Happiness Is Giving Up Control

This morning I read a Time magazine interview with mystery writer Sue Grafton. She's just written her 21st book, all of them titled to follow the alphabet, from A Is For Alibi to U Is For Undertow, her latest. Her books regularly hit No. 1 on the New York Times best-seller list.

What I found interesting is what I've heard numerous authors, artists, and sports figures say - that they know they're not running the show when it comes to their talents. Speaking of her main character through all the books, a woman detective named Kinsey Milhone, Grafton says, "...I don't know what's going to happen to Kinsey Milhone because it's none of my business until I get there. So we'll see. I don't tell her; she tells me. I'm just along for the ride..."

When we recognize that we're always "just along for the ride" because we're not running the show we stop trying to control things and getting upset because Life isn't the way we think it should be. That's happiness.

Posted via email from A Happy, Peaceful Life - Your Choice

Want What Is And Be Happy

Now, that title sounds silly doesn't it? After all, life is always about wanting isn't it? When we're little we want to be older and bigger. As teens we want to get our first car and then we know we'll be happy. Isn't it true that wanting is a constant in your life?

Many years ago when I first began to learn about seeing life as it is, I read a statement by an East Indian sage named Papaji. He said when people get what they want they're really happy for a short time. They think that getting made them happy. But Papaji said no, that's not the reason. The reason they're happy is that for a short time they're not wanting anything, not seeking something more or better. In other words, they're content and at peace for that short time.

When I looked into my own life I realized he was right on. For a short time there's an ease, a relaxing, a going-with-the-flow, a peacefulness that's unmatchable. The ancient wise ones have all advised looking deep into our thoughts and desires. When we do we see that "To crave is to slave" as another East Indian sage puts it. Wanting is the definition of unhappiness: "I'm not happy now but I will be when I get...."

Instead of craving, what if we asked ourselves honestly: Can I really know I'll be happy when I get what I want? Who is this "me" that thinks it needs to direct life and control how it shows up?

Posted via email from A Happy, Peaceful Life - Your Choice