Happiness is......on your face?

When you have once seen the glow of happiness on the face of a beloved person, you know that a man can have no vocation but to awaken that light on the faces surrounding him; and you are torn by the thought of the unhappiness . - Albert Camus

Are you happy? Do you show it? What does your face say? What does your body display? Clive James, Australia's ageing wunderkind, is discussing this phenomenon. Miss Eagle is conscious, as Clive James has been made conscious, of what is conveyed to others.

Some years ago in a certain place of employment, Miss E was engaged in conversation with the singular and quirky Margaret, the cleaning lady. Marg mentioned that she had seen me around before I came to work there and thought how hard-faced I was. Miss E tried not to look shocked as Marg went on to explain that she knew me better now and that was not a true indicator of my personality. Phew! Coz Miss E regards herself as a generally happy, cheerful and optimistic person. But it appears the face may be giving a different opinion.

This reminds me of the one justifiable case of botox injection that I have heard of. This was a woman who had always had frown furrows between her eyes. She had a responsible decision-making position and realised she had to do something when, after she had read a business document, she was queried about why she didn't approve. This was not her view - and she realised how this had been conveyed. The disapproving look of the frown furrows. So to botox she went.

Happiness is much under discussion these days - and so it should be. The happiness of individuals; the happiness of communities and nations; the economics of happiness or the happiness of economics. Academic studies abound. Check here and here. And there is The Happiness Institute. Over here, they say their purpose is formed with the mutual mission to give your mind a peaceful break with a smile on your face. A positive mind is the first step to happiness. This site helps you get on board.

Over at yarnstorm, Jane Brocket often tells us about her happiness guru - and probably everyone elses's - Alain de Boiton.

And...just to get you in the happiness mood here are some quotes. And to put a smile on your dial, pop over to cheezburger!

Time flies - and it's heading out the door!

Over at Pea Soup, Suse has been catching up with us all on what she has been up to. We have missed her - particularly at the meet up which she helped to promote. But she has been busy. Miss Eagle hasn't kept up to date on The Trad Pad because she has been blogging her fingers to the elbow over at The Eagle's Nest. Now don't go there if you are not prepared for a rant and rave of the current affairs variety. This is why Miss E splits up her blogging interests. Not everyone has the same peculiar mix in their head as Miss E. This is why - and also for Miss E's own sanity - she tries to keep The Trad Pad as a rant free zone. You know the sort of thing, dear Reader, a place of prettiness, creativity and calm. Well, Miss Eagle tries.

Miss Eagle has to report, though, that she is feeling a bit chuffed to-night. One of her posts, she discovered in the subscriber edition of Crikey, has been given a mention. Miss E is all a-tingle with this attention and the consequent traffic appearing at The Nest.

But that's not all Miss E has been up to. Parish duties have called. Miss E in collusion with friend Phyllis have established a group for widows and widowers, named Dawn of Life at St Thom's at Upper Gully. Ten of us turned up and had a great morning. Now Miss E is up past her elbows planning a Prayer Vigil in relation to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals for next week and all the while planning and preparing to take off for a few days in Ballarat to-morrow.

A church conference starts Friday - among a distinguished list of speakers, the estimable Veronica Brady will be doing environmental workshops. That woman just doesn't stop. Talk about nuns-a-go-go! What's the betting that Judith Wright will rate a mention? Short odds, Miss E thinks. Miss Eagle will be looking forward to meeting Veronica again. It is nearly six years since they met at the Shared Meanings Conference Retreat in Canberra. Miss E will be toddling off early to Ballarat to see the sights so watch this space next week for photographic evidence after a few days of Miss E being missing in action.

Have you noticed how some of our female blogging friends are into washing lines - different styles, clothing hanging thereon, etc. Suse has had a couple of her pictures used at this blog.

Dancing Leaf Farm is a very pretty blog. Miss E has no intention of trying to keep pace with this indoor/outdoor sport but is compromising with a previously posted picture of The Trad Pad's laundry.