When we feel helpless to affect our external world, and the space between what we want and what we have feels too broad to reconcile, it can be helpful to go within and seek a stillness that is less vulnerable to the inevitable shifts around us.

Sometimes it can feel easier to distract ourselves into experiencing happiness. We can purchase something, binge watch our favorite T.V. show, or indulge in too many sweets.

But when the purchases lose their novelty, or we’ve watched all the episodes of our favorite show, we can find ourselves back at square one.

In truth, our happiness does not depend upon people, activities, or things. It exists in spite of them.

When we uncover the truth about our innate happiness, we can sustain that experience no matter what our outer world looks like.

Ironically, it’s when we’re in the midst of turmoil that it can be the most useful to have this understanding, and most difficult to see this truth.

That’s why it’s so important to create a practice – a habit of happiness. It’s not a destination, nor a condition that we’re seeking. It’s a choice.

In The Book Of Joy, the Dalai Lama XIV states,

the three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to re-frame our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.

Dalai Lama XIV

If you’re struggling this December, finding your memories of holiday’s past to be in stark contrast to your present, consider building a practice of happiness.

Make the choice to speak to yourself with kindness and understanding, seek out opportunities to express gratitude, and have faith that things will work out.

Trust me when I say the effects of such a practice long outlast the sweet taste of any cookie, or the novelty of any purchase.

And if you’re looking for ways to express your gratitude towards those around you, log into the S.E.R.V. library to download this free printable. You can use it to create small note cards (which is what I did) and leave bits of gratitude everywhere you roam.

Be well everyone and may your habit of happiness fill you with the joy and delight you’re seeking this holiday season.

Subscribe below to gain access to the S.E.R.V. library where you can download this tutorial + printable.

---

Love this post?