#49 | How to be 10% happier. Part 2
Hello friend -
Over and over again, I remind myself of the quote: "happiness is not what we find. It is what we practice".
But how do we practice? – some of you would ask.
Well, it turns out there are certain things we can do to cultivate a state of joy. Let's look at them in this email.
Number one thing we could teach ourselves is to notice the moments when we feel good for no reason.
So often, we just skip these moments or take them for granted, passing them unnoticed. Familiarize yourself with these states of mind, savor them, explore them.
The interesting thing about unconditioned joy is that there is one necessary condition, though.
Start paying attention to what is happening at the moment when you feel good. You will see that you are not thinking about tomorrow's lunch with a colleague or anticipating your performance review. Instead, you are aligned with what you are doing, feeling, saying at this very moment, be it washing your dishes, gazing out of the window, walking your dog, or working on slides. The point is that we are more likely to feel content when our mind is calm and present.
Another powerful thing you can do to cultivate joy is generosity.
Yes... generosity. And by this, I don't necessarily mean charity or daily financial support. Generosity comes in so many forms. This can be a slightly higher tip to the courier who just delivered you groceries, a compliment, an offer to help your friend to move houses, a small talk with a neighbor, cooking dinner for a friend who is going through tough times, or even a simple smile to a stranger. We have so much to offer. You got the point—anything you can do without expecting anything in return. At the same time in return you will feel great. Generosity makes us feel connected to others. It is such a powerful tool that even remembering acts of generosity in the past can reactivate the state of feeling good.
One more tool in the toolbox is more well-known, yet so many of us don't use it. Gratitude. Simple gratitude.
Way too often, we focus on things we don't have. In gratitude, we shift the pattern and start acknowledging stuff we have, right now, at this moment, over and over again – next breath, a cup of tea, an eager ear of a friend, a roof over the head, relatively stable health of parents, etc. It's a practice. See if you can spend a few minutes daily noticing your blessings.
These things may sound too goofy or cheesy. At the same time, they are rooted in ancient wisdom. Happiness is not what we find. It is what we practice. Can you start now?
Enjoy your day. Enjoy being.