A Soulful Smile

A favorite quote of mine is said by Democritus, 

"Happiness resides not in possessions and not in gold, the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul." 

His philosphies were not well received during his day, even Plato despised his teachings so much that he called for them to be burned. So being the philosophical underdog that he was, how could he carry on in such a positive way, and continue to stress the importance of cheerfulness as the "ultimate good?" He had plenty to be pissed off about.

For Democritus there are two ways of "knowing," one through the senses and one through the intellect. His teachings run deeper than the mind. We must move past innate human nature to achieve inner contenment and understand that inner peace can only be attained through practice and self-discipline. Though I like to think that the inner peace is in us all along, and we just have to kick out the rubbish produced by being human living in a society. If we can get beyond our need to be like others or accepted by the world, we might find happiness in just "being" this concentration of atoms that will one day disperse again.

If you believe that for every effect there is a cause, then everything we do will affect the world in some way. Why not focus on being cheerful? What good will being nasty and negative bring to the world? Do you really think it will bring positive change? 

If we want love, we must give love. If we want the world to smile, we must begin to smile ourselves;~) 

(and not an nasty, evil, vengeful smile...that is not a smile, that is a smirk!!!!)

I'm talking about a smile that erupts from the happiness and contentment in the soul.

Thought of the Day

"An inexhaustible good nature is one of the most precious gifts of Heaven,
        spreading itself like oil over the troubled sea of thought,
and keeping the mind smooth and equable in the roughest weather."

                                              ~Washington Irving

This is the kind of thing that makes me SMILE:~))

Chicago~Terry Kath "Make Me Smile"

Marcus Aurelius once said "The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Therefore, guard accordingly and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable to nature."

He spent much of his reign fighting barbarians who were ruthless opponents. One time I was told that the only way to fight barbarians in your life is to build a wall, but they will keep trying to climb over it and all you can do is beat them over the head with an iron stick. Maybe to some people, I am the barbarian? It's a matter of which side of the mirror you are on. Perhaps the barbarian is inside of each individual? Maybe we can call it our will, ego, desire? It's that part of us that wants what it wants and will do anything to get it even if we know it's wrong. Like a two year old who wants someone else's toy, then grabs it a runs away.

I believe what Marcus Aurelius realized is there is a barbarian in all of us and we need self control to rise above the battle zone in our hearts and minds. He also said, "Try living...as one who is well pleased with what is allotted to him from the whole and finds contentment in his own just conduct and kindly disposition." So no matter what pleasures, pains, health and wealth, be content in all that is given to you, good and bad, and you will be able to find happiness in the way you think about your circumstances. For good and bad are based on judgements and judgements are most often false.

Don't worry just be happy and share happiness with others as often as you find the strength in your heart and joy in your mind.

I decided to move to Aruba.
Described as "One Happy Island"
http://www.aruba.com/explorearuba/multimedia_gallery.aspx

Big Fun Toady

I goofed. I thought I was taking a picture and then I realized the video was on instead so I shut it off quick. I should of let it run longer. He's a cute toad! We had lots of fun together.

Flying high inside the eye!