The Art of Happiness

Two weeks ago I attended a Public Teaching in Louisville by His Holiness The Dalai Lama with my daughters, Jenn and Liz and my niece Rudy.  It was a wonderful experience that led to us actually being introduced to The Dalai Lama and shaking his hand.

As I reminisced with Rudy as to the many events that led up to each of us personally meeting His Holiness, the memories that flooded my mind were so amazing.

Four years ago when we moved to Tennessee, my daughter Liz mentioned that she was reading The Art of Happiness by the Dalai Lama.  She asked me if I had ever read the book which surprisingly, I had not and didn't think too much about it again.

Ten years ago we moved to Florida and I met Pat, a beautiful woman who became  my best friend.  We joked often that we really were sisters and had been separated at birth (although her Dad would not admit it).  Pat has a beautiful family, and her son, Jim, just so happened to be head of security for the Dalai Lama's visit to the US.

30+ years ago- We Were blessed with the birth of our daughter, Liz.   So this year as I was trying to decide what to give her for her birthday, I discovered the the Dalai Lama's visit was going to be May 20th. Remembering that she had once spoke of his book,  I quickly purchased 2 tickets, and with encouragement from Jenn and Rudy, purchased 2 more.  Then I downloaded The Art of Happiness to my Kindle.

40+ years ago I met Jim, who must have been a rambling cowboy in his last life.  He always wants to see what is around the next corner, over the next mountain, and in the next state.  So it was Jim that moved us to Michigan, then back to Indiana and from there we "retired" to Florida.  Since then we have lived in Tennessee, North Carolina and now Kentucky.  But each of those states have netted us wonderful friends whose friendship we cherish.  So Jim, in a conversation with Pat's husband Rich, mentions that we are going to see the Dalai Lama, Rich fills him in on his son's duties with the State Department, and before you know it my Jim has quietly made arrangements for the once in a life time meeting.

So here I stand, all these years, later, with 3 people that I love and cherish, posing with the Dalai Lama.  I am still reading The Art of Happiness and trying to practice it in my daily life.  But I know that some where along the line the Art of Happiness has found me.