The Only Thing You Need to Know to Create Your Own Happiness
"True happiness can be found in the tiniest of things." -unknown
There are so many events that cause big time distress. Financial strains, workplace pressures, relationship challenges, parenting struggles, the current geo-political environment-all these topics can and often do create understandable worries. And many of these events are beyond our control.
When I find myself dwelling on things, events, or people I cannot control, I try to enjoy and savor the small things- life’s every day mini gifts. Afterall, our time here is merely a string of moments-instant snapshots in time strung together to make one long necklace of being. If you don’t slow down, you will miss the incredible beauty of each individual bead.
Savoring small moments takes conscious effort and practice. Evolution designed our brains to worry and anticipate the future, rather than stay in the present. And that has gotten us far. But too often we stay overly preoccupied with the future at the expense of our present happiness. Afterall, the future (as you imagine it), doesn’t exist. It might never exist how you envision it. It’s a mirage. It often demands way too much of our precious time and attention.
This is why children are so happy. There is no tomorrow for them. Only the now exists. That is all that matters. That is all that is.
So from time to time, call that big frontal lobe of yours back from the future and into the present. It’s so worth it.
Right now, sitting on my front porch writing to you, the cool morning breeze feels lovely. It will very soon give way to the hot afternoon sun, making its fleeting presence even more special. The hum of the tree bugs is peaceful and comforting. My warm morning coffee, perfectly sweetened, tastes spectacular.
When you feel down or overwhelmed, take a moment to notice the here and now that swirls around you. It will ease your emotional burden.
These are some of my “in the moment” favorites: steamy hot showers, sunsets, watching beautiful leaves fall in October, the aroma of a home-cooked meal, fireplace warmth and crackle, the sound of my son’s giggles, the chorus/refrain of my favorite song, summer evening thunderstorms, the smell of freshly cut grass in the summer, the smell of rain on hot pavement, the taste of strawberry ice-cream on a scorching day, the experience of reading a really good book, my husband’s smile, watching my husband dance, long hugs from my little girl.
I’m sure you have your own list. If you don’t, make one. There were over a billion specific events that had to take place in just the right sequence for you to even be in existence today, right here in this world, reading these words now. You won the life lottery.
One day, in the blink of an eye, in the twitch of a sneeze, faster than you can scratch an itch, this incredible journey will all be over. The rollercoaster, with all its ups and downs, will screech to a halt. Perhaps when you least expect it. But. You are here today. You are lucky enough to experience it all. Savor the small things. Even in the face of great tragedy and struggle, life can still be beautiful. But only if we pause long enough to notice it.
-Lauren