When I bought my husband tickets to the Carlos Santana concert in Vegas, I was excited because I knew how much he was going to enjoy and appreciate the experience. I had no idea that I would get so much out of it as well. Carlos Santana is much more than a talented musician. He is a spreader of joy, love, and happiness, and he uses his wizardry with the guitar as his platform.
Throughout the evening he stopped the music and spoke from his heart. He spoke of the energy that is within each of us, and how we can choose to focus it on the good in the world. He spoke of the beauty in humanity and how each of us is a unique source of that beauty.
Happiness is a choice, not a condition. ~ Carlos Santana
What do you think of this message Santana ended his concert with? I felt like he was speaking directly to me. In fact I felt like his entire performance was a message to me, and I was open and receptive to it. I know there were people in the audience who heard, maybe even acknowledged his messages throughout the evening, but I absorbed them. And I am certain others did as well because the room literally vibrated with positive energy.
You can hear or read a line like that and acknowledge it, but what does it really mean to you? Do you know how to live it like it is a truth? Do you understand that in the midst of your most painful flare, or your most emotional breakdown you can choose happiness?
Today is Tuesday, and I am exactly who I am supposed to be.
I am Dannette, and I am who I am supposed to be. I have physical, mental, and emotional pain. I have debt, stress, pressures and frustrations. I have responsibilities and obligations. And I have joy. I have love. I have happiness.
Where I place my focus and expend my energy, that is my choice. And I choose happiness.
And by focusing our thoughts, energies and ambitions on the good, we feed that energy. And the good grows.
Hold eye contact with the people you pass to today, smile at them, and watch the smile grow. Feed the joy and love that is inherent in each of us. You will be amazed at how you are better able to handle all the rest.
You’re free
If you wanna be
You’ll see
Ain’t nothin’ gonna stop you.
Choose what you gonna do
Choose do what you gotta do
Choose what you gonna do
Choose ~ Carlos Santana
This is the perfect post for me to read today. Your blog is an inspiration and resonates with me often – thank you for sharing your thoughts with us! 🙂
Tammy, thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. Your words inspire me to keep writing and sharing. Thank you! I am so glad this post was meaningful to you today.
Santana has always been about universality. Carlos has played with many other talents in combination since the days of Woodstock 67′.
For me…..who has attended some of the early venues……little has changed except the understandings have ‘deepened’.
That is very cool to learn Dennis. As a casual fan I had no idea. And to be honest, at another point in my life I am certain I would not have been as receptive to his messages. My understandings have deepened just as you said. Throughout the concert, images from his early years flashed across the giant screen on stage. What a treat that you were actually there!
This post rocks just like Santana!
Thanks Sandra! You just gave me a little spark of energy with your enthusiasm. You rock too!
I think Carlos Santana is the greatest guitar player in the world. And as a dancer I think he’s a real shaman. As Gabrielle Roth said:
“Many of my favorite shamans are rock stars. They probably don’t even know they’re shamans, but they know how to get to ecstasy and back, and how to take others with them. They may not have a license, but they know how to drive.” – From “Maps to Ecstasy,” by Gabrielle Roth, and as listed in the liner notes of the Carlos Santana album Supernatural
Oh, that is a great quote! In between songs at the concert I leaned into my husband and said “Carlos Santana dancing is pure joy.” It is true! You can see it in his body and on his face – it transforms him. He feels and lives the love and joy he shares with his audience. It was such a treat to see him live. Thanks Sherril. I will have to read “Maps to Ecstasy.”
And… I’ve been reading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, and participating in her website of the same name, http://www.happiness-project.com/. Hardly anybody gives anything for free anymore but there’s lots of great, free stuff on this site. I’m going to put something about Carlos in my Toolbox – http://happinessprojecttoolbox.com/.
Cool! I will check it out. Thanks! 🙂
This is a wonderful post Dannette. It gives lots of food for thought at the perfect time of year!! I was listening to Santana just yesterday too!! Thanks for all you do and have a Happy and Blessed New Year!!
Two days ago, I tried to resolve a real problem in a logical way, but I could not resolve it, so I began to feel sad and depress, and this moment my mind received this same thought “happiness is a decision not a condition” then I became to feel better and happy.
This true is so powerful, that when you learn it, you do not need to learn anything more about yourself.
I too had the pleasure of enjoying that show just last week and I have to say it’s now one of my most precious experiences. It’s a wonderful thing to appreciate and admire someone in a whole new dimension. The complete phrase at this show was “happiness is not a condition nor a destination, it’s a choice” this says so much in so little that could only be said by someone who has really understood life and achieved timeless wisdom.
Thank you for writing this post.