A little background to start with. Mags of Woo Woo Wisdom (what a cool blog name and theme!) has tagged me with the meme, 10 Things that make me Happy, which explains the title of this post. I think that this ‘meme tagging’ thing is a lovely way of getting to know someone and sprinkling some ‘joy dust’ around the blogosphere! I thank Mags for thinking of tagging me.
However, before I begin with my list, I do want to preface it with something that I have come to realize: No one and no thing makes me happy. My happiness is truly unconditional, not contingent upon anything/one.
This realization has freed me from the ‘victim mindset’. If I am feeling unhappy, it is the result of my choices, which themselves are the result of my beliefs. But, free of my choices and beliefs, when simply holding myself in my natural space, I am happiness itself!
So, now that I have said that, how am I to produce a list? Well, I am going to modify the title for my list and this is it:
10 Things/Happenings in which I am most aware of my state of Happiness
Yes, I know, it’s a little bit longer than the original but at least it reflects more closely, something that I hold as true! Oh, and just one more thing, my list is an ever-changing one, from year to year, day to day, moment to moment. So if some items on my list appear a little context-bound (I am overseas currently, spending time with my family), you’ll understand why! Right then, here we go:
#1 Seeing my old friends from school (we finished school almost 35 years ago)
Today, two of them turned up without warning each with a little daughter. I hadn’t seen one in at least 15 years and the other in at least 25! I never stopped smiling as we caught up and reminisced. It was sweetness itself.
#2 Gently falling rain on a cool winter’s day
The sound, the softness, the glistening diamond drops hanging off leaves, the fragrance of freshness in the air, the green becoming greener, the haunting nostalgia that I drift in…all these return me to my natural state of joy.
#3 Noticing the heart/love connection under the words that are being spoken when conversing with my children, my friends, my clients and strangers.
#4 Playing riffs on my guitar, feeling as if I am one with each note and the melodies that stream in from no known place.
#5 The sound of my voice, sometimes speaking, sometimes singing. It sometimes leaves me feeling as if I am my barest self and there’s nowhere else I can go
#6 Beautiful, unfamiliar music arising unexpectedly in cozy cafes, where aromas and dim lights suspend me in a familiar timelessness
#7 Reading words of truth that are strung together so beautifully, so gracefully, with such devotion, in poetry, lyrical prose or tales of enchantment.
#8 Following the emotional trail evoked by perfumes and fragrances, both natural and human made, to their sacred spaces where magic and mystery dwell.
#9 Watching someone delight in an unexpected gift.
#10 A smile and a hug from a child.
And now, I am about to tag 3 others with the original tag. What you do with it is entirely up to you but if you do post a list on your blog, please let me know!
Mags, it was sheer joy allowing my ‘things’ to emerge, one by one. Thank you once again!
Tim at Cloud Pillows
Rainer at Esoterical Journey
Allan at Baldeagle Blogs
Love always
Lucy
Beautiful list, Lucy! I’m not surprised to read that you play the guitar and sing, as your writing has always seemed musical and lyrical to me :)
I’m glad you also articulated the fact that our happiness is not derived from things. Happiness is indeed unconditional!
Dear Lucy, thank you for this insights in your personal sources and moments of happiness. Thank you for tagging. I will take the topic. Great stuff..
Hi Lucy – tag accepted – the follow through appears on smokesignals.
You know something – your happiness maks me happy as well.
Thank you.