High on Happiness

Posts Tagged ‘love’

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Each speck of existence comes into being with its own shape and shade, its own patterns, its own place and time. Each has its own path, its own story to live and to tell.

And through each, the Great Yes peers out at itself, seeing from a new perspective, hearing its own song as its never been heard before and singing it anew.

And into each, it pours its joy, and tenderness, and its burning compassion.

Into each: each blade of grass, each raindrop, each flower and bird, each leaf, every star, every grain of sand.  Into you.  Into me.

And all things live in its love forever.

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Even the prickly things are loved.  Stones, thorns, scales, shells and shards receive their share of grace.

The light of the Great Yes light flows to all, regardless of our judgments.

It is heedless of form. With freedom and joy,  it gives itself to all.

It penetrates the depths and all the hidden places.  Shadows are nothing to it.  It knows no walls.

The lonely, the fearful, the despised and despairing are wrapped in its mercy.  Its tenderness knows no end.

Be at peace then.  Nothing is lost.  All things are known.

And even the prickly things are loved.

Take the warmth that melts your heart-ice and send love flowing free.  Send it over the banks, past all the boundaries.  Send it to all the parched places.  Let it seep into their earth and revive them.

Deny it to no one, to nothing; love that is conditioned isn’t love at all.

Call to the sun.  Ask it to release every frozen bit of you.  Ask it to teach you fearlessness and joy.

The heavens loose the heart choirs and the song of love sweeps in, gliding across earth’s skies like the wings of angels.

It rides the winds and plays through the boughs of the trees.  It skims along roadways and fields, and into all the cities and towns, swooping through doorways and windows.  There’s no holding it back.

It’s come to make its home in you, to pour itself into your mouth, to ride the air into your lungs, to drench your very cells with its sweetness and its power.

Shhhh.  Just listen. Breathe it out.  Breathe it in.  Be the song, wordless and singing.

It was a particularly clear night and full of magic.   In the heavens, high above the treetops, the creatures of the frost world could see the pearly glow of the legendary ring of moons that surrounded their world.

Mothers and fathers woke children from their beds and led them outside to see the sight, for it appeared only rarely and this might be their only chance.  “Remember this,” the parents would whisper.  “Remember this always.”

“What is it?” the awe-struck children would ask.

“We do not know,” the parents would answer.  “Some say it is the home of the gods who call us into being and bless us with their love.  Those who are lucky enough to glimpse its beauty are said to carry hope in their hearts all their lives, even in times of great darkness.”

And the children held their parents hands and leaned against their warm bodies, watching until morning came.  And although most of them would never see the ring of moons again, their hearts were filled forever with its glowing, pearly light.

Even when the world is cold, love writes its notes.  “I heart you,” it says, smiling.  Just look.  They’re everywhere:  Stones, leaves, vines.

If you don’t see one, it’s up to you to be the artist’s hand.  Go ahead, scatter them around.  Love will shine through you as you do.

Write the word “You!” inside them.  Draw them in the snow.  Put them on sticky notes and leave them on subway walls, on cans of tomato soup, on the back of a baby’s jacket.

Stick one under somebody’s windshield wiper, in pockets, lunch boxes and shoes.  Mail one to Aunt Martha anonymously.  Mail one to somebody you pick from the phone book at random.

Be an eye: see what’s all around for you.  Be a hand: pass it on.

“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!  ~Goethe

The New Year begins!  Both the curtain and the bar are raised.  And we come leaping into this gift of new hours, fresh dreams in hand, full of hope and daring.

Let our faith be firm.  Let us bring to this New Year the best in us: Hearts brave enough to be vulnerable, lips willing to speak our truth, hands eager to reach out in kindness, souls ready to serve.

Let us be alert for goodness and beauty and find them in every hour.  Let us fly our dreams like flags before us.  Let us reach for the stars and climb whatever mountains may appear.  Let us not take no for an answer, but cling instead to our passion for the endless possibilities.

And may the Illimitable Yes that is Love and Peace and Joy sing its song through us all our days and fill us with its grace.

You wrote yourself indelibly on our lives, oh quickly fading year.  You tried us, and tested us, and made us stronger.  Against the backdrop of your seasons, we loved and laughed, said our hellos and goodbyes, poured new learning into our hearts and minds, gathered fresh bundles of wisdom and grew our souls.

And although there were times of darkness and heartache, although we mourned and were afraid, in the end, we found ourselves braver and truer somehow, more determined, surer of ourselves and of our meaning.  Even in the darkness, you wrote poems on our hearts and filled them new understanding and compassion.

You brought us gifts of beauty and unfolded pathways of hope.  Your hours opened to us new wonders and discoveries that thrilled our minds and let us see the depths of our potential.   You brought us moments of triumph that let our spirits soar.

Now, as you take our yesterdays to the temple of times past, take with you, too, this deep red rose as a token of our heartfelt thanks for all the gifts you gave, for all the love you taught us, for all the joy.

Farewell, 2011.  Farewell.

When the florist placed the little chrysanthemum into the bouquet and began wrapping red gossamer ribbon and sparkling tinsel around her, she could hardly believe her good fortune.

Never had she dreamed she would end up in such a beautiful bouquet.  It was like being in flower heaven.

She settled in with the roses, pine cones and greenery, and held her breath, wondering what would come next.

“Where are we going?  What is this for?  What should I do?” she whispered to the red rose beside her.

“Ours is a special mission,” the rose said.  “We were chosen as symbols of the love of the Great Yes and intended to express its beauty and joy. “

“Of course that is the purpose of everything that the Great Yes brings into being.  But we, dear child, are being sent to sing the song in celebration of the way that love touches human hearts.”

The little chrysanthemum was still for a moment as she absorbed the meaning of this honor.  “How can I do that?” she asked the rose.

“Just be yourself, child.  All of us are made from love.  Immerse yourself in its power and beauty; know that it shapes your every petal, and then let it flow from you in gladness.   Just be who you are.  Just be the love.”

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Oh, the fantasies that fill the air this magical, wondrous night!  The wee ones can hardly go to sleep, and the grown-ups push sleep away as they finish casting their spells.

Visions of sugarplums dance on the wind, and reindeer fly the skies.  And legends come alive.  Oh yes, legends become alive and true.

And hearts are filled with hope and with dreams, and souls are filled with light.  And even those on whom sorrow falls feel the love beneath all their longing.

And all our dreams rise: may our best hopes come true.  May there be peace and happy endings.

And high above, the twinkling stars shine, and the Great Yes bows down to enfold us.