Happiness Inside Out

Too often, we sweat the circumstances, retell unpleasant tales, buy our own drama, get caught up in doing and forget the art of being...really being all we were created to be. I know when I do those things (somewhat more regularly than I care to admit) my energy fades, self doubt and negativity creep in, fears and self-inflicted limitations seem real and ominous. It's at those times, I must remind myself to turn inward and reject delusions imposed by the phenomenal world.

Anyway, I found this tidbit today and want to share it here with any (both) of the people who may read this infant blog. When I take the time to consciously incorporate these things into daily life, I feel enriched and transformed. Which begs the question, "Why would I ever stray from such an effective practice?" Anyway, here it is:

Pray

Meditate

Be Aware/Stay Awake

Bow

Practice Yoga

Feel

Chant and Sing

Breathe and Smile

Relax/Enjoy/Laugh/Play

Create/Envision

Let Go/Forgive/Accept

Walk/Exercise/Move

Work/Serve/Contribute

Listen/Learn/Enquire

Consider/Reflect

Cultivate Oneself/Enhance Competencies

Cultivate Contentment

Cultivate Flexibility

Cultivate Friendship and Collaboration

Lighten Up

Celebrate and Appreciate

Dream

Give Thanks

Evolve

Love

Share/Give/Receive

Walk Softly/Live Gently

Expand/Radiate/Dissolve

Simplify

Surrender/Trust

Be Born Anew

from Awakening The Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das

I really do believe we manifest the life we deserve by starting inside, cultivating divine love, peace, contentment, faith, understanding, gratitude. We can't expect to find all that outside ourselves and magically be happy, or successful, or loved. The world of matter will continually disappoint because it is filled with delusory sense pleasures offering limited and temporary satisfaction. I guess it serves as a constant reminder that happiness really is an inside job, and reinforces the importance of going inside daily - even if for only a few truly focused moments. That's my take anyway.

And there you have it.