Happiness....

It takes work to be happy. Maybe not hard work, or maybe for some it is hard work. But what else is there to do really. Maybe joy is found in giving? Giving is receiving and receiving is giving. It's the same action. I give and then I receive satisfaction for giving. I see no problem with this. I wonder why we divide that so much into 2 petty little categories rather than just see it for what it is: just a natural state of being alive and awake.

I was on the subway platform the other day, just finished teaching and was tired but happy. My last lesson was really rewarding. A lady with a nice smile and a heavy Jamaican accent approached me and asked if I spoke English. I knew exactly what she was going to do next, she was going to ask if I've accepted Jesus as my lord and savior. I said no, I haven't and I won't but I'll be happy to pray with you. I liked her vibe so why not. She asked me if I have ever told a lie and I replied "of course I have! Probably every day!" She said some prayer about forgiveness and moved on. I was happy to receive that little prayer and move on myself.

Honesty takes work. I was glad to just be honest in that moment. I've been approached by Christians, Buddhist, Krishnas and other religious folks and I usually get defensive and snarky. I don't like the vibe, but I liked hers. I could be honest about that, pray and move on home. It was the end of a good day.

There's a passage in the gnostic Jesus book, I think it's in the book of Thomas. That's right: doubting Thomas. Though in this book he's simply Thomas, the one who keeps it real cause he answers a question with a question which is what a responsible human needs to be doing (why are children so much better at this than us adults?). 

Anyway, the apostles go to the Jesus and ask him "How does one get to the Kingdom of Heaven? What alms do we give? What prayers do we offer? How do we fast?" The reply was quite simple and I wish I heard this as a child rather than the rules I had been given. The reply? "Do not tell lies and do not do that which you hate for the Kingdom is within plain sight." 

That's something to reach for, or something to be. I'd rather be honest with myself and with everyone else and create heaven on earth than abide by rules someone else laid out. Do what you love and be honest about it, don't worry, be happy and by some mysterious way, you'll be okay. Yes, it's work. It's not being an a-hole your whole life then repenting on your dying day. Some days I fail miserably at this but I'm having better days now that I used to. It's work to forgive myself and others, let go, be honest and present but..... what else is there to do?

J1