thursday, july 28, 2011

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‹› from sighs to laughter ‹›

the Budai was riding a flower through the Sky when he happened to glance down and noticed a young girl kicking at the dirt as she walked and sighing loudly enough to move the monks from meditation. he let go with a laugh so hearty that every particle of air around the girl vibrated with the sound, and she looked up, gasping. "oh, Budai! you are a sign from the Heavens" she said. "is happiness on it's way?"

"happiness is always on its way, diminutive dust maker" he replied. "and it will continue on its way if you don't  laugh with it, and invite it to stay." "perhaps" she sighed, "but i don't see it. i have nothing to make me happy."

"that is where you may be mistaken, little one whose sighs compete with the Winds" chortled Budai. "there is always sadness to be found should one look, but the same is true for happiness. what were you thinking when i called you to see me?" "i was thinking about how sad i am, and that nothing brings me happiness..."

"then maybe you should gather happiness from nothing" he laughed. "you see dear, you were looking for sadness... that which you think, that which you give your attention to, is what you shall receive. you thoughts are like the vibration of my laugh; they call and create that upon which they are focused. perhaps you believe that someone or some circumstance could make you happy?" "perhaps, yes." "there you may be mistaken as well" Budai whispered with a chuckle. "they may indeed bring a measure of happiness and pleasure, but it will be fleeting if you have not found the fountain of joy within yourself. everything you perceive holds the seed of both sadness and happiness.... begin with the simple joy that you are alive, that you have senses with which to appreciate that living. it is not wrong to feel sad at appropriate times, but even then, you can lift your head up and smile to the heavens because you can feel the rain that brings you and the flowers blessed water. turn your thoughts around, child, and change your sighs to laughter for no other reason than that you wish to look for and find happiness. it will begin to grow in your very essence, your very core, and you will be mightily amazed at how it may change your life. would you care to ride on the Flower of Life with me?"

"oh yes, very much" she called. "then throw your head back and laugh happily, my dear, and you can ride in the bosom of my joy!" vibrated the Budai as the young girl began to transform her life.

many blessing of happiness

saxz ∞