The fourth Advent will be celebrated very soon. I traditionally associate these days with contemplation and reflection. In this pandemic year, things are different. Because even if it's not like war - which some people claim - worried faces and uncertainty prevail. And it affects us all, to varying degrees.
Perhaps it's precisely because this time of year is so difficult that I'm longing for a few rays of sunshine for the soul. Do you too? It might help to consciously think about happiness and ask yourself what exactly it is. Is it the big moments in life such as your 18th birthday, holding a degree in your hand, marriage, the birth of a child, a career leap? Is happiness more likely to be found in phases that last longer than a moment or is it the small events that we often overlook? Like a smile - currently often only visible in the eyes - a small gesture, a surprise or a kind word?
Everyone can probably define happiness best for themselves. I would like to encourage you to be more mindful in your everyday life and to see and feel small moments of happiness for yourself. How great would it be to consciously perceive happiness every day, to give it away yourself and thus multiply it?
Contentment, hope and gratitude are always part of happiness. A nice side effect - with positive feelings you can do a lot for your (cardiovascular) health. What better time to do this than right now?