For Today: December 1st

 All that is required to feel that here and now is happiness is a simple, frugal heart.

Nikos Kazantzakis

Happiness is not a spectacular production, introduced with clashing cymbals and blaring trumpets.  It comes quietly, unexpectedly to one who would not dream of chasing it.

Happiness makes its own terms.  The world likes to think happiness is a corollary of success, fame and wealth, and that may indeed be true in some instances.  The greater likelihood, however, is that happiness arrives as the unannounced guest of some humble heart.

For Today:  What is my idea of happiness?

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My idea of happiness is much simpler nowadays than it once was.  Back in my youth, I DID think happiness was defined by clashing cymbals & blaring trumpets.  I was always waiting for some spectacular production........some huge event that would let me know what happiness felt like.

Maybe wealth & social standing would bring me that elusive thing called 'happiness'? 

Nope, all the money in the world only bought me stuff.


Today, happiness means that I stay abstinent & truthful with myself.  It means I stay connected to God and to the principles of integrity that I so strongly believe in.


Today, happiness means something entirely different than it once did.  Today, happiness is hanging around with my husband, even if we're cleaning the house or grocery shopping. 


Today, my happiness hinges on taking care of myself as well as other; no longer putting MY needs aside to accommodate someone else. 

Today, I derive happiness from giving OF myself, not from devoting my life to someone else & calling it 'caring'.


For today, I pray to recognize that true wealth comes from the abundance of simplicity & appreciating the small blessings that enrich my life.