Happy Moments

     I took my sons out for a walk at a nearby lake the other day. The weather was perfect for it.  The sky was clear, the temperature was warm, the sun was dancing off the waves, and flowers were blooming along the walk path surrounding the water. Couples both young and old were walking along the path enjoying all of this God given beauty. Dozens of people were fishing peacefully along the banks and in boats. Children were running and playing with their dogs.  Families were setting up picnic dinners for later. Some people were just sitting in the grass looking blissfully out on the water. I even saw one young woman praying with a joyful smile on her face as she sat under a tree. Never had I seen so many people spending their time so well.

     The day after the great teacher and writer Leo Buscaglia died a note was found in his typewriter. It simply said, "Every moment spent in unhappiness is a moment of happiness lost."  I for one don’t want to lose any more moments of happiness that I have left in this world. I want to use and enjoy every single one of them. It doesn’t matter if they are spent working, playing, eating, reading, singing, praying, or just walking in the sunshine. I want to spend my time well and fill my life with happy moments. I want to choose love, share joy, and be one with God all day long every single day of my life.

     Happiness isn’t something you find. Happiness is something you choose. Happiness is something you live. Life here is both precious and brief. Spend it well. Live it joyously. Don’t waste a second of it on unhappiness. Go to work with a smile on your face. Greet others with love in your heart. Exercise with pleasure. Play with delight. Pray with both peace and joy. Learn from your pain. Grow from your troubles. And always use every moment you are given to choose more love, joy, peace, happiness, and oneness with God.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool@wirefire.com) -- {used with permission} ]