The Mindfulness Blog

The late Cass Elliot (formerly of The Mamas & The Papas) had a tremendous voice, and during her solo career popularized the song that serves as the title to this post. Rest in peace, Mama Cass-- and thanks for the reminder!

Happiness-- like wellbeing-- is an elusive state, but I can't think of a more apt description for either, than making our own kind of music -- unique to each of us, personal and utterly contagious (in a good way). Also, happiness-- like wellbeing-- is ephemeral.

That's where mindfulness and meditation come into play. Cultivating an awareness of happiness (or wellbeing), without attaching to them. Feeling them and absolutely loving them but allowing them pass, when they've run their course. And that time always comes-- it's just the nature of things. Especially things as ever-changing and amorphous as happiness, or wellbeing.

Of course, it's entirely natural to want them to stay and never change, but we all know that's not the way the world works. So, is there anything we can do? I try to feel grateful. Grateful that happiness, or a sense of wellbeing, has come at all. Because happiness-- like wellbeing-- is promised to nobody.

The body is much like a house in which we live, and happiness-- much like wellbeing-- is simply a visitor. They both come and go, of their own volition and with very little input from us. And for those of us who enjoy their company, we should be grateful-- it sure beats the alternative.

Gratitude is my kind of music-- what's yours?