So Much Happiness

It is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness.
With sadness there is something to rub against,
A wound to tend with lotion and cloth.
When the world falls in around you, you have pieces to pick up,
Something to hold in your hands, like ticket stubs or change.

But happiness floats.
It doesn’t need you to hold it down.
It doesn’t need anything.
Happiness lands on the roof of the next house, singing,
And disappears when it wants to.
You are happy either way.
Even the fact that you once lived in a peaceful tree house
And now live over a quarry of noise and dust
Cannot make you unhappy.
Everything has a life of its own,
It too could wake up filled with possibilities
Of coffee cake and ripe peaches,
And love even the floor which needs to be swept,
The soiled linens and scratched records….

Since there is no place large enough
To contain so much happiness,
You shrug, you raise your hands, and it flows out of you
Into everything you touch. You are not responsible.
You take no credit, as the night sky takes no credit
For the moon, but continues to hold it, and to share it,
And in that way, be known.

~ Naomi Shihab Nye ~

One of yoga’s most beautiful niyamas (ethical practices to cultivate) is Santosha or Contentment.    With Santosha, there is less doing and more a sitting with, a being present for, a quiet contemplation to look around and be content in the moment, in this very moment.  Today notice how many times you might sabotage your contentment.  Sometimes we worry that things are too good, that it won’t last.  Sometimes we think we should do more, be more or get more.   Be aware of when you feel content today  and allow yourself the joy and peace that cultivating santosha brings, however fleeting or far between, 

 

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A Meditative flow ending with time for a guided meditation and relaxation.  Appropriate for all Levels.

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 (but feel free to check in as late at 7 for a spot)

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Restorative Yoga and Acupuncture on October 8th at 7 to 9pm.  Click the link to learn more.