We gathered. We sat. We shared.  Whenever we get together on a Wednesday, you can not be too sure what brought each of us together. The many ripples -- the many seemingly disconnected paths -- that connected us for three hours on a Wednesday evening.

After one hour of sitting, Sarika read the passage by Sharon Salzberg. We each questioned ourselves: What do I really need? And, when have I been happy?

I opened the circle with a share about my high school physics teacher, Dr. Chen. On the first day of class, she asked us all to imagine our great-great-great grandparents and all the circumstances that had to work out perfectly for them to have met. She then had us imagine all the "coincidences" for our great-great grand parents, our grand-parents, and our parents to have each met one and other, respectively. In the end, she said, "I am grateful to be with you for the next 180 school days...there are an infinite number of paths that have brought us together far before any of us existed." 

Ebony shared about how her boyfriend and her created smile cards and shared them with notes to their neighbors anonymously to encourage them to have a great day.

Leena shared about her coworker and her continuing to go to a place to eat simply because of the welcoming smile of the lady who serves them.

Smita shared about how she is connecting with more of her coworkers, and finding the depths of connection in day-to-day work.

BK Uncle shared about the practice of contentment as the key to happiness; and, the offering of Jain monks, who give up all possessions -- even clothing -- and, trust the kindness of others to provide for their needs.

Evelyn spoke about how happiness is a choice, and how her decision to be happy has led to beauty and transformation.

Lata Auntie, while beaming with a smile and some laughter, spoke about the importance of remaining a kid at heart.

Sarika closed by sharing about being a mischievous and clandestine kindness operative by putting Dharma Comics and plotting other ripples of kindness at work. And, acknowledging the end infinite possibilities of creating happiness. 

By the end of the evening, we were smiling and laughing as we enjoyed each others company. We enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Lata Auntie and BK Uncle. Leena, Samantha and Ebony were gifted flowers to gift, and we plotted a 21-day kindness challenge. 

Sharon Salzberg finishes her writing with, "What I come to over and over again is that only qualities as vast and deep as love, connection, and kindness will really make me happy in any sort of enduring way." 

We couldn't agree more.