Research has proven that it’s not the big shiny things you do that make you happy, not the big moments, the big trips, the things you post out into the world on social media.
It’s the little daily pleasures you find or create in your life that create sustained happiness. Perhaps happiness is in fact a habit of small intentional noticing, being, and experiencing, daily.
When you take a moment to notice, you amplify your happiness. And so, I have created a little list of happiness that I\’ll continue to add to. My hope is that it creates more, and that you can create your own list. Pro tip: don’t overthink it.
Jasmine’s little list of Happiness: My quiet morning coffee, the smell of it freshly poured, a warm mug in my hands The cold leather chair beneath me and the fuzzy blanket wrapped around me The sunrise coming up on the horizon, orange and purple full of vibrant life The promise of a new day, a blank page A hot shower My bench on the path where I sit to write - it’s dedicated to those who enjoyed it before me The river I can see always moving; from my balcony it feels like it’s “my river” The sun warm on my face in the bright prairie blue sky The breeze rustling the leaves in the trees The glint and crackle of thawing and freezing water/ice as the spring arrives My footprints in fresh snow The crunch crunch of dried leaves beneath my feet on a glorious fall day A joyful laugh I hear in the distance The disorder and wonder of a newborn calf taking its first steps The peak of a hike overlooking the vastness of nature The last pedal stroke cycling up a long hill The smell of fresh rain Hoarfrost, a full rainbow, sun dogs Wheat moving with the wind in the fields, like waves in an ocean, the earth’s breathing rhythm Auroras dancing in the night sky, blue, green, elusive, enchanting A warm hello, good morning, passing by The smile of a stranger on the street A warm hug with an old friend Beautifully timed words of encouragement and courage Receiving a “Thank You” Witnessing an act of kindness My small act to make a life better, anonymously The moment a client achieves their impossible, not even realizing it yet A client’s “You won’t believe what happened!” message of elation and excitement A rhythmic meeting of the minds when things just come together My moments of insight, freedom, and arrival at a new truth Connecting the dots on seemingly disparate concepts Seeing a puzzle come together The flow of a great conversation with like minded souls The fun of an idea ridiculously generated out of Dave’s insanity, finished with a laugh The memories of a fun prank well played and well received The constant little push of my trainer beyond what might seem doable A fresh victory at the gym - 1:12 personal best deadhang, Feb5/2022, at 43, 130lb With a smile, my heart pounding through a workout, my hands nearly cramping t-rex style The grace and steadiness of my kayak along the water A cold cucumber gin on a still summer night A crackling campfire under the stars My heated seats in my car Fraggle Rock, old movies, majestic symphonies A great book that can’t be put down Things old and forgotten brought back to life by the hands of an artist Finding 20$ in my winter coat from last year The rush of the Rush lacrosse The sound of skate blades cutting an edge in the ice An eruption of energy and jubilation in a last second victory A child’s celebration with their team Jackson: “Aunty guess what, the Vancouver Canucks……….!” Emelia: “Aunty, no, I can do it!” x 3000, Shrieking laughter Dave’s arrival in a moment of brilliant ideation, and new knowing Ryno’s legendary feats of fabrication in sewing with fire Tony’s curiosity, genius and mishaps with tech Lisa’s superwoman deadlifts on the wall of fame at the gym JC’s relentlessness in persevering no matter what the odds, and passion for farm and food Jason standing out of his wheelchair to give me a hug, and taking me for a cruise in his fast cars Experiencing people around me bringing their genius to the world Witnessing others acts of mastery and perseverance Seeing tiny steps of persistence and courage through difficulty Winning small consistent wins through self-discipline Settling my body and mind into a grounded rhythm The victory of saying No The refresh of a deep sleep Live music that stills my mind and moves right through me A candle lit in silent remembrance of a life well lived The final words written on a page.
Some are forever seeking happiness, never to find. It is not to be found.
My happiness, I create in the moments. Choose to see, it’s all around you.