Happiness is the natural state of mind which exists when we strip away all the worries and stories of unhappiness from our daily living. Each of us was born with a happy spirit. I believe it is necessary for the birth process to complete itself. Those spirits who cannot enter into the world happy simply do not manifest on this plane. Some enter and then provide a demonstration of unhappiness so the rest of us know how to choose differently.

How interesting then and somewhat baffling that we spend so much of our lives in pursuit of happiness. How can we be in pursuit of that which lies within? How can it elude us when in fact we are carrying it around with us? The answer is simple; we are not looking within, we are instead searching outside ourselves. Now when I speak of going within I do not mean withdrawing. I mean relaxing and centering which then allows us to connect with our inner wisdom.

Here is a method that I have used for many years when I want to connect with  my own happiness. First I sit down and relax. Second I let my mind become still (often by concentrating on my breathing). It feels funny when I first become conscious of my breathing. I actually find it more difficult to breath because I have taken over conscious awareness of it. Once I relax and allow myself to realize that my body knows how and will continue to do it, my breathing immediately slows and I become relaxed.

A very similar thing happens with my happiness. Once I become consciously aware of it I feel somewhat strange until I realize happiness has been with me the whole time. If it were a conversation it would sound something like this:

Brad: Well hello there.

Happiness: Hi.

Brad: Where have you been hiding?

Happiness: I don’t understand the question.

Brad: Well I have not seen you for a while is all I really meant.

Happiness: I have been here all along.

Brad: Did you miss me?

Happiness: No. But apparently you have missed me. Welcome home.