The little things

Have you ever paid attention to the times you laugh? Laugh to the point where you cry? To the point where your jaw starts hurting and your stomach tightens? Have you noticed what it is that's causing this reaction? Do yourself a favor and start being aware of it when it happens. Because those are the moments when your happiness is not driven by achievement, possessions or emotional fulfillment. Those are the moments when your soul is truly happy. Pay attention, it's talking to you.

It can be as simple as watching a movie with your partner and getting overly excited over finding an orange mentos. Then betting on what color comes next in the pack. Or, idk... trying hard to eat slower to match your wife's pace, miserably failing and saving one last bite just to have it when she has hers. What about that time you "went on a date" at the neighborhood supermarket after 10pm because you were both craving a deli sandwich? No idea why I'm using those silly examples...🫣

I know, I know... Life gets in the way. Every day and without asking. Work, responsibilities, daily routine. Stuff that can easily overwhelm us and make it harder for us to relax. How can we be happy when we’re constantly stressed out? Most common instant reaction? A deep sigh and the gears in our brain start spinning. We start thinking about what can possibly get us out of that feeling. All our wants and needs, or at least what we think we want and need, monopolize our thoughts and mistakenly become our priorities. If it is something you can fulfill, good for you! You get a moment of relief and satisfaction. Until next time. When the same process leads to something that eventually is over your reach. Because, unfortunately, it’s human nature to always chase something we don’t have in the name of "the pursuit of happiness..."

Well...do I have news for you! Drop that mentality for God's, Universe's, whatever you believe in's, sake! Being happy can be so simple if you slap your mind on the hand when it starts acting up!

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for. 'Epicurus'

Find things that you enjoy. A cup of coffee? Your favorite dessert? Reading a book? Watching a movie? You name it! Take time to enjoy it alone or with a friend, your partner, family... Your call! And smile! Find every chance you get to smile! Turn it into a laugh and don't get embarrassed if you let a snort slip out... you're doing it right!!! Please! Realize how precious and rare those little, pure happy times are.

Appreciate the little things in life. These are the things that make it worth living. These are the things that make us truly happy. The fancy car? The big house with a yard? Sure! Those add to feeling good about yourself, I guess... But happiness can reside in a corner of a small studio apartment if you allow it to.

Alright... I'm getting overly positive and preachy here. But you get the jist I hope. Will leave you with a quote from this dude that claimed to know nothing and was happy about it.

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less. 'Socrates'

👇