Agnes Repplier (award winning 19th-20th century essayist)
Do you want to be happy?
I am sure most of us would answer yes to that question. So what is the problem? Why are so many of us unhappy so much of the time? Agnes, above, says it all.
We spend our lives trying to find happiness outside ourselves because it is so challenging to find it within ourselves.
Say what, crazy lady?
Happiness is elusive only because we do not understand its origins and are afraid of letting go of the familiar. We are afraid to give up on the directions to happiness so may of us received as welcome gifts from our egos when we first settled down into this physical world. When we were ready to start walking, we were given detailed maps full of borders, detours, danger signs and stop signs.
"Happiness can only be found if you take these routes. Stay off the routes marked with an X," the map will read.
It directs us away from Self and into the possession of things, the need for others to fulfill us, the preservation of our little "me", the attainment of success in forms of monetary achievements and social recognition...and the focus on body and what the body desires.
This map creates a beautifully detailed route that only works on paper...not in reality. Its directions take us around in circles and if we follow them we become nothing but frustrated and exhausted...because we just cannot seem to get to our destination.
We get fooled. It may seem we are getting close...there may be momentary checkpoints of peace and happiness along the way but then we are steered away again by a feeling of emptiness and the sense of being "unfulfilled."
Ego's map does not take us to happiness and if we continue to follow it because it looks so darn good...we will get lost. We will not be happy....at least, not for very long.
The Other Map
There is another map we can follow. It is an ancient map that was preciously held in the hands of many truth seekers and wise masters over the years. The material is greying, rough around the edges and tattered and torn. The ink may be fading...but the directions...the directions are so clear when one is ready to read them that it is impossible to get lost.
The directions point to some of the routes that ego's maps have crossed off as dangerous and direct us there across the borders, through the detours and past the danger signs and stop signs. Instead of taking us away from Self they direct us to the Self.
The roads we are directed to travel on this map are not simple ones to travel on. They cover some rough terrain, full of pot holes and hills built by our destructive thinking, stuffed feelings, senseless activities, addictions and unhealthy beliefs that have become integral parts of our daily lives. It is a challenging route, for sure, but it is straight.
When the route is seen clearly it is obvious that it takes us to our destination. It is. in fact, the only route that can take us there. Happiness is found within not without.
What are the directions to happiness?
We will discuss that in later blogs...For now know that the only true direction to go in is inward. So ignore ego's directions. As challenging as it may be to put down the familiar, put the map you are holding down. Realize it is only making empty promises and getting you lost. Happiness can not be found if you follow ego's directions.
Find an ancient map to read instead by first finding the truth seeker within yourself. Be willing to question all that you thought you knew...be willing to question the directions and arrows you have been following. Be willing to want more.
The destination is there....on the straight path that we have scattered with obstacles. Be willing to work your way through the obstacles to discover the truth.
What is the truth?
Happiness is only the beginning of your journey. There is so much more waiting for you on the other side.
All is well in my world.
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