Happiness is the meaning and purpose of life

[quantumcupcakes]

I miss being happy. I know that sounds like a silly thing to say, but I do. I miss the feeling I had last year that life was good. I also know that happiness is a state of mind, it's something that we have to find, not something that just appears out of nowhere.

As a step toward rediscovering my feelings of pleasure and contentment and well-being, I am going to make a concerted effort this coming week to try to not complain about anything.

Also, this evening I meditated for the first time. I've got an app on my phone called Headspace and it has this 'basics' course. It was a three-minute introduction and focused on just sitting and breathing, on... feeling your breaths. I couldn't find a comfortable seated position but ended up laying on my back on the floor, arms at my sides, knees bent and feet digging into the carpet. It was much more relaxing than I expected it to be.

It made me miss going to yoga or pilates classes so I'm wondering if it's a sign that I'm ready to get back to them. I guess there's only one way to find out!

Comments

[theuncertainhour]

I used Headspace for a while and it really helped - I hope you have a good experience with it!

[glinda]

I find it really difficult to meditate sitting down, lying on the floor (or my bed) works much better for me - also I think it's easier to open your chest/lungs properly for the breathing exercises that way. I hope it helps you find your way back to happiness.

[zetetopia]

I also really recommend the app Waking Up for some excellent mindfulness meditations!

[opakele]

I use Insight Timer and enjoy the variety.

Lots of guided meditations favor a seated position, but I prefer to lie down. I even bought a meditation cushion to see if that helped, but I rarely use it.

I walk at lunch and listen to Tara Brock. I like her podcasts and they help shape my meditation. Not that I am thinking while I meditate, but how I reflect on my meditation after the fact.

It has been life changing for me.

[strangelyjonathan]

It's not a silly thing to say, and I feel like I'm in the same place - not sure why, as I have some what should be fun things on the calendar. I think I'm going to go back to yoga classes and see if that helps.