New Shoes and Happiness

A lovely quote from Theodor Fontaine for anyone considering a little shoe-related retail therapy this holiday weekend: "Happiness, it seems to me, consists of two things: first, in being where you belong, and second - and best - in comfortably going through everyday life; that is, having had a good night's sleep and not being hurt by new shoes."

Inspiration for Wednesday

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." A wonderfully inspiring thought from Howard Thurman. What can you do today that makes you come alive?

Happiness Is....

... Theo, Lily and Poppy - happiness experts.

Happiness Quote for Friday

"Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy, because we will always want to have something else or something more." - David Steindl-Rast

Happiness Quote for Tuesday

"Everything is material for the seed of happiness, if you look into it with inquisitiveness and curiosity. The future is completely open and we are writing it from moment to moment. There always is the potential to create an environment of blame - or one that is conducive to loving kindness." - Pema Chodron

A transformation from out of the depths...

One evening recently we were out in the garden with the dogs before retiring for the night, and we noticed a strange exodus occurring around the margins of the pond... well over a dozen dragonfly larvae were clambouring laboriously from the green depths, out into the dusk; finding themselves in an entirely new and unfamiliar environment. The underside of a leaf, or perhaps a stem of an iris was to be the scene of a remarkable transformation, undertaken during the hours of darkness, as each of these little creatures struggled to escape the confines of the hard, armoured casing that had protected it for so long.

In the morning, when I crept out to see, the early rays of sunlight glittered and shimmered from a myriad gossamer wings held out to dry before, one by one, these delicate, ethereal creatures launched themselves into the world to explore their new capabilities; just discovered, and which had been there all along. Who would think, looking at the strange, dry, empty cases still clinging to the leaves and stems around the pond, that within lay such breathtaking beauty and elegance?