A friend has asked me to make him a quilt, adding, “I am surrounding myself only with things I love, that make me laugh, or remind me of friends.” What a wonderful way to live your life. Obviously there are things that are practical or even necessary, but my friend’s list is a helpful addition for anything beyond practicality. But even practicality can mix with other values. . .as when another friend said to me, “If it doesn’t feel like pajamas, I’m not wearing it.” There, comfort was the issue, and my friend loves comfort. I like a house which is neat and clean, but more than that I love doing what I love to do—which, more often than not these days, is sewing and making beautiful things to look at or which carry loving, supportive energy.

The Happy Virus

I caught the happy virus last night

When I was out singing beneath the stars.

It is remarkably contagious -

So kiss me.

Hafiz

It seems that happiness is contagious. When I remember to be happy, the people around me seem to be happier, too. If you don’t believe me or  Hafiz, then maybe you’ll believe research by Harvard Medical School. See: http://www.webmd.com/balance/news/20081204/happiness-is-contagious. And for more poetry by Hafiz, see http://www.astrodreamadvisor.com/Hafiz.html.

After several months of change (during which I left behind my back yard labyrinth, and am still pondering how to create a large, portable one), I am returning to my online journal with a new focus: Ignite Delight. In case you’re wondering what that means, one of my “mentors,” Abraham, says you must “make a decision that you’re going to be happy one way or another—no matter what.” But if you are relying on the external world to make this possible, you are coming at it from the wrong direction. The happiness comes from within you, and is then radiated to the world around you. I invite you to take this challenge: each day, come up with one thing that you are happy about. It can be as simple as seeing a butterfly, or as profound as reconnecting with someone whose relationship you thought was lost to you. In the next weeks I’ll be journaling about some of my own delights. Blessings.   http://www.thingstobehappyabout.com/