JUST BECAUSE YOUR EYES ARE OPEN, DOESN"T MEAN YOU SEE

About a month ago, I went on vacation to Italy. Perhaps it was because it was  "vacation", or it might have been the embracing nature of the Italian people, their culture and their surroundings but I felt like my spirit ran free. Though I tried to hold onto that feeling upon return home, somehow life hits you like a  brick wall and reality sets in all too quickly. It must have been symbolic that I journaled every day to capture and hold on to that feeling but never finished the last entry on route home. Need I say more!

How do we get caught up so quickly in the web of life?

It feels like I spend the majority of my time and effort searching for the illusive dream of "happiness". I, at times, get caught in the notion that the more I work and the more successful I am , the better my life will be."  The problem with that thinking is that it does not define success nor does it ensure that my efforts will guarentee that this translates into happiness. And, my "TO DO" list just gets longer.

In my heart, I know that it is not the external forces that determine happiness but the internal ones.

Often, we attribute our stress and distress to circumstances. We think we don't have the time when, the truth is, we don't make the time. The time to appreciate all the little ways that we are so lucky in our lives and the many pieces that in total make our life uniquely our own.

I want to learn to cherish every moment and find the lesson that it makes available to me.  DON"T YOU?

My husband recently went for some diagnostic testing which required several hours of testing at the hospital. My first thought was perhaps my son could drive my husband and I would pick him up so I could get a few hours of work done. After, I quickly realized that I wanted to be there the whole time and go through this with him.. for him. Not only was he very appreciative but it also made me realize what it can mean to be there for someone when they really need it and to be in the moment together. Luckily we shared the good news about the test results and the day ended with a renewed sense of closeness.

THAT DAY I KNEW AND EMBRACED WHAT HAPPINESS FEELS LIKE FROM THIS LOVING ACT OF KINDNESS!

NOW, IT IS YOUR TURN TO GIVE IT A TRY AND SEE HOW IT FEELS.