Present
Developing hope for the future and thanks for the past have an impact on attitudes relating to happiness. But the experience of happiness is in the present; in the now. If our attention is captured by thoughts about the past or future we are less able to experience happiness right here and now in the present moment which is the only moment when we can fully experience deep joy and peace.
These deep attributes of happiness are also from within. They are not caused by external circumstances, of having more of this or less of that. Perhaps to be happier we need to be more in touch with what we already have and re-examine our priorities. The world presents one message to us – of happiness being the result of something we can acquire in the future. Think about the opposite of happiness dwelling within you now and working to remove the barriers to it.
1) Meet others as if for the first time. This might sound odd but it will bring you into the present. When we meet people for the first time we do so without likes, dislikes, ideas or opinions and therefore they are free to be themselves and we are free of judgements or labelling. People change from moment to moment so see what you have to enjoy by dropping all conceptions and meeting others as if for the first time. (You don’t need to pretend you’ve never met them before though.)
2) Listen long – be present. The deepest love we have to give is our full attention to the person in front of us. Listen deeply, which means not just waiting till it’s your turn to speak again. Try counting to three after they have finished before chipping in. The deeper you listen the more people will open up.
3) Discover flow. If you can make social encounters satisfy as many of the following criteria as possible you will find them enabling a state called ‘flow’. This can only happen in the present moment and gradually develops psychological strength.• The task is challenging but suits our skill level.• We concentrate.• There are clear goals.• We get immediate feedback.• We have deep, effortless involvement.• There is a sense of control.• Our sense of self vanishes.• Time stops
Thought provoking, i know that when i have made done some of the stuff i have mentioned above it has changed the way i have interacted with people in my life. Taking stop, being thankful for now, the present, all i have now - really challenging sometimes. I seem to (at the moment) only take note of what i have now, and recognise what i need to change, to sort out, what i want to get rid of or deal with, and not have be a problem anymore. but sometimes i guess its okay to also just be thankful.
thankful for the gorgeous blue sky today, the warmth of the sun, a stroll through a park, the changing of the seasons, a hot cup of coffee to warm my hands, the smile of a child enjoying warm blackcurrant squash like its heaven in a cup, maybe the pleasurable sensation of it in their mouths is, a small window into heaven. presently i really can see the divine, in the ordinary if i really, try.
These deep attributes of happiness are also from within. They are not caused by external circumstances, of having more of this or less of that. Perhaps to be happier we need to be more in touch with what we already have and re-examine our priorities. The world presents one message to us – of happiness being the result of something we can acquire in the future. Think about the opposite of happiness dwelling within you now and working to remove the barriers to it.
1) Meet others as if for the first time. This might sound odd but it will bring you into the present. When we meet people for the first time we do so without likes, dislikes, ideas or opinions and therefore they are free to be themselves and we are free of judgements or labelling. People change from moment to moment so see what you have to enjoy by dropping all conceptions and meeting others as if for the first time. (You don’t need to pretend you’ve never met them before though.)
2) Listen long – be present. The deepest love we have to give is our full attention to the person in front of us. Listen deeply, which means not just waiting till it’s your turn to speak again. Try counting to three after they have finished before chipping in. The deeper you listen the more people will open up.
3) Discover flow. If you can make social encounters satisfy as many of the following criteria as possible you will find them enabling a state called ‘flow’. This can only happen in the present moment and gradually develops psychological strength.• The task is challenging but suits our skill level.• We concentrate.• There are clear goals.• We get immediate feedback.• We have deep, effortless involvement.• There is a sense of control.• Our sense of self vanishes.• Time stops
Thought provoking, i know that when i have made done some of the stuff i have mentioned above it has changed the way i have interacted with people in my life. Taking stop, being thankful for now, the present, all i have now - really challenging sometimes. I seem to (at the moment) only take note of what i have now, and recognise what i need to change, to sort out, what i want to get rid of or deal with, and not have be a problem anymore. but sometimes i guess its okay to also just be thankful.
thankful for the gorgeous blue sky today, the warmth of the sun, a stroll through a park, the changing of the seasons, a hot cup of coffee to warm my hands, the smile of a child enjoying warm blackcurrant squash like its heaven in a cup, maybe the pleasurable sensation of it in their mouths is, a small window into heaven. presently i really can see the divine, in the ordinary if i really, try.
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