Three Steps to Happiness

This story was originally published on Thavin and Marcob. Check that out here.

This past week felt special and radiant with no major events on the calendar because it was full of everyday magic.

The concept of noticing every day magical moments came to me on a trail run. Running is my main fitness activity and as my feet pound the trail I ponder. The act of running and the solitude helps me through dilemmas and gives me much needed release.

When I analyze a concept I have to chunk it into smaller pieces in order to understand it and teach it. As a coach, I have to take large problems and bust them up into manageable pieces. While thinking about my own happiness my thought pattern determined it is not large events that create the happy feeling. Instead, it is mini actions and the mindset I have about a situation which yields the euphoria. If I can recreate these mini actions that are personal to me, then every day happiness can be achieved.

According to Harvard Medical School, “In positive psychology research, gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness. Gratitude helps people feel more positive emotions, relish good experiences, improve their health, deal with adversity, and build strong relationships.”