“All truth passes through three stages.
First, it is ridiculed.
Second, it is violently opposed.
Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.”
– Arthur Schopenhauer
Have you noticed how the good spirits of happy people affects others. You can actually observe the anxious and overly stressed visibly thaw in the presence of those with joy in their hearts.
One insight that is necessary in understanding the nature of joy: It is contagious. And it not only spreads, but changes people who come in contact with it. If you garnish life with happiness, if you bring your joy to work you, the glow of your being truly touches others.
And what Is Joy? It is a powerful force in human nature. More powerful than you can ever imagine. It literally draws us toward the highest purpose of our existence, and becomes the most complete expression of our love.
I enjoy the writings of and listening to His Holiness, The Dalai Lama [click here for link] (meaning “Ocean of Wisdom”). And in a favorite quote of mine he states, “I believe that the very purpose of our life is to seek happiness.” So let us explore the deeper meanings of our lives and seek the guidance of those, like the Dalai Lama, who can help.
The Art and Science of Joy
Becoming successful in our search for happiness is not just pleasant – it is essential. It is required for life to exist. Without joy, our motivation to continue with our lives is absent.
And there are countless millions who made a decision not to exist without it. They were left with no hope of ever rediscovering the most essential ingredient in the formula of life. They were never told that joy and love were the same – that happiness creates a love of life and a reason for living.
No, it is not money or success and accomplishment that truly matters. The search for true happiness has far more value than these. It has a higher purpose. Joy naturally flows and branches out like a mighty river, when we generously share everything we possess and the happiness we have known. And all those things we think we possess, we can covet for a very brief time on this earth. We cannot really own anything. We are merely the very temporary custodian of things.
In our voyage of discovery I believe we need to look to poetry, which is at its essence, philosophy, crafted and adorned with a love of beautiful expression. I recommend you read the works of the great poets and prophets of happiness. And start with Kahlil Gibran [click here to link]. You will love the majesty and beauty of the language with which he clothed his beautiful thoughts and remarkable insights.
In “The Prophet”, he unveils an essential truth of life and living: “Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? Joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.”
Gibran’s deep and abiding insights can help to bring about a clearer understanding of the nature of being, and the nature of being human.
He states, “When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy. When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.”
Kahlil is telling us we have much to be thankful for – even the sorrow that brings us pain, which is the mirror of all the joy we have been so blessed with. And he reminds us of so many other things that we typically do not reflect upon. But these can, once again, become pathways to happiness:
“And in the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed. And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
Another fountain of joyful knowledge you can find in the writings of Cat Thompson, who writes regularly for Experience Life. You can learn more about her work at http://www.emotionaltechnologies.com. She reminds us that we too carry mysterious worlds deep within our subconscious and can commit to personal joy as a life process.
In so doing she recommends that we forget about money. In any decision-making process involving money, take money out of the picture and see if your decision would be the same. The path toward material wealth is one of the most time-consuming, joy detours imaginable.
She knows that joyful people want everyone to be joyful. And that may be the biggest reason of all for us to commit to our own happiness – because we affect everyone around us. Joy is so contagious.
Missy spends the day at school
TRIP PLANNED FOR FRIDAY
We will meet at 9:30 a.m. at Half-Price Books, located at 475 Sherry Lane, north of Ridgmar Mall –Telephone: 817-732-4111. At approximately 10:45 a.m. we will travel to the FOOD COURT in the Ridgmar Mall to enjoy lunch. Following (burp) lunch we will walk to the RAVE 13 THEATER, located in the Mall at 2300 Green Oaks Road, telephone (817) 566-0025, to enjoy the highly acclaimed new movie Captain Phillips, rated PG13 Younger students may view another film to be selected with the blessing of Mrs. A. PICK UP will be at the Rave Theater at 2:30 p.m.
Kylee finds a keeper at Fossilmania
Plot & Details:
‘Captain Phillips’ is a multi-layered examination of the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. It is through director Paul Greengrass’s distinctive lens – simultaneously a pulse-pounding thriller, and a complex portrait of the myriad effects of globalization. The film focuses on the relationship between the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips (two time Academy Award-winner Tom Hanks), and the Somali pirate captain, Muse (Barkhad Abdi), who takes him hostage. Phillips and Muse are set on an unstoppable collision course when Muse and his crew target Phillips’ unarmed ship; in the ensuing standoff, 145 miles off the Somali coast, both men will find themselves at the mercy of forces beyond their control.
Rylee studies the fossil record. She found Dr. A on page 3.
MPAA Rating: PG-13, Genre: Drama, Run Time: 134 min., Director(s): Paul Greengrass, Starring: Tom Hanks , Max Martini , Catherine Keener , Michael Chernus , Corey Johnson, Themes: Daring Rescues,Hostage Situations, Pirates, Hijackings, Tone:Claustrophobic,Menacing,Tense, Atmospheric, Forceful, Intimate,
The starting time may change, please be patient. Dr. A may become anxious but popcorn always helps.
Our new wild turkey enjoys company
Emergency Telephone 682-777-1908
If you arrive late, we shall have departed with your child(ren) and will return to school. Please call and let us know if you will be late.
Students are NOT to leave the bookstore, food court or theater without the approval of Dr. A (wake him gently with the smell of warm popcorn if necessary) or Mrs. Anderson.
Everyone enjoyed shopping at the Fossil Show
FINANCIAL: We have been told Tickets are $5.00 but this may be incorrect – please pay at the Box Office Please provide funds for a good book and funds for lunch.
Refreshments: Yes!
Uniform pants with a belt & red monogrammed school shirts are required.PARENTS / FRIENDS / NEIGHBORS, are invited to participate on our trips.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Nov. 25-29 Thanksgiving/Fall Break
Dec. 5-6 Texas Assn. for Gifted & Talented Conf. (No school)
Dec. 20 Last Day of Fall Semester
Dec. 23 – Jan. 7 Winter Break Holidays
Jan. 24 Fort Worth Stock Show
A. n . d . e . r . s . o . n
Where precocious children are nurtured, appreciated
& eat a lot of popcorn!
William's Weblog - Anderson Private School for the Gifted, Talented and Creative 