From an eternal source
The spring fed waters of joy
Flow into the spaces of our hearts
Filling every corner of our being.
We cannot see the source from whence they come.
Some of us have tried to dam up the spring.
The pain of the drying of the lake
Forces us to wonder
And cry
Ache
And then
Just as we think
The water of joy has gone
We move the rock of sorrow
We have placed on the top of the source.
The water is not gone.
It never leaves.
It only ebbs.
And flows.
The pool can be filled
The depth we open ourselves
The work of opening up the pool
We choose every day
Every moment
Every hour
Happiness
Is the shimmering
Life giving flow of joy
Seen as the top of the pool
As the pool grows
Other souls needing its water
Are drawn to its life-giving beauty
But they cannot steal the joy
Delving their cups into our pond
They seek to take what is not theirs to own.
The water in their cup becomes stale
And they grow bitter from thirst
Their own soul is withering
They do not understand
There is no other way
No other source of happiness
But to open ourselves and let joy flow
Our happiness can spill over into the desert
Creating life giving flows for all those around
If only they will open themselves to the Divine
Not through stolen moments held in cups
That turn stale with the passing days
Others swimming in our pond
Enjoying our happiness
Is only for a moment
Opening their own hearts
They can move the stones of sorrow
In their own ponds
This is the secret
So long ignored by those
Who have made a practice
Of seeking out the joy
In places outside
Themselves
Open your heart
Feel the flow of joy unending
Experience life in its abundance
Tend your beautiful pond of radiant happiness
Until it becomes an ocean of life unified with all creation
annacrewscamphouse 