What is happiness,
Really?
At times,
I feel like I'm missing a puzzle piece.
It becomes something I strive for,
Like a fundraising game,
Where if I just keep adding to it,
I'll meet my goal.
Yet,
This striving energy covers up any real approach to happiness.
It's like trying to create more wind to get somewhere,
Even though I can't hold wind in my hands.
Have you ever noticed the more you look for happiness,
The more you strive for it,
The less happy you become?
It's all more external approaches.
Follow these three steps,
Or here's what I did,
It'll work for you.
But in the end,
It's about what's within you,
What's within yourself and who you are.
What if you change perspective from how we're taught?
What if it's not a process or steps or a specific way?
What if happiness is something that you thrive in and it already exists within you?
It's just a matter of uncovering it.
Happiness is not about doing more,
But rather flowing in your energy essence.
Because this energy behind happiness is already within you.
It's just a matter of what needs to be unblocked so it can flow.
Because it's particular to you and who you are,
That formula,
That recipe for you.
What is the essence behind happiness for you?
That's what we're going to explore.
So let's begin.
I invite you to grab anything you may need to feel safe and comfortable.
And whether you want to sit in a chair or on the floor,
Placing your hands in your lap and starting to settle in,
Closing your eyes or resting them with a soft gaze.
And start to take some deep breaths.
Go all the way down into your belly.
And little by little,
Try to exhale slowly.
Notice if there's an urgency or effort in your body.
Let that soften.
You don't need to do anything right now.
Just be here.
As you come inward,
Bring awareness in your mind's eye to a view on top of a hill or mountain.
As you look down,
You see a field of wildflowers,
Your own private secret meadow,
A place just for you.
And start making your way down into this field.
Sensing the sunlight wrap around you,
The smell of the crisp air,
And the warmth of the flowers radiating a pop of color,
Almost like they're smiling at you.
Notice a flower that grabs your attention and place it in a bubble within your awareness.
Observe this flower as it represents your connection with happiness,
Giving the flower space and a voice as you observe.
And what do you notice?
There's no good or bad.
It's just neutral.
See if you can bring neutrality to whatever it may be.
Maybe it's an image,
A knowingness,
A color,
A shape,
Movement or texture.
It's different and allowing it to be whatever it is for you.
What if the methods that don't work for you aren't failures?
They're just not your language.
Bring compassion to whatever arises as you continue to observe.
As the flower releases and transformation happens,
Sometimes it's quickly and other times it's slower,
But it's always moving.
You can't rush nature.
So just observe with compassion,
Letting yourself be with this flower with no work required,
Releasing any striving energy,
The belief you can just work harder at it,
Or everyone else can be happy but I can't,
Or maybe it's I must be doing it wrong,
Or I don't deserve this.
Releasing these beliefs,
Watching them fall away like old petals,
Making space for your true essence to bloom.
Release that your happiness is the same as someone else.
Release any stories and just observe,
Allowing this to speak to you rather than you speak to it.
Check in on your breath here.
Release any tension.
You have all the puzzle pieces for you.
Build your puzzle,
Not someone else's.
As the flower changes and grows and transforms,
Is there any colors or textures or images or words that you sense?
Underneath all that is the essence of energy budding up.
What does your soul know about happiness that the books don't mention?
What message is this flower showing you?
Letting it just unfold.
Letting it speak and move.
What if happiness is simply an essence of energy your soul desires?
Maybe some connection,
Beauty,
Nature,
Self-love,
Safety,
Belonging,
Or anything else this essence is specific to you in this moment.
Check in on your breath.
This isn't something you create or earn.
It's something you recognize and allow.
Surrounding yourself with this essence.
How do you feel?
What do you see?
Bringing this essence into the crown or top of your head and let it flow down throughout your body to the bottom of your feet into the ground.
Maybe it's like a stream or a spiral staircase.
Whatever feels right for you.
Breathe it in.
And take a moment to give gratitude for what has been shown to you.
And pop the bubble.
Start to wiggle your fingers and toes and stretch.
Take a deep breath.
And as a reminder,
You're not here to live someone else's life.
You can't build your puzzle with someone else's puzzle pieces.
You have your own unique happiness language that's valid just for you.
You're here to live through your essence.
And this shows up in the small moments,
Not the big bang moments.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
And how can you incorporate your essence into your day?
Into tomorrow?
Or the next?
Or the next?
