How much effort do we spend chasing happiness?

As if it’s something to add to our lives?

Something we must find, obtain, or accumulate?

We seek it through relationships.

Through achievements.

Through material accumulation.

We view it as something that’s missing.

Something to gain.

What if it’s something we already have?

What if it’s hidden behind the clutter of other thoughts and emotions?

What if, rather than seeking happiness outside of ourselves, we stripped away the things keeping us from the happiness already inside?

What if we worked to let those blockages go?

To let our innate peace and happiness shine through?

Don't work solely to pursue happiness.

Seeking satisfaction and meaning.

Moments of pleasure and joy.

Work also to let go.

Let go of anger.

Let go of anxiety.

Let go of depression.

Let go of insecurity.

Let go of fear.

The more you let go, the more you'll gain.

Establishing a mindfulness practice is a wonderful step for starting this process.

Make time to sit, alone, in silence, free from distraction.

Focus on your breath.

Let your thoughts and feelings come and go.

Journal on them, if it helps.

See what patterns you observe.

Work to replace any patterns that aren’t serving you.

Do what you can to resolve the real life factors contributing to those patterns.

Most importantly, cultivate a mindset of hope.

A mindset of growth.

Of peace.

Of love.

You are worthy of a most excellent life.

That life will have problems.

You choose how those problems affect your quality of life.

You can’t always change your circumstance.

You can choose how you think and feel about them.

Do what you can.

That’s all you can do.

You’ve got this.