What a wonderful gift it is to wake up knowing we have a full day in front of us. We’re not entitled to this day. It is a gift. We are alive. We have a chance to do something with this day. What kind of footprint do you want to leave on this day? How will you affect those whom you interact with this day? Will everyone you meet be better off because you passed their way? We can take in the wisdom of the Roman philosopher, Marcus Aurelius, “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.
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Happiness
Dare to Go on the Journey
There’s no perfect road ahead. Each road will hold a series of challenges to test whether or not you are worthy of traveling the road. We can stand at the fork of the road and ponder as Robert Frost did in his poem, The Road Less Taken, which road to take. If we freeze, unable to decide, we’ve made a choice. It too, will have challenges. Don’t fear setting out on a road that has no GPS coordinates if that road is the way to what you perceive as a chance at a better life. You’ll get lots of advice not to go. Some close friends may get angry with you. Take the chance. Good friends will cheer you on. Write Nelson Nelson Mandela‘s words on your heart, ” It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
A Prescription for a Great Day
I’m up early, usually around 5 a.m. I get up in a good mood and head into the day with a great attitude. This morning I felt a bit grumpy. I didn’t like the feeling. My mind reeled for a quick fix. I sat on the edge of the bed pondering my next move when the solution struck like a lightening bolt. I asked Alexa, my digital assistant, to play the “Chicken Dance.” The music started and I popped out of bed and did the chicken dance around the bedroom. Grumpy mood gone. I was ready to start the day. Enjoy the YouTube video and pick up your mood.
Rediscovering Happiness After Loss: Lessons from Grief and Healing
Episode 150: Rediscovering Happiness After Grief – Finding Joy in Life’s Simple Moments
In this heartfelt episode, we explore the journey of rediscovering happiness after the profound loss of a loved one. Grief can make us feel like joy has vanished, much like the lyrics of “MacArthur Park” echo that sense of something precious lost forever. As we navigate through grief, we often struggle with the notion of happiness, searching for it in all the wrong places – from commercial promises of joy to fleeting experiences. But true happiness is more elusive and surprising, showing up in unexpected moments.
Reflecting on memories, poetry, and spiritual wisdom, we delve into what it really means to be happy, even in the wake of loss. Featuring insights from Jane Kenyon’s poem “Happiness,” Sara Teasdale’s “Barter,” and a biblical reflection from Matthew 6:21, this episode encourages listeners to cultivate a life that invites happiness organically, rather than chasing it.
Tune in as we discuss how to create conditions in our lives where joy can re-emerge, and why embracing small, unplanned moments of happiness may be the key to healing. If you’re grieving or simply reflecting on the true meaning of joy, this episode is here to inspire and guide you.
Keywords: Happiness after grief, finding joy, rediscovering happiness, healing from loss, grief journey, true happiness, MacArthur Park, Jane Kenyon, Sara Teasdale, Matthew 6:21, cultivating happiness, spiritual wisdom, emotional healing, grief podcast.
Barter ~ a poem by Sara Teasdale
Barter
Sara Teasdale
Life has loveliness to sell,
All beautiful and splendid things,
Blue waves whitened on a cliff,
Soaring fire that sways and sings,
And children’s faces looking up,
Holding wonder like a cup.
Life has loveliness to sell,
Music like the curve of gold,
Scent of pine trees in the rain,
Eyes that love you, arms that hold,
And for your spirit’s still delight,
Holy thoughts that star the night.
Spend all you have for loveliness,
Buy it and never count the cost;
For one white singing hour of peace
Count many a year of strife well lost,
And for a breath of ecstasy
Give all you have been, or could be.
Today’s Thought: Better Days are Ahead
I have an optimistic view of life. It’s not a pollyanna sense of optimism. I’ve been knocked down. I’ve had setbacks. And, I’ve had negative things happen in my life. My sense of optimism tells me that in spite of setbacks I’ll have the strength to get up and forge ahead. My sense of optimism tells me I’ll discover a lesson to be learned each time I get knocked down. My sense of optimism knows that what I seek I usually find. Life is good. It wasn’t designed to be easy. Learn from the setbacks. Refuse to stay down. Rise. Forge ahead. Our best days are in front of us.
Health Facts: Loving Relationships Improve Health
Here are three ways a loving relationship can positively impact health:
- Reduced Stress and Lower Blood Pressure: Being in a loving, supportive relationship can decrease stress levels by boosting the production of oxytocin, sometimes called the “love hormone.” Oxytocin helps reduce stress and lower blood pressure, supporting heart health.
- Better Immune Function: Loving relationships often lead to a sense of security and lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which in high levels can weaken the immune system. Reduced cortisol allows the immune system to function more effectively, making individuals less susceptible to infections and inflammation-related illnesses.
- Increased Motivation for Healthy Habits: In loving relationships, partners often encourage each other to maintain healthy habits, like regular exercise, balanced eating, and routine health check-ups. This mutual support and accountability can make it easier to stick to healthy lifestyle choices.
These benefits highlight how meaningful connections impact both emotional and physical well-being.
Source: ChatGPT
“Finding Peace After Loss: The River of Life and the Poetry of Happiness”
Trusting the Flow of Life: Reflections on Sara Teasdale’s ‘Barter’ and Jane Kenyon’s ‘Happiness’
In Episode 140, we explore the beautiful lessons found in two evocative poems: Barter by Sara Teasdale and Happiness by Jane Kenyon. These powerful verses remind us of the richness of life and the importance of embracing its mysterious flow.
Life, much like a river, carries us in its current towards fulfillment, peace, and true happiness. Drawing from Sara Teasdale’s imagery of life’s loveliness and Jane Kenyon’s insights into the elusive nature of happiness, we discuss how letting go of resistance can lead us to a place of inner peace.
This episode encourages us to trust life’s journey, even through grief and uncertainty. Learn why fighting against life’s current can make us miss out on true happiness, and how trusting the flow can lead us to unexpected beauty and joy. Join us in embracing the wisdom of these poets and in believing that the journey is part of the destination.
Keywords & Tags: Sara Teasdale, Jane Kenyon, Barter, Happiness, life lessons, trust life, let go, flow of life, happiness journey, finding peace, poetry reflection, embracing uncertainty, inner peace, grief, fulfillment, inspirational podcast, self-improvement.
Today’s Thought: It’s a Great Day to be Alive
It’s a great day to be alive. It’s the only day we’ve got. C’mon give up a smile. That’s better. A smile brings a message of welcome to others and lets our internal light glow. Yes, it’s a great day to be alive. My brain’s working fine. I had a good night’s sleep. Dawn is breaking and sharing another beautiful sunrise with me. I’ve things to do, people to meet, and places to go. Yes, it is a great day to be alive. I am hoping you have a great day and wear your smile throughout the day.
Today’s Poem: Time by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
Time
Carlos Drummond de Andrade
Who had the idea of slicing time into pieces,
which were given the name of year,
was a genius person.
Industrialized hope
pushing it to the limits of its exhaustiveness.
Twelve months are enough for any human being to get tired and give up.
Then comes the miracle of renovation and all stars once again
we pick up another number wishing that
from now on everything will be different..
…For you,
I wish your dreams fulfilled.
The love you waited.
Hope renewed.
For you,
I wish all the colors of life.
All happiness you can smile to
All songs you can thrill.
For you in this new year,
Wish all friends to be better,
May your family be more united,
May your life be more lived.
I would like to wish you so many things.
But nothing would be enough…
So, I wish only that you have many wishes.
Big wishes and may they move you further every single minute,
on route to your happiness!
