Don’t fly away, stick together. 

If I asked you what you want most in life, what would you say? A good majority of us would say we want to be happy. But many of us don’t know how to be happy. 

Why is this? 

Emotional intelligence is nothing to scoff at, and this is an important question. But might I suggest that we are overcomplicating matters? Happiness is here, within our reach. In fact, almost everything that brings us happiness is free. A sunset, a smile, our imaginations. 

“Monchu.” In Okinawa this means, “one family.” The people there live by this. History has not been kind to them but adversity has taught them to lean on what matters — each other. People. Another happiness freebee. 

Whether introverts or extroverts, we are social creatures. Every one of us. I don’t have to tell you what happens to a baby who is left alone after being born. We need each other. We are created to live in commune with one another. Just as a leg needs the rest of the body to function, so the person needs community. 

Moreover, helping others and sharing ourselves with those around us releases dopamine in our brains. Dopamine! You see, being a part of cooperative community pleases us - especially if we check competition at the door. Do that and guess what? What’s the word of the day? Yep. Happy.

There’s no mystery to unravel here. Look around you. Look at your life, your desires, the things you do. Do they not reflect this desire for community? To be a part of something larger than yourself?

Trust in that. Manifest it. Do everything in your power to live in it. It is not weakness. It is powerful and it is good and it is a place where your happiness resides. 

What will you do to live as “monchu” today? 

photo via Ev@ ;-)