Be Happy.
It’s official. The key to our happiness is in the present moment.
There’s a fundamental teaching in sociology and psychology that says, “If you are happy, success ensues.” It’s not the other way around, despite the relentless American hustle suggesting otherwise. So, when are we most happy? And why does happiness feel so fleeting?
Eastern philosophers were ahead of the curve on this elusive topic for centuries, but now modern researchers agree: we’re happiest when we’re in the present moment. In fact, a landmark Harvard study found that people are significantly happier when their minds are fully engaged in the here and now—even when their current activity isn’t particularly enjoyable. The startling takeaway? Our wandering minds, which stray from the present about 50% of the time, might be the real culprits behind our dissatisfaction.
This revelation is particularly tough in today’s thrill-seeking, hyper-distracted age. Notifications, endless to-do lists, and an addiction to productivity keep us perpetually looking ahead—or yearning for the past. But when we’re consumed by memories or fantasies, we’re missing life’s most profound offering: this very moment.
Fair warning: Don’t confuse present with pleasant. Chasing after pleasure is a waste of energy. Viktor E. Frankl said it best: “Happiness cannot be pursued; it must ensue.” To truly live in the moment, we must surrender to what is—whether it’s joyful, painful, or somewhere in between. This doesn’t mean we resign ourselves to misery; it means we embrace every moment as it is, not as we wish it to be.
And here’s the magic: mindfulness rewires the way we experience life. When we let go of our obsession with how things should be, we open ourselves to a deeper, more lasting happiness—one that isn’t tied to external circumstances. We begin to understand that even in discomfort or loss, there’s beauty and growth.
Yoga is built on this very foundation. Through breath and posture work, we train our minds to focus, quiet the noise, and take on the role of the enlightened observer. It’s a practice of presence, teaching us to fully inhabit our bodies and our lives. With fewer distractions, magic unfolds. We think less and feel more. And as we feel, we heal. Ordinary sensations become extraordinary, and we reconnect with the simple, unshakable joy of being alive.
Practical tools like yoga and mindfulness help us harness this power of presence. But it doesn’t end there. The beauty of being in the moment is that it doesn’t require a specific setting, a perfect sequence, or even a calm environment. Happiness can be found in the rhythm of your breath, the sound of rain, or the warmth of the sun on your skin. It’s available here and now—if we’re willing to slow down and notice.
Get on your mat this week and rein in your wandering mind. The world won’t stop spinning, but your sense of peace will grow. In the simplicity of being here, you’ll rediscover what happiness truly means.
Metta,
Drewsome.
