The River Rush

I have heard people speak of the excitement of white water rafting; I have experienced the runner’s high and known the cold darkness of despair. Some things we gather by way of our senses and others through the filter of our past experience or what we perceive to be the way to happiness.

What I think is missing sometimes is that we fail to slow ourselves down enough to really hear the river rush or follow the trail that leads to true happiness. We are simply too busy moving at the speed of life that there does not seem a moment to comprehend the purpose of what we are trying to accomplish. Matthew Kelly suggests that we focus too much on ourselves and fail to “see the forest through he trees” if you will. What he recommends is opening ourselves to the happiness of others and leaving the rest to God to fulfill, namely the pursuit of happiness.

Christmas is an opportunity as much as a problem for many of us, especially those who are jobless, homeless or lacking some other means to securing happiness. We equate having a steady income or a warm place to sleep with the idea that happiness is something we earn rather than something that occurs as a result of giving ourselves up to the will of God. I can tell you from experience, there is nothing more joyful than seeing the look in a child’s eyes and smile when you recognize them for the special person that they are and in turn see them offer themselves freely to help someone else. Now that is some powerful stuff!

For me, those moments of joy come when I go freely into the wilderness and sit quietly or walk amongst God’s creation. Even so, it adds more when I can share it with someone else who may not take the time to do so often enough. More than not I hear about sore feet or aching legs, but the more you go there, the less it seems a burden. So remember to listen to the sounds all around you and let God take you to that place where happiness awaits. Take care and God bless!