Happiness has concerned humanity for a whole eternity. Philosophers and poets have searched for the secret to happiness just as thoroughly as the average farmer. Through the years the recipes for happiness have evolved but have not changed much.
And yet, we continue to search for happiness because even though we do find it sometimes, we manage to keep it for just a fleeting moment before it's gone again.
On my quest to simplify my life and focus on my priorities I have found happiness in:
- spending more time alone,
- making way for idle time,
- focusing on experiences instead of things,
- loving others more then myself,
- getting rid of boredom,
- listening to my heart.
In fact, I have faithfully followed the positive psychology's teachings of visualizing my wishes and have encouraged you to do the same believing this will help me and you make them come true. I have often drifted away, daydreaming about possible situations or happier moments in life.
 |
| Illustration: Alias Ching |
Surely, you will argue that when people's minds are preoccupied with unpleasant thoughts it is natural for them to feel unhappy but the research Matt Killingsworth has led proves that people remain less happy regardless of whether their thoughts are positive or negative.
Even when your mind wanders to pleasant thoughts, you are less happy than when you are mindfully present in the moment.
Undoubtedly, training yourself to immerse fully in the present will increase your happiness. Do not overestimate daydreaming and wishful thinking. Get back to basics and do one thing at a time. Be here and now, right where happiness is.
Are you thinking of something other than what you are currently doing?
It's funny that you should write about this today..... I believe that I have done this all of my life.... And just had a sort of epiphany yesterday about it!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree by the way..... Thanks for the affirmation!
Blessings......
Keri
Yet another proof that like-minded people find each other. Thank you for stopping by, Keri!
DeleteIt's funny that you should write about this today..... I believe that I have done this all of my life.... And just had a sort of epiphany yesterday about it!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree by the way..... Thanks for the affirmation!
Blessings......
Keri
Such a simple premise, yet so challenging! Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Lori!
DeleteI find it easiest to remain in the moment when I'm enjoying nature on a beach walk or hiking trail or immersed in a stretch of creative flow. I could also remain in the moment while practicing yoga (from which I've admittedly strayed the past couple years.) Last week during the cancer survivor class I'm currently attending we received a half hour introduction on tai chi, and I could sense in that brief time that it would be similar to yoga in drawing one into the moment. I've been thinking it perhaps has something to do with tapping into something greater than ourselves, connecting with and staying in that moment. On yesterday's family hike, I was intent on being in the moment, concentrating on the different sights and sensations and was rewarded with much beauty and contentment. We commented as a family afterward that it was as if we entered into a real "fairyland." We were all captivated by yesterday's wonders! Now if only I could translate that ability to focus on the moment along the trail to some other areas in my life...
ReplyDeleteI think that the more we practice being fully present in the moment, the easier it should become for us to do it even in tougher situations. Even being completely into a not so positive moment can be a good think, right? :)
DeleteI feel the same way about tapping into nature, though I have never considered it in terms of who is greater. In a way, if we all do our part of the deal we are equally important but the thing is that we never do! And that is why I enjoy my conversations with you, because they inspire me and give me new ideas about how I can become a better and more fully aware person!
Likewise, Sonya! I enjoy and am inspired by our conversations. Even in your reply, your comment about being present even in the not so positive moments gives me pause for thought. I've been considering how in being present during those times, it can become easier to work our way through them. On that family hike, for instance, there was a stretch of uphill during which my knee wasn't feeling its best, so I concentrated on the way I was walking and what I was feeling and after a while, I was able to shift the way I was walking, so that the pain was eased. Other times I have tried ignoring the sensation rather than meeting it head on like that.
DeleteIt is amazing how our thoughts can affect how we feel, and having more positive thoughts can make us happy. I spent years always looking at the negative, but as I have gotten older and simplified my life I can say that I am happy with how things are going almost everyday. Great post.
ReplyDeleteValerie
Everyday Inspired