Shortcuts to Happiness: Part xiv

I’ve heard some people say that if they are happy all of the time then won’t life become blah, bland and dull without the rollercoaster ride of life. In my experience I have seen just the opposite. As individuals become more at ease accepting and trusting themselves and others, they tend to be more distinctly themselves. Therefore I believe that happiness accents rather than diminishes individuality. In fact the happier a person delights in his own idiosyncratic ways and uses personal authenticity as yet another useful tool the better he feels and will encourage others to be the same.

I once saw a very straight laced lady behave in a most forbidding and cold way to the people around her and then a transformation took place when her little granddaughter appeared. Suddenly this woman was taken out of her austere demeanor as she cuddled her granddaughter and suddenly her face became animated as she cooed and smiled. For a fleeting moment the lady lowered her mask and allowed her silliness and inner joy to surface. However, when she realized that people were watching her and were also smiling broadly she once again became self conscious, returned the baby to her Mother and resumed in her usual manner. The baby had inspired an innocent and authentic response.

What would the impact be if we all began greeting the circumstances of our life like small children? A baby explores his world with dancing eyes. His tiny hands will grasp and hold objects, everything goes to his mouth no object in view escapes his curiosity and investigation. A small child is fascinated, spontaneous and curious about everything. Little people are forever busy, their endless motion unencumbered by judgments and self-incriminations. They are the planets great adventurers, genuine explorers who dare to bring themselves fully to every experience. They don’t simply go with the flow, they are their own flow. They don’t simply act happily; they are happiness in action.

How wonderful to know the uncensored authenticity of another human being, who can take their cues from within and give to the world so freely without role playing in accordance with external standards.