{"id":1461,"date":"2015-09-17T20:24:07","date_gmt":"2015-09-17T20:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spiritwithasmile.com\/MS\/?p=1461"},"modified":"2016-05-22T15:09:28","modified_gmt":"2016-05-22T15:09:28","slug":"happiness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spiritwithasmile.com\/MS\/happiness\/","title":{"rendered":"Happiness"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section admin_label=\u201dsection\u201d transparent_background=\u201doff\u201d background_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d allow_player_pause=\u201doff\u201d inner_shadow=\u201doff\u201d parallax=\u201doff\u201d parallax_method=\u201doff\u201d padding_mobile=\u201doff\u201d make_fullwidth=\u201doff\u201d use_custom_width=\u201doff\u201d width_unit=\u201don\u201d make_equal=\u201doff\u201d use_custom_gutter=\u201doff\u201d][et_pb_row admin_label=\u201dRow\u201d make_fullwidth=\u201doff\u201d use_custom_width=\u201don\u201d width_unit=\u201doff\u201d custom_width_percent=\u201d75%\u201d use_custom_gutter=\u201doff\u201d padding_mobile=\u201doff\u201d allow_player_pause=\u201doff\u201d parallax=\u201doff\u201d parallax_method=\u201doff\u201d make_equal=\u201doff\u201d column_padding_mobile=\u201don\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d1_3\u2033][et_pb_image admin_label=\u201dImage\u201d src=\u201dhttp:\/\/spiritwithasmile.com\/MS\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/Gold-banner-Happiness.jpg\u201d alt=\u201dHappiness\u201d title_text=\u201dHappiness\u201d show_in_lightbox=\u201doff\u201d url_new_window=\u201doff\u201d animation=\u201dfade_in\u201d sticky=\u201doff\u201d align=\u201dcenter\u201d force_fullwidth=\u201doff\u201d always_center_on_mobile=\u201don\u201d use_border_color=\u201doff\u201d border_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d border_style=\u201dsolid\u201d] [\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u201d2_3\u2033][et_pb_divider admin_label=\u201dDivider\u201d color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d show_divider=\u201don\u201d divider_style=\u201dsolid\u201d divider_position=\u201dtop\u201d hide_on_mobile=\u201don\u201d] [\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_post_title admin_label=\u201dPost Title\u201d title=\u201don\u201d meta=\u201doff\u201d author=\u201doff\u201d date=\u201doff\u201d categories=\u201don\u201d comments=\u201doff\u201d featured_image=\u201doff\u201d featured_placement=\u201dabove\u201d parallax_effect=\u201don\u201d parallax_method=\u201don\u201d text_orientation=\u201dcenter\u201d text_color=\u201ddark\u201d text_background=\u201doff\u201d text_bg_color=\u201drgba(255,255,255,0.9)\u201d module_bg_color=\u201drgba(255,255,255,0)\u201d title_font=\u201dRock Salt|on|||\u201d title_font_size=\u201d38px\u201d title_text_color=\u201d#3600f9\u2033 title_line_height=\u201d1.3em\u201d title_all_caps=\u201doff\u201d use_border_color=\u201doff\u201d border_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d border_style=\u201dsolid\u201d] [\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_divider admin_label=\u201dDivider\u201d color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d show_divider=\u201doff\u201d divider_style=\u201dsolid\u201d divider_position=\u201dtop\u201d hide_on_mobile=\u201don\u201d height=\u201d20\u2033] [\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=\u201drow\u201d make_fullwidth=\u201don\u201d use_custom_width=\u201don\u201d width_unit=\u201don\u201d custom_width_px=\u201d751px\u201d use_custom_gutter=\u201doff\u201d padding_mobile=\u201doff\u201d allow_player_pause=\u201doff\u201d parallax=\u201doff\u201d parallax_method=\u201doff\u201d make_equal=\u201doff\u201d column_padding_mobile=\u201don\u201d][et_pb_column type=\u201d4_4\u2033][et_pb_text admin_label=\u201dText\u201d background_layout=\u201dlight\u201d text_orientation=\u201dleft\u201d text_font_size=\u201d16\u2033 text_text_color=\u201d#444444\u2033 text_line_height=\u201d1.3em\u201d use_border_color=\u201doff\u201d border_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d border_style=\u201dsolid\u201d]<\/p>\n

Happiness is easy if you can just stay in the \u201chere and now.\u201d \u00a0And that, of course, takes practice \u2013 constant, conscious practice. It\u2019s easy to be dragged off into the \u201cthere and then\u201d\u00a0by the many distractions around us. \u00a0Obligations, real or imagined, bid for our attention and drain\u00a0our energy. \u00a0Expectations (our own or others) set us up for disappointment. \u00a0At the\u00a0root of all unhappiness, you\u2019ll find fear and worry.<\/p>\n

And, while few people spend every moment in the \u201chere and now,\u201d it\u2019s definitely possible for any of us to spend increasingly more time there. \u00a0Give some of these practices a whirl. \u00a0And if you find others you\u2019d like to share, let us know and we\u2019ll consider adding\u00a0them to the list.<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb admin_label=\u201dBlurb\u201d title=\u201dSPIRITUAL PRACTICES\u201d url_new_window=\u201doff\u201d use_icon=\u201doff\u201d icon_color=\u201d#000066\u2033 use_circle=\u201doff\u201d circle_color=\u201d#000066\u2033 use_circle_border=\u201doff\u201d circle_border_color=\u201d#000066\u2033 icon_placement=\u201dtop\u201d animation=\u201dtop\u201d background_layout=\u201dlight\u201d text_orientation=\u201dcenter\u201d use_icon_font_size=\u201doff\u201d use_border_color=\u201doff\u201d border_color=\u201d#ffffff\u201d border_style=\u201dsolid\u201d header_font_size=\u201d20\u2033 header_text_color=\u201d#3600f9\u2033 custom_margin=\u201d40px|||\u201d] [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=\u201dText\u201d background_layout=\u201dlight\u201d text_orientation=\u201dleft\u201d text_font_size=\u201d16\u2033 text_text_color=\u201d#444444\u2033 use_border_color=\u201don\u201d border_color=\u201d#cccccc\u201d border_style=\u201doutset\u201d max_width=\u201d850px\u201d text_line_height=\u201d1.5em\u201d border_width=\u201d6px\u201d custom_padding=\u201d40px|40px|40px|40px\u201d]<\/p>\n

Use the Twelve Pathways:<\/strong><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

I know of no better guidance toward happiness than you\u2019ll find in the Twelve Pathways from Ken Keyes\u2019 Handbook To Higher Consciousness. \u00a0One way to use these pathways is to review them every day and evaluate just how well you managed to stick to them the previous day.<\/p>\n

Another way is to read them when you\u2019re upset about something. \u00a0Allow your mind to absorb the wisdom of these pathways and allow the unconditional love to restore your happiness. \u00a0Pick one or two that particularly apply and read them over and over \u2019til you feel at peace.<\/p>\n

An even better thing is to memorize them so they are always available to you. \u00a0Find them here<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Declare Random Acts of Kindness Day:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKindness is an inner desire that makes us want
\nto do good things even if we do not get anything
\nin return. It is the joy of our life to do them. When
\nwe do good things from this inner desire, there
\nis kindness in everything we think, say, want and do.\u201d<\/p>\n

~\u00a0Emanuel Swedenborg<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a great day to take initiative to lighten somebody\u2019s load. Go out of your way to help somebody, or just spread joy. \u00a0If you see somebody parked overtime, put some money in the meter. \u00a0Pay for the person behind you at the toll booth. Just smile and be nice to the person in the express checkout lane with too many items. \u00a0Surely you can think of even more, and when you remain aware, the Universe will present you with plenty of opportunities.<\/p>\n

Then come back here and tell us about it in the forum. \u00a0There\u2019s a special place for Random Acts of Kindness and you might give somebody else a good idea\u2026 or get one for yourself.<\/p>\n

Peace of Mind \u00a0\u2013 \u00a0Relax\u00a0your mind:<\/span> \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is a great way to start the day and it\u2019s really special if you have a comfortable place to do it outside. Take a cup of coffee or other beverage to a favorite spot at home. \u00a0Give yourself 5, 10, maybe even 20 minutes and stick to it. Sit quietly, let your mind relax and go wherever it takes you. If you find yourself focusing on a particular problem or issue, take a deep breath and release the thoughts. \u00a0Don\u2019t resist thinking, but be in a state of release as much as possible. Watch your thoughts drift by.<\/p>\n

No News Is GREAT News:<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

No doubt you bathe regularly to clear away any dust and dirt that may have collected on your body as you go through the day.\u00a0 Our Spiritual Practice for today is a simple one, but often one of the most difficult.\u00a0 Give your mind a bath and consciously think only positive thoughts.<\/p>\n

Nothing churns up the mind like the News of the Day, so your assignment for today is to give the news a day off.\u00a0Don\u2019t read a newspaper today, not even the funnies.\u00a0Don\u2019t watch a TV news or politics show. \u00a0Don\u2019t listen to radio news, or discuss events with friends.\u00a0No matter what happens today, it\u2019ll still be there tomorrow and you can get all disturbed about it then.\u00a0 Meanwhile, give it a rest and let your mind relax. \u00a0Relax and flow<\/a>\u00a0and if you notice yourself caught in the negativity web, just gently move away from the thoughts and picture bunnies.<\/p>\n

See?\u00a0 You feel better already.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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