Happiness Tree

AS THE THREAT OF VIOLENCE LOOMS - THERE ARE SMALL WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

With the recent and painful news of the killings in Orlando, Florida and cold blooded murder of the young singer, Christina Grimmie,  everyone is on high alert. There is a collective raising of blood pressure and lowering of our mood and sense of hopefulness. 

 

After one of these events it is typical and normal to be suspicious of others, waiting on pins and needles for the day, if or when you, or someone you love will become a victim of just such an attack.

It is also understandable and normal to feel helpless in the face of this global threat, especially when it strikes on home turf.

But there is something you can do that will make a big difference in your life and that of those you encounter.

Find ways to be kind, every day. 

 

It may seem like a small and therefore, insignificant gesture, yet it is anything but. You may notice, people scanning the faces of those in their midst... scanning your face more intensely than in the past. What are they looking for?

 

 

Implied by that stare is an unconscious question. "Is today the day?" "Are you the one that will change my life forever, maybe even kill me?"

 

 

Drill down into your own inner being. Haven't you asked that very question in small and various ways every time news of yet more bloodshed is on the lips of innocent people?

 

That kind of fear knows only one antidote: Kindness. 

People are anxious to feel better. To believe that there might be some meaning or benefit to come from all this tragedy.

You can provide that just by saying Thank You; opening a door for strangers; smiling for no reason; giving your space in line to someone older or with a greater burden than you own.

Showing your appreciation when someone does there job well, or maybe especially, when they don't. 

Try to imagine the suffering of others and act accordingly. This is the definition of compassion and it was already in short supply before the senseless killing of innocent people began. 

Now, more than ever, it is time to bring back this highest expression of humane treatment. Fight back against this war of fear, instability and hatred, with a quiet revolution.

Carry a field of peace around you. Project it to everyone in your midst, where ever you go.

Let them feel your humanity and perhaps they will be inspired pass it along to others.

 

There is no more powerful way to stand up to fear than with compassion. 

Start today! 

-S.E. Mathias

 

 

 

IN DEFENSE OF SEAWORLD

I don't often write about current events or issues as emotionally charged as the Sea World controversy. But as I and many others from across the globe have enjoyed countless hours of seemingly healthy, innocent entertainment thanks to the existence of this beautiful park, and as it would appear Shamu and all he represents will soon become a thing of the past, I believe some reflection and perspective is due. 

 

Yes, I saw the now famous or infamous "Blackfish" movie and indeed it was difficult to watch. I like probably anyone who saw it, was moved by the images of abuse, suffering, injury and death depicted in the film. And as the Sea World corporation has done little to refute the claims, one would have to assume that they are largely true.

As unfortunate as that is, let's put that in the perspective of the entire zoological industry, that generates most or all of it's revenue through the captivity and display of animals.

 

 

 

Should we be any less moved by a large predatory cat like a lion or tiger that spends it's life behind the bars of an enclosure? Even in the case of the San Diego Zoo, which is one of the most visited and modern zoos in the world, large predators are confined to enclosures a fraction of the size that Nature intended for them to roam. They pace back and forth, frittering away their rare and precious lives for the sole purpose of providing entertainment to humans. 

The same can be said for elephants, rhino, hippos, monkeys and apes, zebra, giraffe and the list goes on. So why the duplicity? We humans seem to have an affinity for large black and white animals. Our sentiments about Orcas is not too different from the warm and fuzzy feelings we have for Pandas. In fact, I would bet that more pandas and orcas have been sold as cuddle toys than "Teddy" bears, by a long shot. So it would stand to reason, when the world learns that either are being mistreated, the response would be astounding. But why not the same repudiation for what is likely far worse treatment of other. "less cute" animals around the world? The answer would seem self evident. 

On the other hand, the Orcas in captivity at Sea World are well fed, monitored and cared for constantly by a team of aquatic specialists. And perhaps most importantly, loved and touched constantly by their trainers. The sheer awe that has inspired countless youth and families over the generations has done much to bring awareness to the plight of our oceans and the majesty of marine mammals in particular. 

I have been a lover of Nature and animals from the time I was a small child. I watched hundreds of Nature programs and learned so much about the Natural world, that I became a docent at a Safari Park in Northern California, interpreting the characteristics and behavior of a wide variety of creatures for thousands of visitors. Therefore, when I visited Sea World, I pretty much thought I knew all there was to know about Orcas. How wrong I was! 

We arrived late and I was disappointed that we were relegated to the "nosebleed" seats, (the top bleachers). Luckily, I had some small binoculars and was able to see most of what transpired in azure blue pool down below. The trainer began by explaining how Orcas communicate, how they care for their young, how intelligent they are and how their social behaviors are not so different from humans. I was transfixed.

But when the show began, I was in for the biggest surprise of all. The trainer instructed Shamu to spray us with water. I imagined that only the first few rows would receive any measurable moisture. But when that tail let loose, a column of water so immense careened from the pool, that it drenched everyone in it's path, all the way up to the top bleachers. I didn't know water could even be propelled that far.

What an experience! 

Now however, the days of Orca ambassadors, inspiring adults and children alike are numbered. Your children and grandchildren will only see YouTube videos of these encounters. They won't feel the spray of an Orca tail in their face. They won't be able to witness the beautiful interactions that are possible between humans and these leviathans of the sea. In fact, they will never understand how a theme park could be built around the reverence for one magical creature and the profundity of that concept. 

In this era of computer games that relegate suffering and death to a key stroke, have we limited even farther the opportunities for our youth to experience healthy, educational fun that inspires respect for life rather than indifference to it?

 

 

Yes, in our diligent efforts to "do the right thing", we have sounded the death nell of one of our great institutions. Sea World is admittedly not perfect and it is indeed important to put pressure on our organizations to do better. But when we look back on those halcyon days, sharing that magical moment of sheer disbelief at the power and majesty of Orcas in our midst, will we wonder if we went too far? 

To Discover Your Wild Self, Adopt a Piece of Ground And Give It Love

When I write, I have a favorite spot in my home that looks out on my garden, the inspiration for which came from my early childhood experiences in my Grandparents backyard.

That same wild world rubs edges with my own, serving as scaffolding of order in an often confusing human world. From that scaffolding, I can peer beyond the mountain of news and social drama that unfortunately insidiously hijacks our sense of "reality.

So how can we cause this link to Nature to bubble up into our daily lives? How can we begin to fully appreciate that we truly are all an intentional result of Nature’s creative expression, rather than a pernicious invader?

With all the news about pandemics, sputtering financial markets, global warming, the shrinking ice caps, disappearing species and the like, it is easy to believe that mankind has become an unwelcome interloper to a once pristine wilderness. A brief biological experiment that has gone terribly wrong.

And it is true, human beings have and do exert tremendous pressure on the planet. Pressure that science tells us is causing rapid changes to our climate, oceans and biome. And I have no doubt that it’s true.

But the fact is, throughout our planet’s long history, many dramatic shifts have occurred, tilting the tenuous environmental balance in favor of certain species and against others. Volcanos, meteor impacts, shifting land masses, etc, have all wrought dramatic and lasting changes to the way our planet now looks and functions. Yet still, it remains a shining gem in the universe.

Our home is perhaps the only place we will ever know that is capable of supporting life in such abundance and it shows no sign of throwing in the towel. Should humankind take better care of our precious Earth? Absolutely.

And thankfully, many of the world’s governments are discussing and developing legislation that will cause a shift to more renewable energy sources, the curbing carbon emissions, the prosecution of environmental crimes and the restoration of critical habitats, so that the plants and animals with whom we share the planet can thrive along side us, on land as well as in our oceans. 

From this perspective, it becomes possible to redirect our emotional posture over our changing planet from one of guilt to one of innovation.

Conceiving of new ways live more sustainably with Nature. Drive less, use water and other resources more thoughtfully and most importantly, find a patch of terra firma where you can begin to cultivate life.

Our incredible planet is endlessly productive and with a little help, every place on Earth is capable of supporting plant and animal life.

Pour all your love and care into that sacred ground and watch it respond with abundance and gratitude. It is through this change in your perceptual relationship to Nature and your intimate involvement with it, that you will begin to discover and become acquainted with your inner Wild Self.

-Shane Eric Mathias

Author of "The Happiness Tree" 

 

Growing Your Happiness - Literally!

For those of you who have read my book "The Happiness Tree",  or at least several of my blog posts, you know that I am a big advocate of getting outside as much as possible. Which for a writer, can be a bit of a challenge. But there in lies the imperative to find a balance.

Very few of us have the time or inclination to drive miles to a hiking trail on a regular basis, to reconnect with Nature, but that connection is essential to your Happiness strategy. So what can you do to keep the Natural world accessible and integrated into your busy life?

Tend a garden.

I am very lucky to have a fairly large piece of property in a rural area of San Diego county, California. The weather here just about defines “perfect”. As such, I can grow a wide variety of flowering plants along with edible fruits and vegetables.

A few years ago, I converted an unused slope in my back yard into a terrace garden. I won't lie, it was a lot of work and not cheap. But it is now a source of great pride now for me, each time I wake up and gaze out on my yard. I beckons me each morning to make that essential connection. 

Any involvement with the garden now pays exponential dividends: exercise, sunshine, harvesting the bounty I’ve helped to create, breathing fresh air, seeing life burgeoning and blossoming all around me. The feeling is stupendous and I now know that gardening in one form or another will be a part of my life from now on.

 

But what if you live in an apartment or your home sits on a small lot?

As long as you have even a balcony, you can grow an amazing variety of beautiful and productive plants. Tomatoes are one of the first to come to mind. They can be left in a pot with a plastic or wire scaffold to support the fruit. Just water, fertilize once in a while and voila! You’ll eventually have juicy and delicious tomatoes to enjoy in a salad or as a marinara sauce.

 

 

 

 

If you have a yard of any size, there is often unused or poorly used space that can be "repurposed" for a garden. Planting along a fence is a great strategy that provides support for those plants that need it and leaves the majority of the yard available for recreation. 

 

Cilantro, mint, parsley, kale and many other leafy veggies can be grown in small planters, providing healthy and delicious flavor and color to your culinary creations. 

 

 

 

 

But you may not even have a balcony. What then?

In almost every major city, there are community gardens that operate like a co-op. You join for little or no money and contribute your time to build and maintain the garden, then reap the benefits of fresh, healthy food to take home. I highly encourage everyone to check out the expanding opportunities for community gardens in their neighborhoods. They provide all the benefits of outdoor exercise, with the added joy of social interaction. 

I cannot think of any activity that incorporates as many Happiness strategies as Gardening. When work, relationships, money and gadgets become tedious and fail to satisfy, look to Nature. She is the one friend, therapist, parent, confidant, playmate and exercise partner who will always be available and ready to support your happiness. Think about it!

-Shane Eric Mathias

Author of "The Happiness Tree"  Available here

STRIVING FOR PERFECTION STIFLES CREATIVITY AND SETS YOU UP FOR FAILURE

Here is the problem: You yearn for a challenge: to write, draw, paint, sculpt or create something unique, but you never start. Something holds you back. What is it? 

Many people feel they will need to meet some preconceived and frankly unattainable level of perfection, if the result of their efforts is to have any value. And placing that expectation on any creative endeavor stops innovation in its tracks. Because any skill must be honed and improved through experimentation, and by definition, you cannot improve on perfection. 

How and when did you begin to believe
that art has no value unless it's perfect?

Like many of us, as a child, you may have been led through museums by your parents, or on school field trips. You may have marveled at the paintings and sculptures you discovered and decided then and there that artists must possess some god-given magic that mere mortals lack. 

Of course, as casual observers, we see only the final product. What is hidden from our awareness are the countless hours of trial and error: the cracked marble, the torn canvas, the paints that didn’t hold together or that changed color when they dried. 

Because artists rarely reveal their failures or allow us to gaze upon the renditions that didn’t make it into the frame or on to the pedestal. So we form an impression that sets the great artisan apart from the rest of humanity.

And that quality which we presume is possessed only by this select group is the ability to create perfection. But this is an illusion.

Having dabbled in art myself and having watched great artists in the creative process, I can tell you that art never journeys neatly from conception to completion. Rather it travels a chaotic and uncertain path. And though its creator may hold a desired vision in his mind, the final result is often a compromise made between his skills the behavior of his materials and whether or not luck was on his side for that particular project.

Many artists cannot bear to look at their own work for very long or very often, because they see the imperfections others do not. They are reminded of the countless hours of frustration and lost hope they had to overcome just to keep going.

Therefore, when you marvel at the surface of anything, be it an automobile, a sculpture, the sensuous curves of a building or a culinary masterpiece, what you fail to see is the often messy process that led to its creation. That process is part and parcel of the human experience.

 

  

Since the beginning of time humans have sought to emulate the perfection found in Nature.

But science tell us that even Nature has conducted countless experiments along the evolutionary course, to arrive at the world we know today. 

 

 

So what is the take away message here? That perfection or near perfection is only achieved through many hours of trial and error. One’s first attempt at anything almost never produces the desired result. It must be repeated over and over, the approach to the challenge needing ever so careful tweaking to bring a “better mousetrap” to fruition. 

Here is the solution: Begin that journey of creativity and don't listen to the internal critic. If along the way, you find yourself being frustrated and engaging is self reproach, stop and take a breath. Step away from the challenge and recognize that you must be willing to fail and start again, or at the very least, adopt an attitude that embraces the development of skills through the commission of mistakes. This is how we learn!

Then and only then, may you finally realize that Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Shakespeare and you aren’t really all that different. Like them, you share the persistent desire to improve. And you use the same method that they used to do so...

....Good old fashioned hard work!

-Shane Eric Mathias

Author of "The Happiness Tree - Grow Your Happiness by Cultivating a Healthy, Creative and Purposeful Life. Now available here: 

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