We want to be happy but wise people through the ages have advised that chasing happiness makes it harder to catch. I interpret this as meaning that I need to get better at noticing and appreciating the happiness that is there already and that I can so easily dismiss.

Happiness often arrives quietly and it doesn't have to make logical sense.. A moment of sunlight on water, or a sense of ease in your body can bring a sensation of happiness. The better you get at spotting those sensations and staying with them for a while, the happier you can be. So you have to pay attention to what's going on .

The Robin in the Garden

Imagine seeing a robin land on a branch in your garden. Most of us would see that tiny incident as something pleasant. It would give us a small lift. But if we automatically dismiss it as unimportant, then we miss out on the happiness it could have brought.

Where Happiness Lives

My lived experience suggests to me that happiness is expressed in the body: in your stomach, around your heart, between your belly button and the bottom of your ribcage. But if you're in your head so much that you never noticed the sensations, then you are the poorer for that.

In my forthcoming happiness event on Zoom, I'll talk also about other ways to cultivate happiness.

Choose to allow

I think it's important to choose to allow yourself to experience happiness. Some people find that a hard choice to make. Perhaps they have mental rules that tell them they don't deserve to be happy for instance. But if you're willing to choose to allow yourself to experience happiness, then you can get around those rules.

As the Buddha said: "Gladness liberates the mind." When you're in a bad mood, your attention narrows to whatever is making you unhappy. But gladness opens things up.

The Practice

As you go through your day, pause occasionally and ask yourself, "What can I feel glad about?"

When you notice even a small feeling of gladness, stay with it. Don't analyse it—that will make it disappear. Instead, stay with it for a while.

Today

So, notice one moment of happiness today—however small. When it arrives, pause. Feel where it lives in your body. Stay with it for a few breaths. Just acknowledge: this is here, right now, and I'm choosing to be aware of it.

This will all be the topic of my monthly zoom event this Thursday 30th of October from 7 to 8 pm. You’ll find more information on Eventbrite at the link below. This is an event in which I invite you to pay what you think is fair. The Eventbrite listing suggests two prices to choose from but if you click on “Get tickets” you can scroll down and set a different amount.

The event will be recorded and everyone who books will get an access link to the video as well as a link to an audio recording which some people prefer.

A moment for happiness - are you there?