Happiness

The secret of happiness is not in what one likes to do, but, in what one has to do.” ~ James M. Barrie

I don’t see the secret of happiness in the “have tos” of life, but I do see that one of the paths to JOY is finding the spiritual in the earthly. In other words, like monks who work long hours at mundane chores, we can find silence, reflection and renewal through those tasks, if we choose to focus on those meaningful values.

I believe it is the ability to focus on those things that allows us to transport ourselves into the presence of God. Meditating on bible verses, pondering biblical characters and stories, expressing gratitude for the ability to do even the simplest of chores, and reviewing our attitudes towards things we did earlier that day in light of God’s Spirit – these are all ways that we can step outside the laundry room, garden, or bedroom and into His presence. I think joy is the ability to sustain a grateful and open heart regardless of calamities around or within our personal lives.

Today is the first day

of the rest of my life!  What an invigorating phrase to think about. But then again, today could also be the last day of my life, so the ultimate question is how to balance the first day with the last day… I’ve heard it said “plan as if you’ll live forever, but live as if today is your last day”.   How do I accomplish this?