A Happy Heart for the Here and Now
Over these last few decades, I’ve engaged in various mindfulness activities and practices; everything from the novel, refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable right through to the tedious chore-like routines. The latter of which I easily worked out simply wasn’t for me.
Through all the affirmations, positive thinking and body, mind connecting I’ve come to the conclusion that having a joyful heart and being in the present is probably all that might be needed.
It’s very easy to get ‘stuck in our heads’ over things with our logical brain trying to decipher and make sense of it all. We can literally tire ourselves with too much thinking!
While out shopping the other day, I unexpectedly said a happy hello to someone I hadn’t seen for a very long time. In fact, I’m pretty sure they were still at school and here I was, now conversing with a very capable and accomplished young adult.
I was surprised to discover that they were forging a name for themselves in motor sports photography. Curious to know more, I asked how this had all come about. What I wasn’t surprised about was the answer. As it turns out, they were spotted taking photos at a sporting event and were offered a job.
These synchronistic opportunities happen quite frequently when people simply engage in what they love and are there in the moment happy to be doing it. I can guarantee that this young person did not go out thinking she would gain employment or really anything from the experience other than simply being there and enjoying herself.
When we’re engaging our energy in things that have meaning for us personally, we’re opening our receptivity to happiness. We’re inviting joy into our lives and opportunity follows, usually for the things that we’re really longing to have and these are the very things that bring in more fulfillment.
What comes in sometimes isn’t at all what we might expect but it doesn’t take that long to see how things can manifest. I’m glancing over at the tabby-coloured fluff ball sitting on the bed as I’m writing. I don’t know how many times I’d said “no” to having another cat but had often caught myself happily thinking about it. Even though there are times when I question the decision (as we ended up with a kitten!), he is a lovely little companion and maybe it was meant to be. Who knows, but here he is!
We’ve all heard of being in the moment and how important this is to the human spirit. We tend, however, to either get far too ahead of ourselves thinking about the future or stuck ruminating in the past over what went wrong, what did or didn’t happen or what could or should have been. Perhaps we’re right about all of it but it doesn’t change the fact that we are where we are right now and so this is perhaps where more of our focus might be.
While it’s wonderful to have positive intentions, goals and visions for the future and reflect upon and learn from the past, nothing beats a happy heart while doing what we love!
If you’ve enjoyed this post, buying me a coffee would be wonderful. Thank you💐
8 January 2025, Andrea Weber , Expansive Happiness®
Image by Debby Hudson, Unsplash. Thank you for sharing your creativity.