Choose, You Must

 

"Whether this moment is happy or not depends on you.

It's you that makes the moment happy.

It's not the moment that makes you happy.

With mindfulness, concentration and insight,

any moment can become a happy moment.

Happiness is an art."

Thich Nhat Hanh

The recipe for a happy New Year has three simple ingredients:  Mindfulness, Concentration, and Insight.  When blended together, happiness is the result.  No matter what we are facing or what we have lost, by staying in the moment we will peacefully experience some element of happiness.  

Thich Nhat Hanh states that "happiness is an art" which indicates it must be cultivated, mastered, and prioritized by our own discretion.  We determine if we will remain stuck in pain, paralyzed by fear or begin each minute anew.  We have a choice.  Each and every moment there is an opportunity for us to choose where we will place our focus.  

For some of us, remaining in sadness or sorrow, allows us to avoid the unknown.  There is comfort in the familiar, even if it causes  pain.  It takes courage to move out of what we know.  It takes determination to move beyond our fears.  It takes practice to still the mindless chatter whipping at our self-esteem.  There is choice, and granted, it is rarely easy; but, choose you must.

In any given moment, escape into silence that eagerly awaits.  With time, this moment of silence can be expanded into two moments and then three, building to portions of time that restores our heart, body, and soul.  To learn to be happy in each given moment does not mean we avoid challenge or pain.  It does mean that once we create the art of happiness, we will be able to pass through any life situation with patience and insight rather than overwhelm and fear. 

I wish this for each of you!

Happy New Year