I’ve been thinking for the last few weeks about what happiness is. I’ve caught myself one too many times saying, “I’ll be happy when…”
But even when I achieve whatever I’ve told myself happiness will be, I don’t always feel as happy as I expected.
We all hear about living in the moment. But how do we do that when there’s so much damn stress in this world? Natural disasters, environmental concerns, global conflict, politics… oh my god, don’t even get me started on politics!
How do we feel calm and happy when we turn on the news—even when we’re filtering it—and see all the chaos?
The Guides often remind me to focus on what I can actually influence. And lately, I’ve been thinking about how that includes the life I cultivate around me.
Due to some deep shifting I’ve been working through, happiness hasn’t exactly been overflowing lately. But when I stopped to consider where I have felt happy lately, there are definitely moments.
The birthday messages that reminded me people care. Going out with friends and realizing we’re moving through some of the same stuff. Smiling at a text. Laughing at something on TV that was unexpectedly hilarious.
And allowing myself to get into the Christmas spirit. Now, that sometimes means buying another trinket or village piece I don’t need, but how can I resist? It lights up! :)
Recently, I bought a little fairy light that revolves on a pedestal, glowing as it turns. It’s bringing me so much joy. And I can leave it out all year, which I consider a definite bonus.
Looking around my home, I see little things like that—things I’ve chosen because they represent me, make me smile, or help me feel comfortable in my own space.
I’m realizing how important it is to ground ourselves in these happy moments wherever we can find them.
Even amongst the chaos, we can nurture our own inner centre of happiness. For me, that comes through connecting with my Essence and also through the environment I purposefully cultivate around me: the people in our lives, what we spend our time doing, what we spend our time thinking about, what and who we welcome into our homes and sacred space. All of these influence how we feel on a daily basis.
We can care deeply about the world and still cultivate a life that brings us joy. That joy gives us somewhere to come home to within ourselves, even amongst the chaos.
What’s bringing you moments of happiness these days?
Maureen