Yesterday morning I woke up feeling a little glum – possibly the post- Christmas sugar withdrawals, or the realisation that another year has gone, and I’d better make this new one “count”. How will I measure that anyway?
Will I let my Ego set my direction for another year, or will this be the year I finally find the courage to follow my heart?
As if hearing my inner call for help, my friend Sandra magically appeared on my doorstep – bearing presents and presence… both at which she is truly gifted. Our conversation led me dancing into the office to unearth a copy of my favourite childhood book, which I was awarded as a prize for spelling in 1972. At the tender age of eight, attending Weilmoringle Public School, I was a master speller – and these were the days where children received books at the annual prizegiving. If you were really smart, you’d go home with an armful!
Reading the book together, I recognised that my life work and purpose was mapped in this beautiful children’s story –it is clear that if there was ever a “recipe” I had been seeking, I’d had it all along… in this beautiful prize.
Seven Roads To Happiness by Desmond Marwood and illustrated by Richard Hook, is about Prince Piccolo, a little boy born into a Kingdom cursed with a 100 years of sadness by a wicked witch! He promised his father that he would discover the secret of Happiness and break the spell. He sets out with his puppy named Petal on a journey of discovery only to find resistance every step of the way. Just as he was about to give up, he met a caterpillar called Claudius. He wasn’t from the Kingdom, so had escaped the spell of sadness. He offered to help Piccolo restore Happiness to the Kingdom if Piccolo would assist him along his own journey to Happiness (a lesson already – the best way to happiness is to help others).
Claudius’ first step was to wake Piccolo very early in the morning, the little Prince’s first experience of the sweet morning air. Their jubilation was noisy, waking the villagers – whose consternation at being woken so early turned quickly to joy as they also enjoyed the morning breeze tickling their noses – hence the First Road – inhale the fresh morning air.
They continued along the road, coming to a sad and despondent gypsy camp. Claudius fashioned a musical instrument from a reed, and started to play. It was contagious, and soon the gypsies were dancing, singing and making music – rekindling the “Happiness Overture” which was to drive away evil spirits. The Second Road – play beautiful music – dance and sing every day.
Satisfied that the gypsies would keep the music playing, the trio continued up into the mountains. They set about making paints from plants mixed with oils from the villagers lamps, and brushes from the goats hair, and painted a huge picture of happiness. The mountainfolk all come out to see what was happening – and were filled with happiness at the sight of the vibrant colours, and started painting their own houses and cleaning up their streets. The Third Road – have a vision & surround yourself with pictures of what makes you happy.
On the other side of the mountain, they arrived in the village of Minestrone, once famous for its fine food prior to the sadness spell. They dusted off the dishes, went to great lengths to find the recipe and ingredients for a big pot of Happiness Soup. You guessed it, after the villagers had all tasted the special soup, Happiness was restored and everyone started cooking and partying again. The Fourth Road – beautiful food shared with family & friends.
Meanwhile, back at the palace, Piccolos’ father, King Merry, was still under the sadness spell, despite hearing all the tales of Happiness spreading through the Kingdom , and tasting the Happiness Soup. Prince Piccolo, Petal and Claudius made haste back to the castle. As soon as he saw his little son again, and gave him a huge embrace, Happiness was restored to the King – Road Number Five – hug the ones you love.
Now the trio were back at the palace, strange things started happening to Claudius. He was given the Royal treatment for his contribution to restoring happiness to the kingdom, but his health declined and soon he was confined to bed, with a Do Not Disturb order from the King’s Physician. By the time Piccolo worked out a way to climb into the window to visit Claudius, the little caterpillar had disappeared. He thoughtfully left a note, advising he had turned into a chrysalis. He asked Piccolo to guard his chrysalis, saying “A wonderful thing will happen very soon and then you will know that I have at last found my own Happiness”. The days seemed long, but one day when everyone was trying to work out how first the caterpillar and then the chrysalis disappeared, a beautiful butterfly appeared – yes, it was the transformed Claudius! The Sixth Road – Be willing to go through the struggle to become your real Self.
Claudius was then appointed the Special Royal Envoy of Happiness for the Kingdom. Before flying off to the four corners of the Kingdom to keep his eye on the Happiness levels, Prince Piccolo asked him why he had said there were seven roads, yet he’d counted them and there were only six? Ahh, The Seventh Road – Each of us must find our OWN Happiness!
May you travel the seven roads in 2008 –
- get up early and breathe in the fresh morning air
- enjoy beautiful music
- clarify your vision and keep the picture of it close
- eat a big helping of Happiness Soup every day in good company
- hug the ones you love
- be your Self
- follow your own bliss!
Remember that happiness is always within you, no matter which road you travel.
