lara simmons

"If you want to be happy, be."   -- Leo Tolstoy

"For Socrates...happiness...does not depend on external circumstances or material resources, but on one's capacity to know what is good and true and to act accordingly. The philosopher's task is to lead the mind through its habitual patterns of deluded thinking to this life-altering knowledge. Having accomplished this for himself, he then becomes a compassionate 'gadfly' for others, pestering them to break through their false and limiting preconceptions so that they, too, can discover the ultimate happiness of the human soul." -- Noelle Oxenhandler

"To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."   --Bertrand Russell Today I am pleased to announce that beginning Monday, March 21st I will be leading another month-long spiritual challenge . This one on ABSTINENCE (I know, FUN, right?). By abstinence I don't mean twenty-eight days without sex (unless that is the particular monkey that is on your back right now), by abstinence I mean taking time off from anything - a food, a habit, or a behavior - that may be in some way detrimental to your health or well being. Over the course of twenty-eight days I will be sharing daily inspiration as well as my own struggles and successes with abstinence. At one time or another I have given up French fries, soda, talking, coffee (notice I didn't say caffeine because I cannot bear to think about giving up dark chocolate), alcohol, and meat. Each experience of abstinence included both challenges and gifts. I will share these with yo...

Anna: "If you'd the chance to see the private rooms of the King and Queen would you give six bits for that?" Bates: "But what would it tell me? They sleep in a bed? They eat at a table? So do I." I love this quote from Sunday's episode of Downton Abbey  for its quiet profundity.  If you don't watch the show it may not make much sense so here's the gist: The aristocratic Crawley Family decided to open up their home (Downton Abbey) to the locals for six bits each in order to raise money for the local hospital. The household staff were in disagreement about whether or not this was a good idea and were discussing it during a break between household duties. Mr. Bates was neither in favor or opposed, merely puzzled as to why anyone would want to take a tour and thus ensued the above conversation with his wife, Anna.  Bates has always been a realist, comfortable with his position, never aspiring to a heightened position or lamenting his fate a...

While sitting for hours - HOURS - in meditation during my most-recent Vipassana retreat, I remembered something I read recently in Malcolm Gladwell's book, " blink " - that our bodies don't know the difference between a fake smile and a real smile. That when we smile, certain chemicals are released, certain reactions take place, in our body that make us feel good and our body does the same things when we fake a smile. While observing my breath for what seemed like the 40th hour in a row, I decided to give it a try and - low and behold -  it works!  When I started to smile, my mind calmed down, my body relaxed and I could turn my attention to my meditation once again, instead of focusing on the pain, discomfort and sometimes overwhelming boredom I felt. Smiling, even when I was faking it, really did help.

"ENJOY, do not attach. SUFFER, do not attach. Be happy." --The Universe, at last year's retreat

"My happiness grows in direct proportion (to) my acceptance and in inverse proportion to my expectations.” -- Michael J. Fox

"Ricard's Buddhist notion of happiness is better described as 'well-being' or better yet: 'a deep sense of serenity and fulfillment, a state that pervades and underlies all emotional states, including all the joys and sorrow that can come one's way.' It isn't to be confused with pleasure, not even hours of it." --From "Stories for Boys" by Gregory Martin This is the third in a series of photographs I took on our recent family vacation to Maui. First came PEACE; then LOVE; so now, of course, HAPPINESS. This quote is from one of the books I read while on vacation and I loved this Buddhist idea of happiness. It seems somehow less daunting, more achievable, and less rooted in factors often outside of our control such as the weather or our income or relationship status. A deep sense of serenity and fulfillment. A state that pervades and underlies all emotional states that can come ones way. Bring it on!

"People want you to be happy. Don't keep serving them your pain." --Rumi

"The less there was of me, the happier I got." -- Leonard Cohen , speaking about his music career, as quoted in Unconditional Confidence by Pema Chodron

"The formula for happiness is not the same for everyone, but the good news is the things we love are the building blocks of happiness. Play. Having new experiences. Friends and family. Doing things we love. Appreciating what we have. These are the things that make us happy - and they're free. And with happiness, the more you have, the more everyone has." --From the movie " happy "