Us
Negative feelings are always based on fear, and we can learn to direct our minds to release the fear we feel about a situation. When we let go of the fear, it is easier to see real solutions to the problem and follow our inner guidance. Fear often causes us to assume problems can’t be solved so we give up. Assuming they can be solved usually motivates us to search more diligently for a solution.
Seeing the Positive Uplifts Us
We can also choose to focus on what is positive and consciously look for positive ideas and events that will lift the vibration of our energy. For example, we have had excessive rain where I live, and the dark, dreary days can easily drag me down. On rainy days, I look out at my deck where the flowers are blooming profusely, and I’m grateful I’ve hardly had to water them at all this summer. I’ve enjoyed their beauty at no expense. The grass in my yard, which was sparse for many years, is now lush and green. When I hike in the mountains, I’m surrounded by abundant shade and more wild flowers than I’ve seen in years. I can focus on enjoying the beauty created by the rain or I can make myself and others miserable over the weather, an element I cannot control.
By taking responsibility for creating happiness in our lives and sharing it with others, we contribute to the well-being of all those around. Our positive energy can draw to us those with a similar energy and expand the happiness we experience. It can also help heal those who are struggling with life. How often has a smile brightened your day? You can be the candle that lights the world.
© 2013 Georganne Spruce ZQT4PQ5ZN7F5
What makes you happy today? Please comment.
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