Comments on: The Bluebird of Happiness

By: Daddo

Daddo — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 21:41:27 +0000

What a great post, Liz! I know that native American people often receive “signs” from many things in nature. Is there a chance that you have a native American “connection” that could account for the spiritual enrichment you receive when you are in close contact with Mother Nature?

I have not yet found an animal in nature that serves as my touchstone for spiritual guideance. I did discover, however, that “I” am the sought-after symbol pursued by many of Mother Nature’s airborne creatures. Mosquitoes, gnats, wasps, yellow jackets, hornets and their ilk are drawn to me in incredible numbers. I give them all what guideance I can (usually with a fly-swatter or bug spray). On one occassion I even used a vacuum cleaner to help me provide the necessary “direction” for some ground-nesting yellow jackets!

Stay close with nature; and may every one of your days include a bluebird of happiness that you so richly deserve! Lots of Love,

Daddo

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:47:01 +0000

I have been having an on going relationship with scorpions for the past 18 months. I wish if I was going to have a power animal it would be something a little less freaky. And Ted Andrews is mum on their meaning.

I like where you wrote about the blue bird and finding happiness where you are at. That is an important lesson for me as well.

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 23:10:57 +0000

Thanks for stopping by, BigLittleWolf. Butterflies are an especially powerful symbol; a sort of medium between this world and the spirit world. There is LOTS written on butterflies in Ted Andrews’ great book. In “The Gift of an Ordinary Day,” Katrina Kennison writes a beautiful scene about her car literally being swarmed by butterflies after coming out an especially difficult period of her life (think of all the imagery regarding the “cocoon” and “rebirth” that butterflies present to us). And Big Little Wolf? Have you ever done any reading on wolves? Another really powerful animal!

By: BigLittleWolf

BigLittleWolf — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:55:29 +0000

I’m so glad you stopped by Kristen’s today, because I’ve been meaning to come by and read you, but life (in pencil, and outside the lines) gets so hectic. . .

Your mention of “spirit animals” was fascinating to me. I have always loved dogs and cats, but had dogs. Strangely, however, I am one of those people to whom butterflies appear at odd moments, and they light on me – on my shoulder, on a knee.

I have the good fortune to live in a location where there is a bit of woodsy wildlife outside, though I am in a city. And your writing made me realize that on numerous occasions, butterflies have appeared (seemingly) out of nowhere, only to grace me with the pleasure of their presence. They remain if I am still, flutter their wings for several seconds or rest, and then flit along elsewhere.

I’ve lived a good deal of life, and this has only occurred in the past 5 years, which is ironic considering all the other (less than lighthearted) events during this time.

I love this post. I’m going to give it more thought. (And the image of the well-used impeccably sharpened pencil on the right fills me with a childlike happiness. Project, or no project.)

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:29:41 +0000

Kristen, I’m the same as you: either melancholy with a bent towards happiness or happy with a bent towards melancholy. I’ve always found myself appreciating the darker side of life. I think you’d really enjoy that article from the NYT that I provided the link to at the bottom of the post. And yes, look up that deer!

By: Kristen @ Motherese

Kristen @ Motherese — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:29:35 +0000

As you know, I am a bit skeptical of the recent happiness movement, but I suppose I could always benefit from some sprucing up in the happiness department. (Naturally, I am either temperamentally melancholy with a bent toward happiness or temperamentally happy with a bent toward melancholy.)

In addition to the woodpecker (a totem I shamelessly stole from Anne Lamott), the deer is the animal that seems to appear to me most often. (Maybe that has something to do with living on a wooded lot in an otherwise treeless suburban development…) I’ll have to see what Ted Andrews says about the deer.

By: Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist

Rebecca @ Diary of a Virgin Novelist — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:25:19 +0000

How awesome that you found a book that resonated so much with you. That is why I love reading so much. It gives me so many – often unexpected – gifts.

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:49:27 +0000

Yes, althought it might seem random that creatures of nature make appearances in our lives, I like to think of them as omens. Essentially anything – a chattering squirrel, a bright green yard snake, a toad eating june bugs, a long-eared rabbit – makes me pause, reflect and find peace in that moment of time.

In my quest to enrich the happiness in my blessed life, I also subscribe to the bloom where you are planted theory. Even though I may be faced with a trial, I will certainly grow from the experience and need not allow it to chase away my serenity and joy.

Thanks for sharing your bluebird of happiness today!

By: anne

anne — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 14:09:23 +0000

Okay, so I FINALLY downloaded the unabridged “happiness project” to my iPod. For whatever reason, I stick with non-riction better when I listen instead of read. I’m excited to get going with it! Like Emily, I’m a happy person…but I love the idea of enhancing that contentment.

By: Emily

Emily — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 13:15:59 +0000

I always think about Zippity Doo-Da Zippity Day (there’s a blue bird on my shoulder) — another happy reference. I think I am going to pick up the Happiness Project because I too am realtively happy but am always just shy of complete. And I can’t figure it out. Sometimes I think I just need to get older and find peace with everything and sometimes I think thisis the way we are supposed to be. There is something inherently wrong with “working” to be happy. IMHO. Thanks for the review!