The Zen of Everything™, Day 17: Maybe we should put a price on happiness
I live in a neighborhood set smack dab between the rich and the not-so-rich, my building equidistant from their respective grocery stores.
Both stores are clean, new and well-stocked. There’s only one real difference: the prices are better at the poor grocery store…and everything else is better at the rich grocery store. Basically, you pay a premium for things to be a little prettier and—yes—for people to be a little friendlier.
Don’t get me wrong: there are friendly people at the poor grocery store—there just aren’t as many. Maybe they hire happier people at the rich grocery store. Or maybe they pay them more, so they’re happier. Or maybe it’s just part of the job description.
That’s not the point of today’s lesson. Because unless they’re poking them with sticks at the rich grocery store, or doing something equally despicable to make them smile, all I know is all things being equal, and especially when they’re not so equal—when I’m feeling a little ill or low or pressed for time—I’d rather go to the rich grocery store. Partly because they’re nice to me, but also because being around them makes it easier for me to be nice.
Which got me to thinking: instead of it being selfish of me to say “no” or set terms that work for me or charge enough to keep myself from worry, could it be that I’m just enabling myself to be a better conveyor of happiness?
Lesson #18: Do what you can to keep yourself a strong link in the chain.
xxx
c
Image by Terry Bain, author of You Are a Dog, &c., via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license.
TOPICS: 21 day salutes, zen of everything.
5 Comments, Comment or Ping
Terry Bain
Enjoy the use of the photo. Blessings.
Terry
May 31st, 2007
annmarie
Hi Colleen,
I am so glad I found your site, and i check it every day. I love your photos and insights and your writing. It often even makes my day. (Like when my computer was giving me panic, and you had the picture of Yoda up; that plus your words, and everything flowed smoothly from there on.)
BTW, when I signed up for your newsletter I accidentally checked the box that the question about cheese was too stupid to answer, and then I couldn’t undo it. Well, that’s been kind of bothering me. And that should tell you all you need to know about me : )
May 31st, 2007
Adam Kayce : Monk At Work
In the spiritual path I follow (kinda… long story), there is a saying: “States steal from states.” Meaning greatly simplified: if you’re in a bad mood, and someone else is in a good mood, the one who is more strongly rooted in their state will draw the other person towards them.
That’s why sometimes the littlest thing can rock you out of your good space, or nothing does; it all depends on how solidly you are in it. :-)
May 31st, 2007
communicatrix
Terry - thank you!
annmarie - thanks so many nice words! and esp. for explaining the cheese thing. I try not to, but those sorts of things do get to me, so I appreciate you speaking up.
Adam - I don’t know about your spiritual path, but I have found that states/states thing to be mainly true for me. At least, since I’ve started paying attention to it!
Jun 1st, 2007