This is so true. Humans seem to be always looking for the big event or silver bullet. So many stories use the line, “all of a sudden” as if that is the only way that something important can be experienced. Magic and joy are constant and we experience them as we choose to.

We are so on focused issues and problem solving, that we often miss the happiness in the seconds and minutes of our lives. Problem solving is, in itself, a magical event. When we find the solution, we are often relieved, but are we happy – satisfied, content or even joyful? Too often we jump to the next issue without allowing ourselves to benefit from the success. There can be emotional, mental, physical and spiritual healing from being in the joy of achievement. Doctors will talk with you about endorphins. I will talk with you about allowing peace and joy to overtake you. They are equal parts of the same equation.

What about smaller moments of happiness? They are equally important and make up most of our lives. It can be the smile that crosses your face when you observe the antics of humans. It can be the softness that comes to your heart when you see children playing. It can be the exhilaration of watching the sunrise on the way to work. It can be the satisfaction of cooking yourself a special meal after a long day. The opportunities for experiencing happiness are many, remembering to do so – a bit more challenging!

So how do you do program in remembering? How do you stay in the moment of joy? First of all, I would love to hear your tricks. I am always open to adding more happiness tools to my belt. I will share a few of mine with you. Some of these you have heard so they are gentle reminders. Some you know in your heart so they are simply a nudge to awaken your knowing. Some are so obvious that many people ignore them because they appear too easy to be of value! – Let’s start there:

• Happiness is found in simplicity and ease – We often make our lives too complicated and difficult and therefore, miss the joy. Slow down and allow your self to move with life instead of fighting your life.
• Look for goodness – Expect goodness from others. We guard ourselves from pain so we get pain (Law of Attraction). Kindness and goodness bring out the same in others.
• Remember to breathe – take time to consciously and slowly breathe during your day. This will bring you back in your body and helps you be present (to enjoy the moment).
• Remember to smile – When you smile, people are more likely to smile back, strangers, clerks, colleagues, your partner and the dog.
• Have reminders that work for you – I get the Abraham quotes on my computer every morning. Sometimes it is just the right words to move me from tired and grumpy to ready to embrace the day.
• Choose your news – It is important to know what is going on in the world. However, you are in charge of how much news you get and how often. In going to sleep after watching trauma, you carry that trauma with you into your dreams. It can cause stress and further trauma to your body.
• Laugh every day – This may seem out of your control. It is not. I made a promise to myself that I would belly laugh everyday. Through my intent and the Law of Attraction, I do.
• Enjoy personal time every day – Again, people tell me they don’t have time. If you don’t make time to hold yourself with this respect, who will? Even 5 minutes of conscious quiet can bring peace and joy to your whole self.
• Set the intent to be happy – Let’s get down to basics. I have hinted at Law of Attraction more than once here. How do you want to live your life? Happy people are wonderfully successful, rich, loving, intelligent, respected and, in general, healthier.

As I said, these are just a few ways that I make sure I stay in the flow of happiness. There are others. Being conscious of the happiness in one’s life is a meditation, a practice. I’m not sure that we will ever achieve perfection though we can get so good at this that we don’t consciously remember the rough moments. Life can be an adventure of happiness and you don’t even have to go anywhere!

And, to be sure, I am not discounting the big events. I love the adrenaline rush of a great achievement. But to truly enjoy the big events, one must first learn to experience happiness in the small ones. If not, we can get addicted to adrenaline and our lives can become a killing roller coaster of tremendous highs (often dangerous) strung together by long depressions. That is not happiness.

Happiness feeds the soul. It gives us strength and determination to face the difficult times and the ability to recover faster and more completely. In Spiritual terms, it is the prana or life force that keeps us going. You know how long it takes you to recover when you are exhausted. Then someone shares a humorous antic dote and you feel better. You have breathed in love in the form of healing that has been delivered to you through laughter. Now you are happy though tired. Life feels easier and you have the strength to go forward.

This is only one simple story. I am sure you have many. Remember them and allow them to support you in focusing on what is important. It is the moments of happiness that make our lives. It is those sweet seconds where we are consciously aware of who we are and what we are involved in – whether it be watching, listening, sensing, feeling, smelling, tasting or simply being that bring us the greatest pleasure.

Wishing you happiness in every moment of your life,