November/December 2001
Articles on the theme "Happiness"
Happiness in Troubled Times
by Charles Larsen
Happiness beore and after the events
of September 11.
Keys to Happiness
by Tracy Woolrich
How to become happy and healthy.
Asking for Happiness
by Dr. Audrey Craft Davis
Of setting goals, making plans
and dreaming dreams.
An Inside Job
by Nancy L. Buchanan
Happiness, a choice of how and what
we think.
An Elusive Butterfly?
by Ron Graham
How the mind needs to be congruent
with the heart.
The Pursuit of Happiness
by Rev. Susan R. Griffin
Allowing happiness to BE rather than
pursued, sought after or achieved.
Integrity: Path to Happiness
by Constance Felos, Esq.
An attorney's look at a new dispute
resolution model.
Choose Happiness
by Dr. Ruth E. Bradley
What the events of September 11 can
teach us about happiness.
The Freedom To Be Me
by AnneMarie Dyer
Finding happiness by being true to
oneself. Living one's dreams and being in the NOW.
The Source of True Happiness
by Rev. Pat Cross
The deeper meaning of joy and happiness...
our spiritual nature.
Other Feature Articles
Holistic Health Q & A
by Linda Nash Stevenson
Of acupuncture and Chinese Medicine,
stopping smoking, herbs and hot flashes.
What is... Feng Shui?
by Billie V. Odor
The origins of Feng Shui and an account
of how Black Hat Sect Feng Shui is practiced.
UNCOMMON SENSE ! - Terrorism
David Findlay
Minerals from Mother Earth
by Judy Power
Featured stones for November and December:
Bloodstone and Septarian.
An Elusive Butterfly?
by Ron Graham
Happiness is only elusive when the mind and heart are at odds with each other.
How many people are truly happy and at peace with themselves? When you truly listen, it seems they are not happy with their jobs, wives, husbands or significant others. They think: if only he, she or they would do, act or be whatever they believe they should do, act or be then they would be happy. "If only, then" And, if we get what we want, we find that happiness only lasts for a short time and then we are unsettled again. Happiness becomes the elusive butterfly. It is here for a moment and then gone.
Being unhappy becomes a way of life for many because they believe that it is an illusion which is held as a dream deep in the heart that can never really be touched. People settle for less when they wouldn't have to if they realized one thing: Happiness can only be achieved when what is in the mind is congruent with what is in the heart. What is in the mind is what we have learned from birth. What is in the heart is the truth of who we are. And, even though our conscious mind is not aware of it, our sub-conscious mind is well aware of who we are. To find happiness within is a job of soul searching. It is a job of finding the truths that govern our individual lives. It is acknowledging that we are more than just human. There is also the soul essence of our identity and that part of us contains the truth and key to our individual happiness.
As you think, so you are. If we think negative thoughts then we will be negative people. Those negative thoughts will show themselves somewhere in our lives. A good example is prejudice. Think about this: Most of us have worked hard to get where we are today. We have worked hard to have that nice home in a safe neighborhood and we feel secure in the status we have built with our hard labor. Now someone of a different color, ethnic group or sexual orientation buys the house next door. Are you upset? Do you think and say: "I don't like them living next door to me. They should live with their own kind." If that is the case, the unfriendly attitude will show itself, even if only being an unfriendly neighbor. The attitude might be passive-aggressive behavior. We take the dog for a walk and he does the heavy-duty thing in their yard. Normally, being a good neighbor and citizen, we would pick up the deposit and dispose of it, but instead we will let it lay for them to step in. In short, we are not congruent in mind and heart. In our mind we say: "I'm not prejudiced." Yet in the heart we have ill feeling about a neighbor we don't even know or care to know. We are very unhappy about the situation. Does that tell you that some part of your life is run by a prejudice that you hold in your heart or mind? Is the unhappy feeling something you care to hold on to? If not, then it is time to do some soul searching and correct the problem because there will never be any peace or happiness concerning the prejudicial attitude unless we acknowledge the truth and correct it within ourselves.
There is a saying: "As a person thinks, so he/she is." I also believe as a person speaks so he/she acts, for thoughts and words are powerful energies that will bring to us exactly what we think and say. If you lie to yourself about not being prejudiced, you are not congruent in mind and heart and a negative behavior will be forth coming in various areas of your life and happiness an elusive butterfly.
We are the creators of our own personal world and we create through what we think, believe and how we act or don't act. Circumstances are only results of the thoughts and actions. We act and then re-act daily because of what we think, speak and do. The energy we put out is the energy we draw to us. We are just beginning to learn that there is a spiritual part of us that daily plays a very active role in our being, Most of the time we do not even recognize that part of who we are and blindly continue on our path.
If I want happiness, peace and joy in my life then it is I, not the world or others, who needs to make the changes which will bring to me what I desire.
I pray daily to be aware of what is not congruent within me and then ask for the guidance and courage to change. I try to become aware of what is not working so I know what to change in order be a more enlightened and centered person. I do so because I want and desire peace, joy and happiness in my daily life. I know there is more to me than the material human person. There is the soul essence which is the part of me that longs for and contains the truths of all things that I am.
Join me in your search for truth. The truth of who you are will bring forth happiness, peace and joy into your daily life. It will set you free to be all you can be. Namasté.
Ron Graham is an artist and writer who strongly believes his passion for truth is channeled through his art and writing. Palm Harbor FL (727) 772-1168.
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