How do we go about  determined to enjoy each day? Often I find many reason to find fault in the day. I didn’t pass an important test in school, my children decided not listen, I forget to bring the items I promised to the event, another story in the news filled with fear.  When I resolve to focus on this negativity then the cycle and karma aligns. My thoughts attract more events that will allow me to manufacture complaints and negative emotions.

When I wake up in the morning one of the first things I love to do is open my window. I love the sounds of the morning. The birds singing their beautiful songs uplift my heart. I meditate on the sounds of the morning. The birds are so content. They are living in happiness and in the place of faith. They understand life was made for them. They trust God and the endless supply of abundance regardless of the days circumstances. They appreciate the gift, and in return what they give out, they attract. Karmic Happiness.

When we give happiness to the world around us the response is simple; Happiness. There will always be enough sadness in the world. Why would I want to add to it. Impermanence is a fact of life. Not one day is the same.  Great joy comes from what is possible, hope, and living  a life of great spirit.

“Be happy in your faith and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually, always”                       ~1 Thessalonians 5:16 (amp)

God causes everything to work together for the good and for love. It is not nature , but human beings that cause distress. We are all called to do something in this life time. I was in a yoga class the other morning and the teacher was complaining about the western style of the medical field.  She implied that they were not doing things the “right” way.  What I heard was they were not doing things “her” way. She went on about what they are not doing, and what they “should” be doing. Myself as a practitioner of yoga, ayurveda , massage for almost 15 years and now joining the western science of medicine as a nurse, did not share her narrowed point of view.  As a yogi I am called to find integration, balance and union is all that I do, and see. I have trained my mind to judge less and find the gift in everyone life’s purpose. As a believer in God I am called to respect the gift each of us are born with, and to pray on how we can integrate our gifts with each other.  We are all born with a gift.  If it was the same exact gift how would we help each other along our way.

I reflected on this experience for some time, and while listening to the birds that reside outside my window, I let go of my need to control to the great spirit, and like the birds who so trust this spirit to take care of them, I  did the same. I gave myself the gift of happiness, and decided to trust that if I use my gift along side another’s gift,  life will be filled with abundance always. I let go of worrying about what I cannot control.

We can never blame others,  or circumstances for our unhappiness, nor will it relieve your exisitng unhappiness.  Taking responsibility for your happiness is a gift. Should we encounter bad news, judgments, always look deeper within yourself.  Gods gift of spirit always enables us to accept life’s hand graciously. Meditate on those parts of life that are lovely. Pray for those things that bring joy to others lives instead what divides us.  We are not alone on this road. Spirit always leads us to truth.  This indwelling presence allows us to share our gifts equally and supplies us the strength to accept the gift: Happiness.

Yoga For Happiness Sequence:

First sit in easy pose with your back long and straight, begin to breath slowly in and out through your nose gently and meditate on this:

“The spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will ~Romans 8:26-27

When you begin to feel your mind has surrendered start to gently smile. Open your arms with the palms of your hands facing the sky, and allow lifes full abundance to flow into your heart. Do this for 3-7 minutes. Yes keep your arms up and continue to breath slow and deep in and out through the nose.

End with legs stretched out in front of you and take 3 minutes to stretch in forward bend. Breathing slow and deep.

Lay on your back and bring your knees into your chest and rock from side to side slowly.  Begin now to breath softly and naturally in and out through your nose. Rest in Savasana  for a few more minutes and imagine you are sacrificing your practice to God. Keep your soft smile and let go.

Peace to you ~MJ

Need Inspiration? Watch Harold and Maude