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Neighbor News

Seeking Tiny Bits of Happiness

Use simple mindfulness to find Joy!

Reikiofgreaterboston, Neighbor

Posted Tue, Oct 27, 2015 at 11:30 am ET

I took my own challenge issued in my post A Different Way To Look At Success. Each day for a week I tried to identify when I was happy and what it was that gave me that feeling of Joy. This, I feel, was a worthwhile exercise! Here are my results:

DAY 1 - WEDNESDAY

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The sound of the brook as it makes its way through the boulders, stones and other impediments. It’s crash causing a peaceful sound of resolution.

DAY 2 - THURSDAY

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The smell, look and feel of the woods on a fall day in New England especially the surprising whoosh of brightly colored leaves blowing about a bright green lawn making swirls in the air like an animation.

A row of 4-5 seagulls sitting peacefully on a split rail fence overlooking the marsh. One of them started lifting his right leg and shaking it like he had stepped in gum. I don’t don’t why this struck me as funny but it did and it made me laugh out loud. Just by being his silly gull-self, he brought me happiness.

DAY 3 - FRIDAY

The smiling eyes of one of my Reiki patients as he was leaving the hospital. I met him in the hospital elevator as he was being discharged as his son was wheeling him out. I was manning the elevator and asked, ‘ Where ya’ going?’ meaning which floor can I press for you and he smiled and shouted ‘ I’m going home!’ and we all cheered and I pressed 1, Main Level that leads to Home.

DAY 4 - SATURDAY

The rush of wind blowing over me, the ray of the sunbeam on my skin, call of the birds, the rush & rustle of the trees and solidness of the stone.

A big pumpkin that looked like it could turn into a coach and carry the princess to the ball was in the middle of the hospital parking lot rotary. It was so out of place - there were no other pumpkins or mums or other Harvest decorations around, just a big fat pumpkin in the parking lot. It might as well have been in the middle of the desert but it brought the place to life with color and holiday cheer and a sense of normalcy that can be sorely lacking in a hospital.

DAY 5 - SUNDAY

My kitty Amelia turned 1 today. She sat calmly on my lap for once and let me touch her soft fur.

DAY 6 - MONDAY

I went to a Shamanic Medicine training today and although I learned so much, what brought me joy was the simple beat of the drum. (Listen to some Drumming)

DAY 7 - TUESDAY

I watched a hawk circle high and effortless on the wind. In my mind I said to him, ‘hello there’. He then flew right over to me in a bee line, hovered directly over my head and stared straight into my eyes for a few seconds. I was so mesmerized I did not have the capacity to snap a photo. I was able to experience the moment fully and have a meaningful connection with this wild bird.

Summary

Understand that my life is far from void of expensive gifts, trips and dining experiences but these items were not the items that made me feel that authentic, deep-down joy. What did give me that feeling, as you can see, were the simple, small and natural things.

Each of my happiness sources were being 100% authentic.. They did not know how to be anything else and so lost ‘themselves’ in the moment and that was their beauty. They had no need to please anyone or be anything different than they were by nature.

I noticed also this week was that when something didn’t go my way it was easier to accept it because I knew some fantastic little bit of love was going to cross my path soon that very day. I was looking for it. I was expecting it.

I’m very excited to continue to focus on these little beams of light throughout my days with the intention of building a happiness momentum that will get me through the New England winter which usually finds me down.

So shine your light today! Be 100% you and in so doing you will be fulfilling your purpose here on earth. However crazy, strange, weird or odd you may be, that ‘selfness’ may be just the thing someone else needs to make them better, happier, hopeful, motivated, inspired, successful! Go You!

Let me know if you try this exercise and tell me what you discover!

Love, Lisa