Sometimes when I ask clients to tell me about the last time they were happy, they pause and think.  Even more difficult is when I ask “what makes you happy?”  The answers don’t flow freely beyond the mention of a handful of people or pets in their life. If asked to dig a bit deeper to the feeling unrelated to others, the feeling of joy, it can be very challenging for many people.

Keep it Simple

Let’s strip away all the fancy stuff and think about the simple pleasures in our lives. How about after a really long Canadian winter, the first time we sit on a patio or in our backyard and have dinner.  The feeling of grass under our bare feet or a walk with ice cream in hand on a hot summer night.  Happiness doesn’t always have to be a new car or vacation.  It might just be an evening with friends or your favourite meal.  Simple is highly underrated.

Happiness Is There You Just Have to Look

Life is hard, we’re not going to sugar coat it.  There will always be things that are sad, frustrating and sometimes painful.  It is for this reason that we have to be in the moment and take notice.  Happiness doesn’t hang out with us 24/7, or does it?  It is watching the child at the grocery store who can’t resist jumping into a puddle after a big rain. It is the sound of the birds in the morning or the smell of fresh brewed coffee.  Happiness is there but some days you have to look harder for it.

Enjoy It

The idea of holding joy even if it is brief, is so beautiful.  Enjoy it, savour it and remember how it feels because you want more of this in your life.  If you open your mind and heart to the idea of finding it in everyday, it will be there for you waiting for you to recognize it. Say hello to it and be in the moment with it because this is what fills your cup.

Kimberley is the owner of Kimberley Gunning Counselling in Niagara

For appointments contact 905-353-5343 or email: kimberleygunning@yahoo.com