March 3 is Happy Day!

by John Atwater, H.W.

I want you to be happy! But more, much more! I want you to be filled with joy, purpose, compassion, love and wisdom! I had a saying I used as a kid in elementary school, though I seldom said it to anyone but myself. Enjoy everything you possibly can, and if you can't enjoy it, learn from it! You have this moment, that is all; mine the moment for all its treasure! Right now! What can you appreciate, see the worth of right now?

If you are alone, pay attention to your thoughts. You are not your thoughts, they are most likely recordings that are not helpful or true. Notice them without fighting. Just let them go like a helium balloon, another will be around soon. You are awareness aware of yourself. Reach for a better thought! You are also not your emotions. You have emotions, they flow through you. They are often the results of thoughts or past experiences you may be overlaying on what is going on as you see it now. You can explore your past, it is not your potential. You can release your past, instead of a stumbling stone you can make it a building block!

If you are with others and an emotion is engaged, stop and take three deep breaths. Act don't react. Create, don't repeat the past. If you have no emotions can you nod, smile, recognize, acknowledge, share, encourage or engage in a positive way? We all crave connection and both you and the other person will most likely enjoy it. I often have a great time with strangers in the grocery store.

The more you are aware of, the more you see, the more you can enjoy. Mindfulness is being aware of something. Find things you love. Find things you enjoy and look for them. The more you look, the more you will see. You can train your brain to see what has always been there. If you buy a new green car you suddenly see all the green cars on the the road. Explore your world: art, music, people, food, ideas, paths, places. The more you explore the more paths you will see open up. “Behind an open door there lie a thousand more, follow me as we wind our way” the Little River Band.

The more you find things you love and enjoy, the more likely you will be able to find a purpose. The more aware you are of yourself and others, the more likely you will have compassion, both for yourself and other people. When you have purpose and compassion and awareness, over time you will become wise.

You have this moment, that is all: mine the moment for all its treasure! Right now! Right now!