#firstpost

#bloginspiration

The title of this blog is inspired by my perfume of choice, "Happy Heart." Creating a happy heart in myself is something I aspire to do each day. The description on the box reads, "A wealth of flowers.  A hint of warmth. A deepening of emotions." 

In addition to flowers, warmth, and all-the-feels, I think about 1 Thessalonians 5:16 which says, "Rejoice always." I sometimes often wonder how this is possible to do "always" given the state of our world and the amount of pain currently felt by so many humans. How does one experience both a deepening of emotions and a happy heart? 

My Other folks' (including David Steindl-Rast's) current theory is simple:

"The root of joy is gratefulness...It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful." -- David Steindl-Rast

The purpose of this blog is to test out this theory by sharing gratitude in all circumstances (yes, even when experiencing those "deepening of emotions" or when there are many other reasons not to feel grateful.) My hope is that by making this more public than in a journal or my own head, that readers feel likewise encouraged and even inspired to create their own version of a happy heart.

ps: Guest bloggers are welcome anytime :)