Hello All --

I'd like to point out something that my spiritual mentor once told me, that makes a lot of sense:

Happiness is related to the word happenstance. So when we talk about happiness, we are looking outward for a certain experience. Joy, she argued, is gaining that experience from an inner source -- ultimately, given that she is a spiritual mentor and wife of the late minister of a church I attended -- from God.

Of course, I still find happiness in outer sources. Buying something pretty or that I need or want. We Americans take great stock in that, don't we? Settling into my recliner with a bowl of Hagan Dazs ice cream and good TV show or movie.

Then there are those experiences that transcend that. Feeling that transcendent oneness in the laugh of a child, the unconditional love of a trusting pet, participating in a moving church ceremony, or prayer alone, or being in nature. Any and all of these and more small impetuses can evoke that feeling of joy in me. Or bless. Or peace. Whatever one calls it. It is quite wonderful.

Good topic, IG.