#255 'Golden moments'
Mindful that tomorrow is the International Day of Happiness*, it seems apt to share this simple, yet effective daily practice.
This was shared in a Professional Development session I attended years ago (truth be told, last millennium) where the focus was (before it became the mantra of many) on mindfulness.
Aware of the demands and reality of working in tough inner city schools, we were invited to consider events/activities that occur on a daily basis and which could be termed as ‘golden moments’ or ‘magic moments’.
Those are the moments just for you in which you can take a few moments from the chaos and craziness to breathe and ground yourself.
I recall a colleague gleefully sharing that each morning she would - holding her mug of coffee, feeling the warmth on her hands, the steam on her face with her beloved Jacques Brel playing in the background - take a few moments for herself. This simple act was a ‘magic moment’ and a morning ritual to which she held dear
Despite not being religious, the Adhan/Azaan [the Islamic call to prayer] each and every morning while living in Kuala Lumpur was very calming and centring.
Being near the Equator, the prayer times do not alter greatly throughout the year and so the first call to prayer of the day was always around 06.00.
While still dark, and before traffic took hold of the city, the call to prayer was ethereal.
It was a time to stop, pause, and take a breath.
It was, for me, a ‘golden moment’ each and every morning and helped ground me and set the tone of the day ahead for me.
Here in Paris, my ‘golden moments’ include:
Making and drinking my morning espresso (to be honest, that should be coffees?)
Catching sight of the Eiffel Tower as I walk to and from home (all the better if it’s dark and it’s lit up and, if on the hour, seeing the sparkles which last for five minutes)
Eating freshly baked baguette on the way home after a friendly chat with the staff in my local boulangerie
My evening walks (great for having space to think not to mention good for my health as the daily steps/kilometres add up)
Taking photos of things that catch my eye, be it flowers, architecture or something more mundane
Reading Light's Daily Dose emails (inspirational and somehow they always seem to be a propos)
Speaking with friends and loved ones in person or via WhatsApp/emails, be the conversations light hearted and fun or deep and emotional
Yoga and a standing coffee morning date with friends (respectively on Wednesdays and Sundays, so not daily, but weekly ‘golden moments’)
In my experience, ‘Golden moments’ make a good day even better and a challenging day more manageable.
I invite you to reflect on how you achieve happiness and well-being for yourself.
Does the notion of integrating ‘magic moments’ throughout the day resonate with you?
I challenge you to take the time to stop, pause, and take a breath; to create your own ‘golden moments’ during your day; and to reflect on what you do and/or can do to bring (more) happiness and wellbeing into your daily life.
* “The General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution 66/281 of 12 July 2012 proclaimed 20 March the International Day of Happiness, recognizing the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of human beings around the world and the importance of their recognition in public policy objectives. It also recognized the need for a more inclusive, equitable and balanced approach to economic growth that promotes sustainable development, poverty eradication, happiness and the well-being of all peoples.”
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