like health, happiness rarely happens on accident. conscious choices of how to react, how to deal with our feelings and experiences lead us toward happiness and fulfilment or sorrow and suffering. happiness is a combination of all layers of our being interacting harmoniously... a healthy body, healthy relationships or interactions with other beings, a healthy home space, and a healthy mind/heart.
being present in each moment (literally not focusing on past or future circumstances or lost in subjective thought, but inner and outer experiences being taken in as they happen moment-to-moment) and following the heart/conscience/intuition are the two most important factors in my experience. if i am not present i become ungrounded and less connected to my heart/intuition. the heart to follow is the feeling deep inside- when you make the "right" choice, one that is positive and beneficial to your greatest good, you will feel a sense of relief, expansiveness, elation, inspiration, lightness, freedom, joy, passion, and similar positive feelings. if you make the decision or weigh the factor that is "wrong" or not beneficial to your greatest good, goes against your heart, you will feel a constricitive sensation, tension develops, maybe even a headache, tightness or cramps in the belly, heaviness or a sinking feeling, discomfort in many ways.
If you want to feel more loved, show genuine unconditional love to others.
If you are alone, give your whole attention to someone who wants to be heard.
If you are worried about material comfort, share what little you have with someone who has less then you.
If you want to be able to trust people, be completely honest in all ways and impeccable with your word.
If you want to feel beautiful, acknowledge and celebrate the beauty of others.
If you want to feel good about yourself, honor and compliment truly and freely all the good you see in others.
That which you want to receive, you must give, and it will flow back to you exponentially stronger, not always from the direction in which you had given it.
This is just how it works.
~Laura Harrison
happiness is a trial-and-error process as you learn what is the instinct to listen to and what is the one to disreguard. happiness shouldn't come at the expense of others, although sometimes others will hurt (say in the case of a break-up), but if the decision is made out of honesty, it will always be for the greatest good of both parties.
"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do, are in harmony" ~Mahatama Gandhi
happiness is powerful, contagious, inspiring. when we are not happy, especially in a situation with others, our unhappiness negatively impacts us and the others. it is not only in our best interest to cultivate our happiness, but in the best interest of others. who wants to be in a situation where we make another unhappy, even if we have to let them pass out of our lives or let the nature of our connection transform? don't we all want honest relationships and friendships where both parties are fully happy to be there, where we all benefit instead of one giving themselves to the other at the expense of their well-being and joy?
think of a time when someone smiled a genuine, warm smile, and brightened your day.. smile! a smile, even a smiley face drawn on a piece of paper, has a positive physiological impact on us! Smile! we look and feel better when we smile...
please look at my blog for lots of ideas on living a happier, healthier life. if you have specific questions or concerns, please email me at the address on the footer of each page!
Love in Action: Seva/karma yoga ~
join me to put your love in action, to crack your heart wide open, to connect with your human family, and to do your best to bring peace and love to others experiencing great pain and suffering.
philanthropy has always been an integral part of my lifestyle, my business-model, and has been included in the enlighten yoga teacher training program. to lose yourself in the service of others is to burn off negativity and to stoke the fire of gratitude in the heart. random acts of kindness and other inglorious forms of volunteering are humbling, heart-expanding experiences. receiving the thanks and the credit is okay if it naturaly arises, but it should never be the motivation for the experience. Love serving Love is the key- seva is love in action. the joy that arises from serving the happiness, freedom, and peace of others is inspiring and electrifying.. and sharing that experience with others may inspire them to give of themselves too. volunteering together is a powerfully sublime way to create a deep bond. those whose hearts you touch will always appreciate your contribution, and to know that your choices and efforts meant that much to another soul is the most gratifying kind of experience available as a living being.
mobilizing others can expand your reach and means by which you are able to give to others.. either through group effort or collections of money or items that will be useful in serving those in difficult and painful times, we are able to give more by connecting with others. those who are able to contribute thanks to your efforts will appreciate the opportunity to help when they may not have otherwise known how.
Live to love, love to give, give to put your love into action and make it real in this world.. be it your undivided attention, a smile or hug, recognition and appreciation, time, money or items, physical labor, ideas, or your special talents, whatever you give of your self with your whole heart with the intention of briging joy and peace to others will also bring you more joy and peace.
