Happiness Hint - Water the seeds of joy

Artwork by Kimberley Newland.
(Please do not use without permission & acknowledgement)

Just as soil holds seeds for both weeds and flowers, our mind holds seeds for both happiness and unhappiness, and just as whichever we water in the garden will grow, so whatever we water in our mind will grow.

We have the choice. We can water the seeds of happiness or the seeds of unhappiness. Every time we focus on the joy in our lives, we’re watering the seeds of joy, and every time we focus on our disappointment, anger, jealousy and so on, we are watering the seeds of misery. This is not just thinking positively, it’s actively focusing on what’s good in our lives, nurturing it at the same time as we starve of moisture anything that will create misery.

But watering the seeds of joy isn’t just focusing on the good either, it’s also making an effort to plant the seeds of happiness in our mind by developing the intention to be of benefit to others and to water them with acts of kindness and compassion.

Every time we allow ourselves to act out of anger, jealousy, arrogance, prejudice or greed we are watering the seeds of misery because the more that we act in any way, the more inclined we will be to act in that way again.  In the same way, the more we act out of love and compassion, the more likely we are to act that way again. And let’s face it, acting with love and compassion will make us happier than acting with any of the other options. Not only does it feel better to have love and compassion in our hearts, but also the effects it has on others is more likely to bring happiness into our lives. Basically, you get what you give.

What seeds are you watering?

About these ads