This weekend there is a family reunion which I am missing, largely because of a misunderstanding. The organizers thought I was already in New Zealand and unlikely to need specifics. Those who knew I was still in California believed I already had invitation details--and I thought it was only for the young people, not us oldies, and then thought nobody loved me, etc, etc. What foolishness!!

What is truly joyful about it, however, is that this is the first time that the next generation is the one planning it. Lots of cousins who remember those gatherings from their childhood are now married with families of their own. Also, there are a whole batch of 'new' cousins from a previously estranged generation who are now enthusiastically rejoining the family. It makes me so happy that they are carrying on this tradition and staying in touch despite the how many states they are apart. I'll make it there next time!!

Meanwhile, I had some time to really think about what it means to be happy (and how easy it is to make myself unhappy!). Here's the latest article from the Baha'i site at BellaOnline.com.

Finding Joy
Happiness is transitory and can be superficial, often based upon material things, whereas joy is a fundamental state underlying every other emotion.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art181210.asp

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