Santosha is the yoga word for contentment, unconditional happiness. Contentment is a happiness emanating from the inside out, not determined by outside circumstances.
In the last two weeks, I have had the opportunity to enjoy Burlington during Jazz fest. One Saturday I was at the Burlington farmer's market. There was awesome food and craft vendors, live music playing, and people of all ages hanging out on the lawn or walking around the booths. I was loving the community feeling, music, good food, warm weather, and then....I scanned the faces of everyone there and I was shocked! Not ONE person was smiling. I looked more closely at every face in my field of vision. There was no sign of happiness. I was really confused.
This past Saturday my friend treated me to a VIP pass for the reggae show under the World Tent on the waterfront. I was telling my friend about my observations at the farmer's market the Saturday before and so we did a scan of the folks in the VIP tent listening to live music and eating and drinking for free. Again, there was not a smile or even a glint of happiness in any face. In fact, we both agreed that everyone looked really serious and most had a furrowed brow.
What's going on? I am guessing people are stressed out and are out of touch with the beauty and blessings that surround them all day, every day.
These observations have moved me. Although stress is ever present, we can choose to see the beauty, love, and blessings in our lives, in our families and friends, nature, in service to others and on and on.....we may need to practice this, diligently, every day. And gently remind one another. Life is too short and too precious to let slip by.....
