Happy Flappy

Why don't we spend more time actively encouraging happiness?You may remember a previous post that I had put up back in April, written alongside a good friend of mine Charles Hamnett. About the state in which society finds itself, and I have also mentioned following up on a previous thought. I have finally managed to sit myself down in front of my laptop and write about something that has been playing on my mind for a couple of months now:HAPPINESS  Now a pre-warning, a lot of what I am about to say is plucked directly and expanded on from a fantastic MUST READ book I picked up some weeks back; and if anything I mention in the following post sparks something inside you please DO pick up a copy. The Pathby Professor Michael PuettandChristine Gross-LohSo I'll first start with a small paragraph about what it is I've actually taken away from this book, before I reopen the thing and pick up on some mental notes I made whilst reading it. Happiness really isn't that elusive. The fact of the matter is, it's actually incredibly easy to come by; as easy as going to the nearest shop and buying a chocolate bar. Thinking of closing this post down already? Trust me, bear with it.Ever hear the saying, 'wallowing in self pity'? I don't know about you, but that's a very common saying to come across... at least it has been for me, but I don't think I've ever heard of anything for happiness. If you have heard of a saying along the lines of 'bathing in glowful joy' - okay I just made that up on the spot, but you see what I'm getting at - then please do leave a comment below, because I'd love to know. Being happy is simple, we just need to appreciate it more, and quite honestly, conjure the darn thing!What I enjoyed about 'The Path' most, is almost immediately I had found answers to questions I had been seeking for years. Straight away I realised what was so wrong with society (see previous post with Charles).First what we have to do is let go of who we THINK we are. Ever feel a grudge against someone for 'labelling' you? Well reality check, you've  been labelling yourself since school! 'I'm impatient', 'I'm too clingy', 'I'm easily angered', etc. Well guess what, you're all of that AND their complete opposites. We are malleable beings and the problem is you have spent who knows how long convincing yourselves you're all of these different kind of labels - which have negative connotations associated with them - that yes, without you noticing you you have in fact MADE yourself become that person.So what happens when we start to get into the habit of telling ourselves, 'Oh, I'm charitable', 'I'm easily amused,' 'I find beauty wherever I look,' ... that's right, you guessed it... we start to cultivate happiness.Prof. Puett and Christine Gross-Loh have evidently spent years researching eastern philosophy, which is obvious when reading 'The Path' and they explain Confucius' findings far better than a twenty-five year old writer from South West London can; which is why I strongly urge you to buy their book.They explain solutions to really grasp the idea of cultivating your own happiness. AND IT'S EASY! All you have to do is "plant the seed." Create "as if rituals". I don't expect that this post will have inspired anyone in the slightest, and I guess that what I'm trying to get out of this post is don't underestimate the power of your mind. If, like me, you find yourself in constant droughts of happiness, remember... you CAN create your own happiness... it WORKS. Most of the times it's our own selves that creates negativity.Again, CHECK OUT THIS BOOK.MettaAnother thing I'd like to discuss or throw out to people, is the Buddhist meditation of Metta - aka Loving Kindness Meditation. I have been practising this meditation for many years, and at the height of my involvement - for want of a better word - I truly felt GODLY. I literally felt loving energy glowing from my body, I had never felt so happy.The idea of metta is wishing happiness and well being upon yourself, your loved ones, a person that has caused you stress, and all creatures on the planet. If you're not spiritual or into religion, I do implore you to set that aside and at least try it once. I practice as often as I can, for a minimum of 30 minutes, though when I first started I could only focus on the meditation for five minutes. This all fits under one roof, and that the cultivation of our own happiness. I have linked a guided youtube video for your convenience; I invite you to take a go just once.After a month of using metta I can guarantee your outlook and inner energy will have purified tenfold, you'll find yourself unable to stop smiling! At least that's what happened to me... damn I really need to get back on it!So that's all from me for now. Apologies this post has been such a long time coming, I've been incredibly busy getting 'Southwest on the A303' ready for release, which is in two weeks time by the way!(hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink.) If you have any other ways of cultivating your own happiness, please share in a comment down below, so that we can all benefit in the future!Let's all start bathing in our glowful joy! Who's with me?!You can purchase 'The Path' here: amazon