Chasing happiness

I have a confession to make.  Last year, I thought I would learn to be happy.  I practiced happy.  I searched for happy. Funny thing is I was happier before I started trying to be happy.  I was already happy...until I tried to be happy...

 Science backs being happy.  When we are happy we are the opposite of chronically stressed.  We are all healthier, stronger and clearer.  We are more curious and creative.  We are more prosperous, gratefully and resilient.  We are everything we hope... and yet,,  Happiness isn't a thing.  Happiness is the end of a rainbow.  It's the pot of gold. 

Chasing happiness is like chasing a rainbow- hoping to capture the pot of gold.  But just like a rainbow happiness is elusive.  It moves, it shift and teases- I'm over here.

Happiness is not a destination it is a rainbow.  Can we be happy?  Absolutely, but happiness only comes in the present moment.  It is not a thing it is a state of being.  In a 24 hour period, we may have 10 moments of ease, 23 moments of gratitude, 15 moments of discouragement, 2 moments of joy, and one really powerful moment of fear which ends up taking over the rest of our day.

In one day there are 24 hours, 1,440 minutes and 86,400 seconds.  How long is a moment?

Our goal maybe should be to be present for as many of those moments as we can.  Isn't being present where the pot of gold really is?  It is the present of being alive.  When we are present we are connected.  We are alive.  We see the world.  We are in the world, not lost in yesterday, not wondering about the future and not chasing rainbows. 

What if in any day there are 18 moments that take your breathe away by their beauty?  Don't you want to be there?

Take a moment now...

Write what makes you happy.  Write for 10 minutes non stop, no editing, write continually.  Write about what make you happy.  Happiness is the awareness of what we love.  Discovering what we love.   Cultivating our passions, feeling gratitude and love.  Happiness is sitting with my dog Sally rubbing her soft brown and white speckled ears, seeing close her eyes and absorb.  Happiness isn't a thing, it is a moment.  When you feel happiness know that that moment is a gift.  We are not entitled to be happy.  Maybe our practice isn't to be happy but to cultivate beautiful moments and then be present to witness those moments.  Discover your moments.

A funny thing happened on the way to being happy... I forgot to be.  Practice the art of being and when you next see a rainbow pause and enjoy the moment.

Let go of being happy, be curious, be present and grateful and see if this elusive thing called happiness doesn't come visit.

        With love,
                  Denise