Being, Not Arriving. . .

Being Happy

Here is a concept that we all should consider – Happiness is there for the taking, like a stream constantly drifting by. We can either set upon the banks and watch it pass us by or jump into the waters and bathe in it’s waters.

Have you ever considered this perspective? Do you think that happiness is a destination or  state of being that we must achieve? How about the notion that it is all around us, not a state of being, but simply a state we participate in?

This shift in perspective can be the key to changing how we approach life. How we interact and shape our lives one small step at a time. You see happiness is not a destination, it simply is a way of choosing to live, to see the world, to approach our days and time here.

With out elaborating too much, just consider this shift from chasing a state of happiness to simply jumping into it and flowing with it. You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of just as you will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.

Peace and Love, Jim

The Present of Presence. . .

Be Happy!

We move through life, taking care of the many things that arise in our day. For many of us we quickly become overwhelmed which leads to a avalanche of negative thoughts and emotions. Now we can consider this “normal” or we can take an approach to shine a different a light on our lives.

You see life is really neutral in all its glory, its not a good day, or a bad day. It simply is. A day has not ambition, no losses and no rewards. It simply is what it is. Now this subject is not a new one for daily buddha readers, but it is one worth repeating – We should strive to be more like the gift of life which we have all received – neutral, available and filled with nothing more than a willingness to live it out, one day at a time.

Yes we all have jobs, family, plans and other tasks that demand our attention, but being present for these things does not mean we need to plan out the next 72 steps required to achieve them. Besides how many plans actually go as we plan them!

So instead of awakening each day and creating a task lists of things that must be accomplished in order to feel productive or good about our day. choose instead to be attentive, present and trust in that you will will do what is required when the moment comes. Trust this!

Presence is the greatest present we can give and receive. Even though the boss, the neighbor, the others in this world may not be there yet or live by a scheduled mantra, the simple truth is the best laid plans rarely go as laid out and it is the ability to adapt and move on that make a human life so magical, fulfilling and enlightening!

The purpose of presence is simple – to clear the dust off the routines we mistake for living.

Peace and Love, Jim