I know there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.

[Starr]

3rd Verse:
Putting a value on status will create contentiousness. If you overvalue possessions, people begin to steal. By not displaying what is desirable, you will cause the people's hearts to remain undisturbe.

The sage governs by emptying minds and hearts, by weakening ambitions and strengthening bones.

Practice not doing... When action is pure and selfless, everything settles into its own perfect place.

[Peni]

I personally don't care about status. Who cares what kind of car someone drives? The point of a car is to get you from Point A to Point B, and as long as my vehicle does that, that's all that matters.
Same goes with our little house. It may be a hovel compared to today's standards, but it's comfortablea nd it's paid for!

[Starr]

It's so true that thinking solely about, and putting undue emphasis on, possessions creates this feeling of without that causes another person to steal. Like that "thing" will fill that missing hole or gap in your life. Many of life's most precious things are so simple you can never really possess them, or should I ask why would you want to? You can bottle up the ocean but it would loose its beauty and become what it's not. Appreciate it all without the need to horde it away. That's what this says to me.

[Peni]

I so admire your eloquence, Starr! Wish I had your way with words!

[Starr]

Thanks, Peni!

I had another thought about this verse. It speaks to perspective as well. You can't go purchase happiness or find it in others, you must see it. It's about shifting your perspective and seeing the wonderful things life hands you while it's also serving up lemons. It reminds me of how Wayne Dyer says you access the field of intention. You must first see beauty and the world with an open mind. Because you'll see it when you believe it. So create your happiness inside yourself and you'll see it manifest outside of yourself.

[Peni]

YES! YES! YES! If only so many things didn't get in the way of us seeing this...it's so easy to get flustered and discouraged when "Life" happens.
"Happiness is the Way"...but sometimes how can you be happy when you're faced with illness or personal loss? Lose a job, a home, a loved one? If you CAN find the grace to keep positive in situations like that, others think you're nuts.

[Starr]

Did you read the "little book of letting go"? I connected with the one portion that discussed how people really think you're naive if you're "too happy." It's almost expected that you be down trodden or else you just aren't paying attention.

I was just talking with someone about how we all hold on to things we've been conditioned to believe are what we need. The "life that happens," this person said, could just be the universe telling you to wake up and pay attention. Even the loss of a loved one can bring new meaning if you choose to accept the situation for what is it and learn from it, rather than becoming "down trodden" or "run over" by it.

It's all a lot easier in theory, though, isn't it? ;)

[Peni]

I do think I read "little book"....my husband tells me, "just be happy!", but what if that isn't appropriate for a certain circumstance; "Honey, I found a lump in my breast! Isn't that exciting?!" doesn't tip gracefully off the tongue....how can you be happy with what life sometimes throws at you without seeming Pollyannish or naiive?

[Starr]

I've wondered that myself. Perhaps it means letting yourself feel the emotions that come with the bad news, but not letting those emotions control you? At the end of the day, I guess it makes sense that we decide whether today or the next day will be a good day. Someone once asked me whether stalking around or being unhappy really helps an already bad situation. And I guess if I look at it like that, it makes sense. Being aware of your emotions, giving them their space at the table without having them take over the whole house, means we're choosing to be aware and present to the world around us. In doing so, we have to learn to appreciate the good things and see the positive in the negative. Without pain, we wouldn't know pleasure. I just wish it was all easier! Then again, I'm sometimes viewed as a Pollyanna type! ;)

[Peni]

Ah! And who's to say if an emotion is 'good' or 'bad'? Just feel it; go through it. Those bad emotions are all part of the Tao too! Am I right?

[Starr]

I have a friend who does energy work and she is always saying there is no good or bad energy - only what you need to release. Says volumes, eh? :)

[Peni]

I myself am a Reiki Master and Wiccan. Even for me, that can be easy to forget.
Wish we'd get some other voices on this discussion, don't you, Starr?!

[Starr]

I agree, Peni. We have a lot of lurkers: people who read comments but don't respond or weigh in. Lurkers is actually an online marketing term....who knew.