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Heartwings Love Notes 968 - What Makes You Happy?

Heartwings says, "Happiness originates within our hearts and cannot be acquired from outside it."

While I wrote poetry sporadically on and off for many years, I did not take it seriously until the death of my son Robin. When he passed on, I decided that because he loved poetry, as a kind of personal monument to his life I would dedicate my poetry writing to him. I began by determining to write a poem a day. However, I soon realized that that was unrealistic. Instead, I decided to look at life through poetic eyes.

What that meant to me to begin with was that I looked for meaning and/or beauty in what I saw. I looked for the life and the expression of what came into view as I was driving, for instance, or in what occurred in my life or the lives of others. Some poets write commentary or express their feelings through their words and phrasing. Others write not about their own feelings but about those of other people or perhaps about life circumstances. My poetry is descriptive of my life as I experience it.

Writing poetry makes me happy. I hadn't realized that until recently, and now I do. I feel glad to hone a poem, to come up with just the right word or phrase to say exactly what I hope to convey. My happiness is not about whether the poem is good or well said or even effective. It comes with a sense of joy that I feel when I am being creative. I have come to understand that while I can try my best to give happiness to others, all I can actually do is provide pleasure or comfort. Happiness may feel good, yet feeling good is not the same as feeling happy.

What makes a person happy is probably as various as the people themselves. Happiness is a feeling that originates within the heart. It is akin to joy, and like joy does not depend on circumstances or even the weather—though I confess that sunny days do make me feel happy, however, I am also fond of rainy and snowy days, so not exclusively. I cannot give myself or anyone else happiness, however I can focus on what makes my heart happy and ignore what does not.

May you find happiness every day even in some small way, and when you can, spread it around.

What makes your heart happy? I'd love it if you'd care to share. Your emails make my heart happy because I so enjoy communicating. Also, if any poets out there would like to join either a friendly zoom group that meets bi monthly to read and share poems, or the one that is email internet only, please let me know and I'll send you the link. Write to me at tashahal@mail.com or tashahal@aol.com.
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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