Kirstie Alley wrote it. Melissa Gilbert retweeted it and so did I. - “What does it feel like to be happy?” It feels swell..I highly recommend it…takes LOTS of work..;)”
I am in the process of making my very first quilt ever. I’m not doing it alone. I’m working side by side with several other women who are doing the same thing. All of them are older than I. It occurred to me yesterday while I sitting at the sewing machine working on yet another chain, I felt happy.
Never in my wildest imagination did I expect to feel happy about sewing. I don’t think it’s the sewing. Honestly I think the happiness feeling is about learning something new, working to complete it, and being willing to stay in community while I do it.
I’ve heard this message in various forms all week, whether it is from blogs, from books, or from Twitter:
Happiness is a choice.
It isn’t easy.
It takes work.
Choose to be honest.
Dare to live in Community.
Just my thoughts for today. I tend to know more about what happiness isn’t due to my life experiences most of which I’m not willing to put in writing. (smile) It can’t be chased, only earned.
No one can hand you happiness on a silver platter – not even if it’s in a champagne glass. It’s not about money as I’ve been wealthy and I’ve been poor. It’s not about achievements really — I’m in the Who’s Who of National Female Executives. It’s not about sex. Well you know what I mean– anyway, I’ll embarrass myself if I go too far with that.
Happiness isn’t a passive gift.
Happiness involves living breathing risk taking gut level honesty in community. It isn’t safe in the simplistic meaning of “safe”
It is not in the false community we build up for ourselves on the internet. There is no real risk in long distance relationships. I can present which ever mask I want online.
Happiness – is in the moment of day-to-day sweat, truth, and courage.
It isn’t easy.
It’s work.
It’s good work.
I promised myself I wouldn’t cry when my son graduated last night. And I didn’t. Then the commencement speech started. So much for promises. For the first time in 23 years, the administrator of the school gave the commencement speech. I’m sure the speech had points worth remembering. I’m glad we recorded it because I only remember one part. Halfway through his speech the administrator made direct eye contact with me when he said, “Beloved Daughter of the Living King, Live like you are forgiven.” – yep, that turned me into a waterfall of big old alligator tears.
