Three Falling

The June chapter of The Happiness Project was subtitled "Make Time for Friends." One of the author's goals was to "Make three new friends" during this summer month. My original goal when I moved to my new locale (also in June) was to make one new friend. I had a bit of a slower start, but in January, I ended up with two new friends via an introduction. Within a week, this couple introduced me to one more person and suddenly with three new friends, I felt like I had a network (and options). "Three's a crowd" and suddenly I was happier.

Three is an auspicious number in yoga, in religion, and as a grouping technique when decorating. I once had a friend who always referred to her demanding Mother, Grandmother and Aunt as "The Trinity." Three is the 2nd prime number (for the math geeks). The Earth is the third planet from the sun (for the space geeks). "3" was a chart-topping Britney Spears song (for the pop music geeks and blog writers about books). Finally, three consecutively bowled strikes is a turkey. (I am sure all of you are feeling much more complete with this little nugget of trivia.)

Give A Little Bit

In less than two years an idea was conceived and implemented last night to give away one million books. World Book Night had its controversy with concerns that this increased distribution would cause a perception of the reduced value of books. As I have already mentioned, my best and earliest memories were of free books, and I am currently a book purchaser so we have at least one case to dispute this theory.

While hard to find news of how the event turned out due to BBC limitations on US video access, I did find a link from The Guardian discussing the Friday readings in Trafalgar Square.

Another nice read is a list of books from various authors on which titles they would give away and which books have been nice to receive. (Having just finished it, I was pleased to see Great Expectations by Charles Dickens on the list).

Particle Man

"Any device in science is a window on to nature, and each new window contributes to the breadth of our view."

- Cecil Frank Powell

Continuing with our photo Friday series, I snapped this picture in West Chester, PA last summer. Hope you find a new window today.

Happ(y)enstance

It is probably a good thing that my 12:30 am post disappeared with technical difficulties today. (Write with reading water and edit sober...although I missed the editing phase.)

So as a replacement to that which was lost:

It has been said that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Although I have moved through Rubin's chapter "March: Aim Higher," my last few days have been more about feeling rather than reading. [Seriously, Aim Higher? Do you know me?]

So as I rang in March last night with a hamstring-screaming yoga session, my teacher spoke of kindness to one another and of remembering love. As we practiced Dhanurasana [a.k.a. try to snap yourself in half pose] and I was encouraged to lift higher, she spoke of surrender.

In written text and mindful practice, the idea and pursuit of happiness are converging on me.