Summer! Finally, we can enjoy our famous Southern California weather. As a native Californian, I consider myself an endangered species. Enough rainy cold weather already! Time to get out and about to engage with the abundance of events and entertainment in our own backyard, especially outdoor offerings.
What would make a joyful day for you – a day to remember and make you smile? What kinds of experiences bring you true happiness? Those you reflect upon and savor, or those with lots of excitement or entertainment that is fun and temporary?
Happiness is an inside job. Excitement and entertainment are fun and can lift our spirits and make us laugh and relax. Naturally, we seek to recreate such enjoyable experiences as often as possible. We also know the difference between entertainment that always seems too fleeting and the joy gained from more meaningful and memorable experiences.
We all desire to live a happy life. What constitutes a happy life for you? This is different for each of us, of course.
Happiness is not simply a positive mood. It is a sense of well-being and purpose; a life that is meaningful, fulfilling and joyful despite its ups and downs. Fortunately, we can choose to be happy regardless of our individual circumstances — temporary, permanent or challenging.
Consider the difference between snapping a phone photo or selfie and being fully present and engaged in a situation, experiencing your own thoughts and feelings as well as physical surroundings, visual images, sounds, sensations, smells, air, temperature, energy, people and structures. Might the camera interfere with your experience because you’re a bit removed? Or, will this time become a treasured memory to cherish and share or merely a pleasant moment to recall when you see the picture?
Realize the camera screen image demands your attention while creating a small barrier between you and the subject of your picture. As you focus on whomever or whatever you want to capture, you will be somewhat separate because you’re the photographer rather than actively engaged with the subject.
The main thing is to keep the main thing as the main thing. What’s your priority, your focus, your purpose?
Imagine an enjoyable meaningful day. What fills up your senses — emotionally, psychologically, spiritually? What kind of experience do you want to create? Engaged, relaxed, active? Recording places, times and experiences with pictures? Sharing the time with family and friends? Discovering and learning something new?
Focus on the quality of your excursions and adventures. Give yourself time to breathe, stroll and savor moments. Plan weekends, day trips and outings, some for fun and frolic, some allowing time for discernment and connection.
Life is a journey, not an event. Be with the ones you’re with, treasuring your time together. Notice the small things, nuances, people, surroundings, and nature. Most of all, enjoy and celebrate life!
By Esther C. Bleuel, MFT. MDR