I’ve been rereading some of the responses to No % of Return in Worrying from my blog and November ELM newsletter. What jewels have come back to me! Many of you wrote to say thank you. And the thank you is reciprocal. Words and photos that go back and forth over the miraculous world of the internet have often been the kickstart of my days.
Some pearls (somewhat paraphrased): “I’m letting go of the tatters of old ‘stuff.’”
“All is well with us.” Yes, all IS well. We are here. Alive. Breathing and have at least one person in our life who cares deeply for each of us.
“The McDowell reference is spiritually uplifting; brings lightness and gladness to the heart and mind.”
“I’m going to share this with friends.” Yes, please share!!!
“I know it (worry) as unnecessary suffering. Worry is useless but so hard to to control because things, little and large, swallow us up.”
“Inspires me to do more of the same.” (positive actions)
“Thanks for reminding us.”
I read these wo
rds over and I feel… a great sense of well-being. I feel happy. Did you ever play that game “Pass it On”? It’s like the “Telephone” game. One person says one thing and whispers to the next or passes on a tickle, a hug, a kiss, (some day we’ll do that again) That’s kind of how I felt with the responses. Happiness passed around. People are quite creative, resilient and generous in sharing happiness during these pandemic days- think email, phone, facetime, Zoom, Distort, instagram, Twitter, cards and letters via snail mail. Out in the world- at a distance- wave, say hi, smile behind your mask. Sending happy thoughts to you
Someday…but until then…
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. ~Buddha
Happiness is not a goal- it is a by-product. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Happiness is caring, and liking one another. ~C.R., age 10
We are sure God wants us to be happy, joyous, and free. ~The Big Book p.133
Every day’s a kick! ~ Oprah Winfrey
Ethel Lee-Miller blogs regularly about people, the power of words, and the writing life. She’s retired from professional writing gigs after 30 years of teaching, coaching, editing, and gathering writers to publicly share their work. She is the author of Thinking of Miller Place, and Seedlings, Stories of Relationships. In retirement she writes to inspire, “meets” weekly with the Eastside Writing Room, writes to connect with folks, and for the pure enjoyment of it. Ethel enjoys sharing stories at Odyssey Storytelling, Zoom gatherings, and anywhere there’s a Zoom mic.
