The subtle art of happiness…
This is my son Noah a couple of years ago… he used to be REALLY into meditating… or atleast copying me while I was meditating!
Today on the way home from school, our conversation went like this…
Me: How was your day?
Noah: Well, my brain just wasn’t working this morning.
Me: What do you mean?
Noah: It kept going to different places.
Me: Where’d it go?
Noah: Cuddled up on the couch with you.
(Please excuse me while I clean up what’s left of my melting heart).
Sigh.
Today is “happy day,” a day to roll around in smiles and giggles and gratitude along with the Happy Book adventurers. To be honest, my happiness has been a bit more quiet these last couple of days. I think hormones and exhaustion and feeling as though I’m fighting a cold all have me a tad bit weepy, and I think that the uncertainty of what’s to come has me slightly in a tizzy.
Have you ever noticed that sometimes happiness can be a little more subtle? The wonderful thing about contentment is that we can feel this way… we can allow ourselves to visit with the melancholy and the angst, try them on like they’re an old pair of boots, all the while knowing that we also feel grateful, that we feel the vibrancy of possibilities, the excitement of mystery, and the quieter whispers of joy… Sometimes happiness is a little less palpable in the immediacy of our lives… but it still lies underneath, supporting us, encouraging us to keep moving, reminding us to listen and reach for its sweet song.
We don’t have to let our emotions define us. We can allow them to pass by like clouds in the sky, knowing that we are the brilliant blue underneath.
So for now, I’m going to go kick off my boots and snuggle on the couch with my little Zen master…
Categories: Living Mindfully, The Happy Book, gratitude, inside out | 
Tags: authenticity, gratitude, happiness, Jamie Ridler, Lisa Rough, The Happy Book, The Next Chapter, trust | 
11 Comments »
I hope you and Noah have a wonderful snuggle on the couch. I loved what he said. Definitely something to be happy about and remember forever.
Yes, these new children, old souls all together. My daughter is the same. She is so into magic in the last weeks. Always talking about dreams, the chakras, other realms. We have similar conversations.
what a beautiful post! I love the pic! your words ring true! happy weekend to you and your little zen master. ciao!
~Aw, love him. I adore it when my son says cute things like that to me. You do melt!!
Thanks for sharing that sweet moment. I wish I had written down more of those parent-child interactions with my kids so I can remember exactly what they said. I like how you explore the different kinds of happiness–contentment, joy, bliss. Enjoy your snuggle times!
I love the picture of your son. It makes me feel zen!
Our children are life’s most precious treasures. Enjoy your moments and may they nurture and uplift you and connect to that happiness underneath!
Love
XO Fatma
How precious! Just the other day my son was in meditation pose on the couch in the living space of the boat. While my daughter and I buzzed about around him. I asked “what are you doing?” and he calmly answered “calling a water fairy”. I love that about our children–so sweet and innocent and full of belief. I stop and learn as much as I can from these very wise souls:)
Hope today finds you feeling better – enjoy that cuddle time. I miss that now that mine are grown!
I loved your happy conversation with Noah. Thanks for sharing it — I even got a little teary eyed!
thanks for sharing your happy moment with your son, what an adorable pic. My happy moments were subtle ones this week also.
Precious photo! Hope you had a good snuggle with your zen master. The little ones are our greatest teachers!