Happiness (experience, recall, muslims)

[Djamila]

What are some of the most powerful expressions of happiness that have remained in your heart?

In 1996, when the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina ended, a Bosnian Muslim magazine named DANI featured a cover that has become a symbol of Bosnian Muslims.

It featured a nude Bosnian Muslim woman waving the Bosnian Muslim flag, with the caption Jedna i Jedina (One and Only). It is the from the chorus of the Bosnian Muslim anthem:

Jedna i jedina (One and only)
Moja Domovina (My homeland)
Jedna i jedina (One and only)
Bosna i Hercegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

I have a poster the size of an average coffee table with this cover in my living room and you can find it on t-shirts and all sorts of things. It just represented the feeling perfectly. You just wanted to rip off all your clothes and run through the streets crying and laughing with the symbols of your people, and that's what they depicted, it was amazingly appropriate.

I have censored it enough to post it here, I'm sure.

[eudaimonia]

That's a great story, and I don't think I have anything to compare, except perhaps to note some apt depictions of happiness found in novels. But those are difficult to convey here.

Perhaps this will do. (It's a sculpture, so I hope it's okay to post.)

eudaimonia,

Mark

[PureX]

There is a special and fantastic joy in having created something, like a sculpture or a novel or a song or a play, and in seeing it take on a meaning and purpose of it's own, for other people.

And there is also a special joy to be found in stopping, and sitting still, and in letting the world go it's own way, right before your eyes. There is an awesome wonder in seeing energy expressing itself in so many amazing and beautiful ways, and in realizing that I am one of those ways, too.

[Sunstone]

The US has been fairly troubled through out my lifetime and I can't recall offhand any moments of grand happiness, except perhaps the relief everyone seemed to feel when the first Gulf War ended with the massive surrender of the Iraqi forces, and no use of chemical or biological weapons. But maybe the most recent moment of grand happiness for this country was before my time: The end of WWII.

[retrorich]

Happiness will be seeing George W. Bush out of office.

[Djamila]

Originally Posted by retrorich

Happiness will be seeing George W. Bush out of office.

I agree. I cannot wait for the day. Did you know there are more convicted criminals in his administration than in the Russian Kremlin? LOL That takes a lot of effort!

[michel]

Happiness was being there at the birth of my two sons; I don't think that there is an experience to beat that! First feeling dreadful, because my wife was in distress, and then suddenly out pops this little guy........(Twice!)

Strange thing about happiness - I cried like a baby on both occasions.

[Djamila]

Hehehe... you're adorable sometimes. lol

[!Fluffy!]

Living here every day in the sunshine of freedom seems to be enough for many people from all over the world to come streaming in every day seeking a new life, a new destiny, a new happiness.

I could move to another state tomorrow and reinvent myself if I wanted to.

I could, and have, quit my boring job and start a new business almost overnight.

I could go to a different church of a different faith every day without fear.

I could go to any college or university, given the right academic credentials, and learn and study anything I wish.

I could stand on a streetcorner and preach anything, anytime. I could play a violin walking down the street. I could wave or burn any flag I wish.

I can make money to feed many, or make nothing and be fed. I can live almost any lifestyle you can think of without fear of being hauled into court, beheaded, or having a letter sewn on my jacket.

I can live a life of prayer and meditation, or become a rock star groupie. It's all up to me.

I can travel from one end of the country to another on foot, by car, by plane or bicycle and no one will stop and ask for my papers.

There is joy to be had here for those reasons, and the cool thing is it's all up to the individual to find their own joy. Sure, some people seem to find their 'joy' in sitting around byoching and complaining but that's okay, who's to stop them? I'm grateful every day to have been blessed with such a great place to live and raise my family - without fear. Just living here is happiness of the everyday variety.

Guess that's why we don't have to advertise.

[Jaiket]

Originally Posted by Djamila