Pure Mountain Tao

When I am in the library, I always find it amusing to look in the self-help area. It’s always 5 easy ways to change this or 30 days to change that. They certainly make happiness sound quick and easy to attain, no? The truth is of course, there are no easy ways my friend. The path to happiness and serenity are long roads full of detours and road construction.

Finding contentment in life is for most people, not an overnight occurrence. It takes time, effort, and failing quite often in order to succeed. Tao Te Ching verse 64 states that the journey of one thousand miles begins with one step. If this is daunting to you, just focus on one step at a time and not even think about the one thousand miles. Whether you actually go one thousand miles or not may not be even that important. What is important is that you are on the path and making the effort. Happiness is not about working hard but about working smart.