Learning from Hafez

HAPPY NO-ROUZ. HAFEZ is today reminding us that with the new day/ new spring that has sprung upon us, to remember to be engaging in the all-important endeavor of keeping our hearts contented and "khoshdel". To Hafez, the heart is the pivotal point of our being, and guides us to where we need to be. It takes "kooshesh"/ effort to steer your heart and soul to align, and create the glee and ecstasy that will connect us all to one another

نو بهار است در آن کوش که خوشدل باشی

که  بسی گل بدمد  باز و تو در گل  باشی 

No Bahar ast  dar an koosh keh khoshdel bashi

Keh basi gol bedamad baz o to dar gel bashi

Spring has sprung, seek to keep your heart contended

The flowers blooming aplenty, with you in the mud - where it is not intended

Happiness is a given - it is our responsiblity to create it, to seize it. In the US's declaration of Indepenence, there's also talk of the inalienable right to pursue happiness.  I've always enjoyed the echo in Benjamin Franklin's quote when it comes to then catching the happiness yourself

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself - Ben Franklin

Spring is here and it's beautiful. Go than and "kooshesh" + "catch" your joy, the joy that is being echoed in  the beauty of nature's joy around you! Happy No-Rouz!