Mindfulness: How Your Happiness is Tied to Increased Awareness
We all want to be happy. But how do we achieve that happiness?
Happiness comes from inside
For many people, happiness is not so much a condition of the present, as a wish for the future, like seeing happiness as the pursuit of great “ifs.” Do you ever think, “I’ll be happy if: I get this job, or My family had more money, or My partner would only propose, etc.”
Often, these happiness “ifs” are wishes that never come true. Sometimes, even if they do come true, happiness doesn’t follow. The achievement may leave us empty, hungering for the next goal.
Mindfulness
This is where mindfulness comes in. Mindfulness practice helps us to stay in the present moment. The present moment is as far away from happiness ‘Ifs’ as you can be. Connecting to the present moment is, in itself, a form of happiness. Try to truly connect and immerse yourself in the moment. Attention paid to the life of the senses and the appreciation of your own breath can be extremely satisfying.
Self-awareness
Self-awareness means becoming aware of your own inner processes. Of understanding who you are, bit by bit. And of staying up to date with the changes inside you.
External awareness
Mindfulness also teaches us increased awareness of the world that surrounds us. We can become more aware of what is really going on in our relationships. Many scientific studies have shown how happiness is increased by a deeper connection with nature.
Mindfulness practice
Mindfulness is not a theory. It is a practice. It works best if you do it every day. Even if you are very busy, you can always include a few minutes of mini-mindfulness into your day. Just turn off all distractions, close your eyes and breathe into the moment. Listen, smell and sense. Connect with your own awareness. Get into the habit of noticing what is going on inside, and outside you. Happiness is tied to increased awareness and the ability to focus and pay attention to what’s important. The more aware you are, the more tuned in you will be to your happiness!
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