One Happiness

      "Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved." This is, perhaps, the most famous line written by French novelist, George Sand. What some may not know is this author was actually, Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin. She used the nom de plume or pen name of George Sand, because no woman in the 1800's could ever have been taken seriously as a writer.
   Today I am going to take my writing down a new path. In the past it was pure politics and if truth be told, draining. Politics and History has been a fascination of mine, since elementary school and it will now return to its proper place. A hobby.
   Now the new direction. Love. Happiness. Spirituality. Peace. Nature. Meditation. Harmony. That is where I am placing my emphasis. This is to help my family, friends, readers and myself. I have to be healed if I am to help the people I love. There is a toxic atmosphere in our countries. In our states. In our cities. In our neighborhoods. In our homes. It is hate, indifference, bigotry, intolerance, hostility and a break down of decency. No more. From any direction. The time has come to replace the negative with the positive. To love and be loved!
   "There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved." That is my mantra! That is my goal! To Love and be Loved! Repeat this to yourself, as many times as necessary to push those negative thoughts and feelings out of your mind. To love and be loved! It sounds incredible, doesn't it? As you say the words, smile! Come on! Picture me in your mind right now, sitting at the desk, typing this with a smile spread across my face. Does that idea make you laugh! Good!  My grandchildren would tell you I look maniacal or deranged. I think of it as happy. To love and be loved! To love and be loved! That is the goal.                                                                                                                                   Start each day with this idea and then spread it. Smile and spread love to everyone you interact with. Smile it makes them wonder what you are up to? Smile and then happiness will follow. Show politeness. Hold a door open for someone. Give them the opportunity to move in front of you in traffic. That one is really hard, but wave them through. Say thank you. When your family comes home, look up from the tv, I-pad, phone or any other distraction and greet them. Give them a hug and a kiss. This may freak them out, some may be suspicious or even, ask what's wrong. That's ok. Make it a habit and everyone will look forward to it and so will you. You will feel better. Your friends and family will feel better. They will spread it on to their families and friends. See where I am heading with this? To love and be loved!
   To love and be loved. Tell people, you love them. This is easy for family to say to each other, but tell your friends, you love them. Let people know. We all share this wonderful life and world, so let love and kindness flourish. It will start to shed light on the darkness of hatred and then the hate will die in that glow. To love and be loved!