Happiness - Where does it start?

People may search for happiness by buying a car or a house. They may even search for this happiness through another person. But, they are searching for happiness in all the wrong places. Happiness has to start from within. The car, house, or person may bring you some happiness. But once that euphoric feeling wears away, and eventually it will fade, you will then find yourself grasping for something or someone else in hopes of obtaining that happiness again.

It is important to have self-love, inner peace, and inner happiness. Because you cannot bring that which you lack into the life of another. Know that you are no greater or no less of a person than the person next to you. No matter your position in life, be it in the physical or spiritual world, we are all children of God. We are all children of the Universe. The only difference between us is our level of spirituality. We are individual boats in the same ocean of life paddling towards the same destination at our own pace.

When we allow ourselves to become upset or disappointed about something someone close to us may have said or done; be it your child, husband, wife, or friend. We may often times be too quick to judge that person or situation without looking at what our part may have been. Which in turn may cause us to react in such a way that we do or say the wrong thing. I know this has been my own personal experience. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to take an honest look at ourselves and admit that we may have been wrong.

For years I kept the following poem written by Maya Angelou pinned on my bulletin board at work. I kept this poem in front of me so I could read it everyday. And remember what is most important to me; my family. I find this poem to be very humbling.

"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love. Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers."

- Maya Angelou

Are You A Reason, A Season, Or A Lifetime?

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON:
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON:
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons:
Things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind, but friendship is clairvoyant.

- Author Unknown

I find that reading spiritual and motivational writings helps to inspire and encourage me to move forward in my day and week. What I plan to do with this site, is to continue to add materials that are interesting, uplifting, and encouraging. I want to create a place where people could read some of the inspirational materials that have helped me along my path. I hope you as my audience find something that you like here, and that it will help inspire you in some way.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry-go-round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? Do you run through each day on the fly?

When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head? Ever told your child, "We'll do it tomorrow." And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"? When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift...Thrown away...

Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

- Unknown Author

I was asked to create a blog as an assignment for my English class. And what I thought I would do with this blog, is to make it a place that I can share with you inspirational and spiritual writings. I hope you will enjoy what you read, and that it will bring you a little ray of sunshine, if even just for the day.

Share a smile with someone today!