Many years ago, when my life seemed to take a radical and inexplicable turn, people would sometimes ask how I decided to make that happen. The truth is, I didn�t make anything happen except in the smallest ways. I didn�t decide to downsize, for instance, although it looked that way. I didn�t become a minimalist, although my needs diminished. I didn�t decide to pursue a spiritual path, I just put one foot in front of the other. I didn�t resist, reject, or refuse anything, I simply made different choices. They are the kind of choices we are presented with all the time.

Instead of more I chose less. Instead of that I chose this. Instead of later I chose now. And instead of me, well, I didn�t choose me.

If we are lucky, we are given a great deal of time on this earth, time enough to get a good look around. And eventually, after enough upheavals, disasters, and disappointments, we might realize the point of it all.

It�s not just to be kind, although that�s part of it. It�s not just to be tolerant or generous, although both of those will become easier. It�s not really about gratitude either, although you will be grateful for all the opportunities given to you.

We are here, together, now to serve one another. Let�s not make that complicated. It�s really simple, and a lot simpler than serving yourself. Serving yourself is an endless, exhausting, and futile endeavor. It perpetuates dissatisfaction. It multiplies desires. But serving others, helping others, and caring for others is a tiny, weightless thing. It�s instantly satisfying and gratifying. In other words, it�s good.

This is the secret to happiness. Let�s not keep it a secret.

Become the least grain of sand at the beach.

Photo by jim gade on Unsplash