Not Happier

If someone asked you to name things that make you happy, you might say eating a big bowl of chocolate ice cream, sleeping in on a weekday morning, or spending a sunny day at the beach. All three can make us smile—temporarily. Once the ice cream disappears, the day’s challenges begin, and the beach trip ends, our happy feelings may subside. We’re left to chase the next wonderful moment, which might be a perfect morning cup of coffee, a throw for the ice cream chills, or plans for a return trip to the beach. Experience, rinse, repeat. Our emotions fluctuate with the moment’s twists and turns. Do any of these experiences offer endless happiness? 

                                         https://youtu.be/sJ8xZtxXLc8

Adventures end, relationships experience ups and downs and few situations provide endless happiness. Maybe it’s better to focus on peace and contentment, since they help us weather whatever comes our way. So, what’s the best way to gain peace and contentment?

Hoping for a Miracle

Everyone’s dreaming about winning the biggest lottery jackpot in U.S. history. Interview people in ticket lines and they’ll list the kinds of cars, homes, and vacations they would buy, and how they would quit their jobs, retire, and donate money to relatives and friends, if they win. Are their dreams possible? The lottery bureau calculates a one in about three hundred million chance of winning. It’s safe to say the majority of people standing in long lines to buy a lottery ticket won’t see the money. Still, they stand, hoping for a chance at a new life. This lady has hopes, too:

                                         httpps://youtu.be/WbuzMZOYAJQ

 Hope is a powerful force with two different sources. Our hopes rest either on firm beliefs or doubtful fairy tales.What are you hoping for and which kind of hope is it?          

Once Upon A Time

Can you tell something’s wrong? I heard that clown school enrollment numbers dropped. What kind of society would we be without our clowns? They encourage us to embrace our inner child, free us to laugh more often, and help us to enjoy a bit of silliness. Consider today’s popular TV shows: a few comedies air, but more often we see criminality or dark fairy tale remakes. Why not focus on the lighter side of life?

                                               http://youtu.be/57h263k7T9A

 We might snicker at the idea of clown school, but it sounds like the clowns get it. They want to bring joy to children, the sick and the elderly. If clown school isn’t your thing, how else might you spread more joy?