From Ordinary to Extraordinary January 11, 2011
Posted by nrhatch in Gratitude, Happiness, Mindfulness.trackback
Neale Donald Walsch, author of Conversations with God, wrote a manual for life entitled Happier than God.
Intrigued, I purchased a copy. Here’s a brief overview:
The purpose of life is . . . happiness.
We are here to be happy. When we are happy, God is happy because WE are part of God. God exists in each of us as Spirit. When we are happier, God is happier.
That is why we are here ~ to increase God’s happiness.
We have been given all the tools that we need ~ all the Joy, Peace, and Happiness we need is inside us. We need to let it out, to unleash it on the world. And it is so easy and simple to do.
God is Energy. We are Energy. We are ALL connected. God is within each of us. God is the Collective Conscious, the Universe, the Still Silent Voice within. God is the Higher Power, the Inner Spirit, and every one of us can tap into that power whenever we want.
And that is the purpose of life ~ to tap into God’s power and increase God’s happiness by increasing the World’s happiness.
We tap into that power by the thoughts we create moment by moment.
Our thoughts are energy ~ either positive or negative. The thoughts that we think dictate how we feel from moment to moment. When we choose to be happy, when we allow ourselves to feel good, we create and broadcast positive energy.
Our happiness creates positive feelings and thoughts in others!
It is an upward spiral. And it is infinite.
We are Spiritual beings with an unlimited potential for happiness. And it is God’s greatest desire that we access that potential right here, right now!
Why aren’t we happier?
* We feel guilty about being “happy” when the world is full of suffering. We feel “selfish” for wanting more happiness, when others have so little.
* We feel unworthy and refuse to let our spirits shine.
* Our Ego gets in the way, by reminding us of past hurts and future fears.
When we change the way we view the world, we realize that we should only feel guilty if we are not as happy as we can possibly be in any given moment.
If we give ourselves permission to be happy, we will increase the positive energy and happiness in the world.
And when the world is happier, full of positive energy, we will begin to solve the problems that “plague” us.
Big problems like Global Warming, Hunger, Poverty, and other Inequities.
Quote: What if seekers need only ask: How well do I love?
No rules. Just write!
Related posts: Cultivating Happiness . . . not Hedonism * Dalai Lama: Inner Peace & Happiness * Generosity of Spirit * Good Vibrations * Finding Happiness (Think Simple Now)
As long as we stay in touch with God, God is happy. It’s important for me, anyway, to delineate a difference between happiness and joy. I see joy as something that need never leave us, whereas happines can come and go. To me, joy comes from knowing that life has ups and downs, happy times and sad times, but those times can do nothing to take away the joy – the celebration of life. Unless of course we allow them to. It’s a good post, Nancy. Thanks you!
Doubtless we could have another one of our “semantical” discussions, but I think that when all is said and done, we will both end up on the same side, choosing joy as the best way to live!
BTW, be sure to participate in my “contest.” 😀
Different words. Same thing.
As I’ve said before:
When the Dalai Lama advocates happiness as the goal behind all goals, he is speaking of inner happiness, peace, contentment, and serenity. He is not advocating the pursuit of hedonistic pleasures.
Happiness for external reasons (especially hedonistic pleasures) can always be taken away. It is happiness [or joy] for “no reason” that we want to cultivate.
We rarely find lasting happiness by being selfish narcissists.
I am a fan of Neale Donald Walsch and having read his book, I can safely attest the pureness of where he’s coming from.
Thanks for the wonderful treat, Nancy.
-BrownEyed
Glad you enjoyed.
I just pulled it off my shelf to re-read. It’s been awhile.
I battled to read Conversations … maybe I’ll give it another bash.
My recollection is that I didn’t care for Conversations much either . . . but it’s a vague recollection. I couldn’t say why.
This: When we change the way we view the world, we realize that we should only feel guilty if we are not as happy as we can possibly be in any given moment.
is a life-changing sentence. Thank you so much for sharing it!
You’re welcome, Julie. I feel the same way. It not only gives us “permission” to be happy, it encourages us to follow our bliss.