A Focus on Happiness

We are flooded with information 24/7. Our phones, computers, social networks, TV, news services, talk shows, billboards and on and on. ... What is the purpose of this information, what is the purpose in all that we know? Is it to help us live a richer, fuller life in harmony with our world and all who live here or is it simply noise distracting us from looking deeper and asking the questions that truly matter? What is the Purpose in All That We Know If we do not dance with the dawn, if we do not hear the music of light and our wings do not lift us high above the rooftops of worry then what is the purpose in all that we know? If we do not know how to heal ourselves, if we do not know how to heal the earth and leave it a better place for the generations that follow then what is the purpose in all that we know? If we do not bring light where there is darkness, if we do not bring joy where there is sorrow and we do not see ourselves in each other then what is the purpose in all that we know? www.afocusonhappiness.com

We are flooded with information 24/7. Our phones, computers, social networks, TV, news services, talk shows, billboards and on and on. ... What is the purpose of this information, what is the purpose in all that we know? Is it to help us live a richer, fuller life in harmony with our world and all who live here or is it simply noise distracting us from looking deeper and asking the questions that truly matter? What is the Purpose in All That We Know If we do not dance with the dawn, if we do not hear the music of light and our wings do not lift us high above the rooftops of worry then what is the purpose in all that we know? If we do not know how to heal ourselves, if we do not know how to heal the earth and leave it a better place for the generations that follow then what is the purpose in all that we know? If we do not bring light where there is darkness, if we do not bring joy where there is sorrow and we do not see ourselves in each other then what is the purpose in all that we know? www.afocusonhappiness.com

The Buddha Under the Banyan Tree Turn your attention to the Buddha under the banyan tree.... Like the Buddha see a great thirst that reaches far and wide. Turn your attention to that thirst which sustains all this reaching. Ask yourself this: What would quench this thirst that is like a root reaching deep into the earth for water? From Blue Heron Mudra Poems of Self Inquiry Many of us spend much of our lives seeking more. Nothing seems to satisfy this thirst for more. Every moment of every day we have an opportunity to realize that what we have is enough and when our seeking for more ceases there is a peace that settles deep within our mind and heart, a sense of contentment. We celebrate Contentment at the time of the Celtic Festival of Lammas. It is now high summer and the union of Sun and Earth, of God and Goddess, has produced the First Harvest. Lammas is the celebration of this first, Grain Harvest, a time for knowing that all is well. In this free 90 minute online workshop Tuesday, August 3rd at 2PM PST we will discuss what we mean by contentment in life and how we might awaken this awareness within us. For more info visit: www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

The Blessing of Light We celebrate The Blessing of Light at the time of the Summer Solstice, the Celtic Festival of Midsummer or Litha, when the sun is at it’s zenith. The days grow shorter from here so we also begin to consider the preparations to make and how we find our way when we encounter times of darkness. ... In this free 90 minute online workshop Monday, June 21st, 2021 at 2PM PST we will look at how Midsummer or Litha is traditionally celebrated and the role that Light has in our lives. To register for the workshop: Go to my Contact page and complete the form ( Please include the name & date of the workshop under How Can I Help). www.afocusonhappiness.com/contact Once I receive the completed form I will email you a Zoom meeting link.

The Buddha Under the Banyan Tree Turn your attention to the Buddha under the banyan tree.... Like the Buddha see a great thirst that reaches far and wide. Turn your attention to that thirst which sustains all this reaching. Ask yourself this: What would quench this thirst that is like a root reaching deep into the earth for water? From Blue Heron Mudra Poems of Self Inquiry Many of us spend much of our lives seeking more. Nothing seems to satisfy this thirst for more. Every moment of every day we have an opportunity to realize that what we have is enough and when our seeking for more ceases there is a peace that settles deep within our mind and heart, a sense of contentment. We celebrate Contentment at the time of the Celtic Festival of Lammas. It is now high summer and the union of Sun and Earth, of God and Goddess, has produced the First Harvest. Lammas is the celebration of this first, Grain Harvest, a time for knowing that all is well. In this free 90 minute online workshop Tuesday, August 3rd at 2PM PST we will discuss what we mean by contentment in life and how we might awaken this awareness within us. For more info visit: www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

The Blessing of Light We celebrate The Blessing of Light at the time of the Summer Solstice, the Celtic Festival of Midsummer or Litha, when the sun is at it’s zenith. The days grow shorter from here so we also begin to consider the preparations to make and how we find our way when we encounter times of darkness. ... In this free 90 minute online workshop Monday, June 21st, 2021 at 2PM PST we will look at how Midsummer or Litha is traditionally celebrated and the role that Light has in our lives. To register for the workshop: Go to my Contact page and complete the form ( Please include the name & date of the workshop under How Can I Help). www.afocusonhappiness.com/contact Once I receive the completed form I will email you a Zoom meeting link.

The Gypsies of Your Heart Are Calling You The gypsies of your heart are calling you, calling you to wake ... from your slumber. Listen to the drum. Listen to the oud and flute calling you, calling you to wake from your slumber. The gypsies of your heart are calling you, calling you to sing and dance in the meadow. Listen to the drum. Listen to the oud and flute calling you, calling you to sing and dance in the meadow. Barry Hunt Celebrate with me The Blessing of Wonder as we welcome the Celtic festival of Beltane on Saturday, May 1st at 2PM PST. To register for this free 90 minute online webinar visit www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

The Gypsies of Your Heart Are Calling You The gypsies of your heart are calling you, calling you to wake ... from your slumber. Listen to the drum. Listen to the oud and flute calling you, calling you to wake from your slumber. The gypsies of your heart are calling you, calling you to sing and dance in the meadow. Listen to the drum. Listen to the oud and flute calling you, calling you to sing and dance in the meadow. Barry Hunt Celebrate with me The Blessing of Wonder as we welcome the Celtic festival of Beltane on Saturday, May 1st at 2PM PST. To register for this free 90 minute online webinar visit www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

Celebrating Beltane and the Blessing of Wonder We celebrate Wonder at the time of the Celtic Festival of Beltane when the Earth energies are strongest and most active. All of life is bursting with potent fertility. This is how children see the world - a place of Wonder. Many spiritual practices talk about seeing the world through the eyes of a child.... In this free 60 minute online workshop Saturday, May 1st, 2021 at 2PM PST we will look at how Beltane is traditionally celebrated and the relevance it has for us in our lives today. We will look at we can learn from children about seeing the world as a place of awe and wonder and we will learn 7 ways to culture this sense in our lives. To register for the workshop: Go to my Contact page and complete the form ( Please include the name & date of the workshop under How Can I Help). www.afocusonhappiness.com/contact Once I receive the completed form I will email you a Zoom meeting link.

Celebrating Beltane and the Blessing of Wonder We celebrate Wonder at the time of the Celtic Festival of Beltane when the Earth energies are strongest and most active. All of life is bursting with potent fertility. This is how children see the world - a place of Wonder. Many spiritual practices talk about seeing the world through the eyes of a child.... In this free 60 minute online workshop Saturday, May 1st, 2021 at 2PM PST we will look at how Beltane is traditionally celebrated and the relevance it has for us in our lives today. We will look at we can learn from children about seeing the world as a place of awe and wonder and we will learn 7 ways to culture this sense in our lives. To register for the workshop: Go to my Contact page and complete the form ( Please include the name & date of the workshop under How Can I Help). www.afocusonhappiness.com/contact Once I receive the completed form I will email you a Zoom meeting link.

With the first petals of Spring opening before us we are reminded of Mother Earth's commitment to us. She provides the air we breathe. She provides the food we eat and the water we drink. She provides the beauty we see all around us. With the first petals of Spring we are also reminded of our commitment to her. We are reminded to care for the air, land and water. We are reminded to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings she has provided. When we look at Nature at th...is time of year we see all matter of life emerging, revealing all that it can be, singing a song for the world to hear. Let us join our voice with the chorus of voices to celebrate the arrival of Spring! Join me via Zoom on Sunday, March 21st at 2PM PST To register for this FREE online event go to: www.afocusonhappiness.com/contact I Went to the Woods in Spring I went to the woods in spring to see the new buds at the tips of branches, the new buds in their pink and green ballet slippers eager to dance the dance of spring. I went to the woods in spring to feel the sap flowing from deep within me to the tips of my branches and to join my voice with the chorus of voices singing the song of renewal. Barry Hunt www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

Why do we think of Love in Spring? Is there something stirring in the air, stirring in our blood? Is this another way we are connected to Nature and the rhythms of Mother Earth? The Origin of Love This longing for the two to be one... is the origin of love. Look around you. is not this longing in everything you see? Why else would this wisteria wind ever upwards to your window? Barry Hunt www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

With the first petals of Spring opening before us we are reminded of Mother Earth's commitment to us. She provides the air we breathe. She provides the food we eat and the water we drink. She provides the beauty we see all around us. With the first petals of Spring we are also reminded of our commitment to her. We are reminded to care for the air, land and water. We are reminded to celebrate and give thanks for all the blessings she has provided. When we look at Nature at th...is time of year we see all matter of life emerging, revealing all that it can be, singing a song for the world to hear. Let us join our voice with the chorus of voices to celebrate the arrival of Spring! Join me via Zoom on Sunday, March 21st at 2PM PST To register for this FREE online event go to: www.afocusonhappiness.com/contact I Went to the Woods in Spring I went to the woods in spring to see the new buds at the tips of branches, the new buds in their pink and green ballet slippers eager to dance the dance of spring. I went to the woods in spring to feel the sap flowing from deep within me to the tips of my branches and to join my voice with the chorus of voices singing the song of renewal. Barry Hunt www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

Why do we think of Love in Spring? Is there something stirring in the air, stirring in our blood? Is this another way we are connected to Nature and the rhythms of Mother Earth? The Origin of Love This longing for the two to be one... is the origin of love. Look around you. is not this longing in everything you see? Why else would this wisteria wind ever upwards to your window? Barry Hunt www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

There are Mysteries Waiting to be Unveiled This is what the scriptures and the ancient stories foretell. There is always a challenge... of our conviction, to see if we are ready, to see if we are truly worthy. The challenge may take many forms. It may be a barren land with a blazing sun overhead, a barren land we must walk and a thirst we must endure. It may be a splendid banquet with sparkling wine and sweet meats, handsome men and winsome maidens. Temptations can take many forms but every temptation is no more than a veil. These may be our forty days to walk the desert. These may be the last days of Rome. It doesn't matter what form it takes. What matters is if we are ready. What matters is if we are truly worthy. No one forced this challenge upon us. We took it upon ourselves. We said we were ready. We said we were truly worthy. This is what the scriptures and the ancient stories foretell. There is a destiny calling. There are mysteries waiting to be unveiled. Barry Moon of Life at its Height, January 28th, 2021 Nanaimo

There are Mysteries Waiting to be Unveiled This is what the scriptures and the ancient stories foretell. There is always a challenge... of our conviction, to see if we are ready, to see if we are truly worthy. The challenge may take many forms. It may be a barren land with a blazing sun overhead, a barren land we must walk and a thirst we must endure. It may be a splendid banquet with sparkling wine and sweet meats, handsome men and winsome maidens. Temptations can take many forms but every temptation is no more than a veil. These may be our forty days to walk the desert. These may be the last days of Rome. It doesn't matter what form it takes. What matters is if we are ready. What matters is if we are truly worthy. No one forced this challenge upon us. We took it upon ourselves. We said we were ready. We said we were truly worthy. This is what the scriptures and the ancient stories foretell. There is a destiny calling. There are mysteries waiting to be unveiled. Barry Moon of Life at its Height, January 28th, 2021 Nanaimo

The Blessing of Compassion The Parota tree stands still and tall and offers its branches as shelter for all who need shelter.... It is called the listening tree because its seeds pods are shaped like ears. May we be like the listening tree. May we listen when there is a need. May we stand still and tall and offer shelter for all who need shelter. And may all our words and actions be shaped like compassion. www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

The Blessing of Compassion The Parota tree stands still and tall and offers its branches as shelter for all who need shelter.... It is called the listening tree because its seeds pods are shaped like ears. May we be like the listening tree. May we listen when there is a need. May we stand still and tall and offer shelter for all who need shelter. And may all our words and actions be shaped like compassion. www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

Like many of you I have been spending more time by myself, much of it walking through the wooded parks near my home, much of it reflecting on the beauty of Nature and my relationship with it. I am retired now and my daughter is grown and living on her own so I have few distractions and can spend this time in reflection. I have also been tracing my roots. My mother was born in southern Ireland and my father's grandparents in England and Scotland. I have come to realize that th...e spirit of these lands flows through my veins. When I hear an Irish jig I feel it galloping like white stallions down a creek bed. I have learned that before the Roman conquest that brought Christianity to these lands, the native peoples practised a religion that celebrated the changing seasons and rhythms of Nature. They celebrated eight holy days through the Wheel of the Year. These holy days or Sabbats were celebrated on the solstices, the equinoxes and the cross quarters between them. The Sabbat of Imbolc is celebrated at the mid point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated as the days are getting longer and Mother Earth is waking from her slumber. It marks the first stirrings of Spring, the time when the snowdrops begin to raise their heads. Imbolc is a time to welcome new beginnings. It is a time when gardeners start their Spring planting. And it is a time to plant intentions for the year ahead. My intention this year is to make a conscious effort to align myself more fully with the changing seasons and rhythms of Mother Earth. I know there is so much I can learn when I align myself more fully with Mother Earth, when I listen to her intently. I will do this by celebrating the eight Sabbats. I will do this by looking at how these holy days were traditionally celebrated and by looking deep into their relevance for me today. Whatever our background, whatever our tradition, we have this in common. We share one Earth, the solstices, the equinoxes, and the cross quarters between them. We share the rhythms of Mother Earth and the pilgrimage she takes through the Wheel of the Year. We are coming out of Winter, a time of deep reflection. For me, Imbolc marks a time to shake off wintry beliefs, to let go of what no longer serves me. As I surrender to a deeper understanding and experience of who I am, I will be looking at the role that Compassion plays in supporting me in this process. I will also be looking at simple ways to be a vessel for Compassion. What sign will you see as Spring begins to thaw our hearts, perhaps the white petals of Compassion If any of this resonates with you, then I invite you to celebrate these first stirrings of Spring with me! Please join me for a FREE one hour Zoom session on Monday, February 1st at 2PM PST. For more information please visit www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops

Like many of you I have been spending more time by myself, much of it walking through the wooded parks near my home, much of it reflecting on the beauty of Nature and my relationship with it. I am retired now and my daughter is grown and living on her own so I have few distractions and can spend this time in reflection. I have also been tracing my roots. My mother was born in southern Ireland and my father's grandparents in England and Scotland. I have come to realize that th...e spirit of these lands flows through my veins. When I hear an Irish jig I feel it galloping like white stallions down a creek bed. I have learned that before the Roman conquest that brought Christianity to these lands, the native peoples practised a religion that celebrated the changing seasons and rhythms of Nature. They celebrated eight holy days through the Wheel of the Year. These holy days or Sabbats were celebrated on the solstices, the equinoxes and the cross quarters between them. The Sabbat of Imbolc is celebrated at the mid point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is celebrated as the days are getting longer and Mother Earth is waking from her slumber. It marks the first stirrings of Spring, the time when the snowdrops begin to raise their heads. Imbolc is a time to welcome new beginnings. It is a time when gardeners start their Spring planting. And it is a time to plant intentions for the year ahead. My intention this year is to make a conscious effort to align myself more fully with the changing seasons and rhythms of Mother Earth. I know there is so much I can learn when I align myself more fully with Mother Earth, when I listen to her intently. I will do this by celebrating the eight Sabbats. I will do this by looking at how these holy days were traditionally celebrated and by looking deep into their relevance for me today. Whatever our background, whatever our tradition, we have this in common. We share one Earth, the solstices, the equinoxes, and the cross quarters between them. We share the rhythms of Mother Earth and the pilgrimage she takes through the Wheel of the Year. We are coming out of Winter, a time of deep reflection. For me, Imbolc marks a time to shake off wintry beliefs, to let go of what no longer serves me. As I surrender to a deeper understanding and experience of who I am, I will be looking at the role that Compassion plays in supporting me in this process. I will also be looking at simple ways to be a vessel for Compassion. What sign will you see as Spring begins to thaw our hearts, perhaps the white petals of Compassion If any of this resonates with you, then I invite you to celebrate these first stirrings of Spring with me! Please join me for a FREE one hour Zoom session on Monday, February 1st at 2PM PST. For more information please visit www.afocusonhappiness.com/workshops