So Much Happiness
Naomi Shihab Nye
It is difficult to know what to do with so much happiness.
With sadness there is something to rub against,
a wound to tend with lotion and cloth.
When the world falls in around you, you have pieces to pick up,
something to hold in your hands, like ticket stubs or change.
But happiness floats.
It doesn’t need you to hold it down.
It doesn’t need anything.
Happiness lands on the roof of the next house, singing,
and disappears when it wants to.
You are happy either way.
Even the fact that you once lived in a peaceful tree house
and now live over a quarry of noise and dust
cannot make you unhappy.
Everything has a life of its own,
it too could wake up filled with possibilities
of coffee cake and ripe peaches,
and love even the floor which needs to be swept,
the soiled linens and scratched records . . .
Since there is no place large enough
to contain so much happiness,
you shrug, you raise your hands, and it flows out of you
into everything you touch. You are not responsible.
You take no credit, as the night sky takes no credit
for the moon, but continues to hold it, and share it,
and in that way, be known.
This poem was shared in Intuitive Writing for Women and inspired Dusted Golden Embers.
Prompt
Happiness floats
Everything has a life of its own
It flows out of you into everything you touch
Grab a pen and paper or your favorite journal. Begin with one or more of the prompts. Repeat them throughout your writing, or use them as a place to start.
Set your timer. Write for 15 minutes, pen never leaving the page. See what words flow. If you are unsure where to begin, begin with "I don't know what to write" and repeat it until more words pour from the tip of your pen.
I would love to hear about your journey and experience with the prompts and process of flow writing. Hit *reply* to share or *click* and leave a comment.
Free Online Writing Workshops for Women
I am hosting two free writing opportunities for women to explore. You can read more about the details for each workshop below:
Grief Writing Workshop for Women: Thursday, September 14, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. PST.
Workshop details HERE and enroll HERE.
Intuitive Writing for Women: Sunday, September 17, 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. PST.
Workshop details HERE and enroll HERE.
I'm looking forward to facilitating these workshops again, and I hope you can join. You will love the healing and uplifting energy that transpires.