Inspiration: Happiness Is Like A Butterfly…

“Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder…” Henry David Thoreau

Inspiration: Happiness Is Like A Butterfly...

When all your desires are distilled
You will cast just two votes:
To love more, And be happy. Hafiz of Persia

Nasrudin Steals Happiness by: Author Unknown
Nasrudin saw a man sitting dispiritedly at the side of the road. And asked him what troubled him.
“There is nothing of interest in life, my brother,” said the man.
“I have sufficient capital in order that I don’t have to work, and I am only on this trip in order to seek something more interesting and entertaining than the life I have at home.” “So far I haven’t found it!”
Without another word, Nasrudin seized the travelers knapsack and made off down the road with it, running like a rabbit. Since he knew the area, he was easily able to out distance the man. The road curved, and Nasrudin cut across several switchbacks, with the result that he was soon back on the road, well ahead of the man he had just robbed. He put the knapsack by the side of the road and waited for the distressed traveler to show up.
Presently the miserable man appeared, following the tortuous road, more unhappy than ever because of his loss.
As soon as he saw his property lying there, by the side of the road, he ran towards it, shouting with joy.
“That’s one way of producing happiness,” said Nasrudin.

When I make a conscious effort to look for things to make me happy, what I find is often temporary. Temporary pleasure can vanish in an instant… Happiness is being content where we are. For this post, I have added a few gifts of happiness for your perusal and enjoyment; quotes, stories, photos and a sincere wish that everyone find delight in their life. Read: 10 Happiness Quotes We Love

“What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful.” Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama

Inspiration: Happiness Is Like A Butterfly...

“Try to make at least one person happy every day, and then in ten years you may have made three thousand, six hundred and fifty persons happy, or brightened a small town by your contribution to the fund of general enjoyment.” Sydney Smith

The Ass and His Masters by: Author Unknown
An ass, belonging to an herb-seller who gave him too little food and too much work, made a petition to Jupiter to be released from his present service and provided with another master. Jupiter, after warning him that he would repent his request, had him sold to a tile-maker. Shortly afterwards, finding that he had heavier loads to carry and harder work in the brick-field, the Ass petitioned for another change of master. Jupiter told him that it would be the last time that he could grant the request, then  sold the Ass to a tanner. The Ass soon found that he had fallen into worse hands, and noting his master’s occupation, said, groaning: “It would have been better for me to have been either starved by the one, or to have been overworked by the other of my former masters, than to have been bought by my present owner, who will even  tan my hide, and make me useful to him after I am dead.” He that finds discontentment in one place is not likely to find happiness in another.

The story above reminds us of the futility that comes with expecting things to change when we don’t change. Our external conditions might change but if our thoughts remain fixed on the negative, if they don’t change, we won’t either.  There is much to embrace around us. For starters, we can make a daily commitment to help someone. Read: 10 Ways to Find Happiness

“What will they think of me?” must be put aside for bliss.” Joseph Campbell

Inspiration: Happiness Is Like A Butterfly...

“Happiness is a journey, not a destination; happiness is to be found along the way not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it’s too late. The time for happiness is today not tomorrow.” Paul H Dunn

Happiness on Hold by: Author Unknown
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren’t old enough and we’ll be more content when they are.
After that, we’re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.
The truth is, there’s no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It’s best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with… and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting

Time, like death, is the great equalizer. No matter how rich, beautiful, powerful or lowly we are, time ticks steadily away for all of us.  We can fritter it away with inaction or be present now to act on what matters to us.  Conditions don’t have to be ideal for life has ups and downs…  Be. Act. Live.  More below. 😉

“Most people ask for happiness on condition. Happiness can only be felt if you don’t set any condition.” ~ Arthur Rubinstein

Inspiration: Happiness Is Like A Butterfly...

“As I go through all kinds of feelings and experiences in my journey through life — delight, surprise, chagrin, dismay — I hold this question as a guiding light: “What do I really need right now to be happy?” What I come to over and over again is that only qualities as vast and deep as love, connection and kindness will really make me happy in any sort of enduring way.” Sharon Salzberg

Being 8 Years Old Again by: Author Unknown
I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of an 8 year-old again.
I want to go to McDonald’s and think that it’s a four star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make a sidewalk with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than money because you can eat them.
I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer’s day.
I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes, but that didn’t bother you, because you didn’t know what you didn’t know and you didn’t care. All you knew was to be happy because you were blissfully unaware of all the things that should make you worried or upset.
I want to think the world is fair. That everyone is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is possible.
I want to be oblivious to the complexities of life and be overly excited by the little things again.
I want to live simple again. I don’t want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness, and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind, and making angels in the snow.
So, here’s my checkbook and my car-keys, my credit card bills and my 401K statements. I am officially resigning from adulthood. And if you want to discuss this further, you’ll have to catch me first, cause… “Tag! You’re it.”

We can choose to reconnect with that happy place inside by going back to childhood pleasures, or embrace our adult self by surrendering our fears and follies to the ether; it’s all good.  Life will continue with its complications and confusions but we can let them go and shift our thinking. What about you? What are your thoughts? What adds to your happiness? What does the meaning of life mean to you?  What inspiring stories on happiness do you have/enjoy?  Do share! Thank you. 🙂

*Please bear with me as I catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience! 🙂

Positive Motivation Tip:  The only mystery around happiness is why more people don’t embrace it within. Instead, we chase our tail looking for it outside.

PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos Siproeta epaphus, Monarch in May,  Citrus Swallowtail, Australian Painted lady, via Wikipedia Stories via Inspirational Stories.

Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet