Living Happiness

flickr photo by: anjpanj

I spent my time at the gym today reading fashion magazines to make the minutes on the treadmill pass by a little faster. In addition to the usual doses of how to improve my skin, boost my sex life, close my pores, lose pounds in minutes, and reorganize the clutter of my life, I was pleased to note that there were at least two or three articles about slowing down, stopping and focusing on the “haves” in our lives, instead of what we “have not.” This is such a change from what these magazines were spouting 10 years ago that I was pleased to see it. But I couldn’t help but close the magazine and think, “Why can’t most of the magazine be about inner beauty instead of outer beauty?” Well … I guess because then it wouldn’t be a fashion/beauty magazine!

Pick one up, and you’re asking for it: the down and dirty on how your life doesn’t measure up, replete with “deals” for the budget-conscious that still leave me wondering, “Where the heck do these people shop?” But that’s not the point; the point is this:

I am writing today to tell you, my lovely readers, that you’re beautiful. I have no idea what most of your outsides look like. For most of you, I’ve only seen a head shot (at best) of who you are. I don’t know your height, your weight, how much you can bench press, or what your waist measurement is, but I do know the words of your hearts that I read everyday — in your blogs, in your comments — and they are beautiful.

Each one of you has your own gift that you share with the world: maybe it’s your imagination, maybe it’s your passion, maybe it’s your spirituality … or your humor … your optimism … your ability to take great pictures … or your ability to tell a great tale. These make you beautiful – especially because you are sharing this with the world. You’re sharing it with me!

Most of us go through life comparing ourselves to others and to various standards of beauty — all outside ourselves. As a result, most of us feel that we never measure up. In fact, this reminds me of one of my favorite demotivational posters:
I occasionally wonder this very thing about my own life, “Is this me? Am I someone’s cautionary tale?” Well … if I am, I’ve still done some good, I guess. Perhaps not in the way I had hoped but …

I just wanted to take the time today to honor all of you who are defining beauty from within. To me, all of you are beautiful. You have filled my world with richness, warmth and joy simply by your presence and encouragement every day. What beauty!

To all of you who have encouraged me and supported me–some of you from the very beginning, most of you in the last few weeks of this major transition (and mild depression) in my life–I thank you.

You’re beautiful!

Peace be with all of you,

By learning you will teach;
by teaching you will understand.
~Latin Proverb

A few days ago I wrote about writing with your heart instead of your head, and it seemed to resonate with several of you. I appreciated all of the lovely words and encouragement that came my way to assure me that this was the best thing to do and that you, for one, were enjoying my blog. Your words did a great deal to boost my spirits.

Over the past few days I have had my hands full trying to teach full-time, pack up a house, and prepare for a flight to the States on Thursday next week (one week from today). The last thing I have been able to do is sit down and write … from my head, from my heart, from anywhere.

I feel frazzled, anxious, and unsettled. Trying my darnedest to keep things in perspective, be in the moment, and not fret about a future that hasn’t happened yet. Easier said than done.

As a teacher, I have learned that learning is a dialogue between me and my students. Inasmuch as I instruct them, they instruct me. I do not have all the answers. Neither do they. But together we share more knowledge than when we are alone.

This is true in our everyday lives too. We all have something we can teach each other. We can all be each other’s students.

So today, I would like to offer you the opportunity to speak to me from your hearts. I would like to learn from you.

I look forward to hearing from all of you.