Martin Seligman has done some wonderful research on happiness. He found the only common factor in ‘very happy people’ was the presence of quality relationships. A common misconception about happiness is that it’s ‘found, achieved, or attained’ when in reality, happiness is more like a heart beat, it’s always with you, it’s just much of the time we don’t notice it because were too busy.

My take on happiness in Australia is that when people start consciously living according to their own values (ie. What’s really important to them deep down) then happiness naturally becomes part of their lives. It comes along when you start noticing the good things in your life and the more you notice, the more comes along.

Unfortunately many Australians fall into the trap of ‘When/ Then happiness’ which is a state where they constantly say to themselves – “When I pass my exams then I’ll be happy; When I get into Uni, Then I’ll be happy; When I get married, Then I’ll be happy.” It’s a cycle no one can win and keeps people in a perpetual state of discontent.

So today, rather than focus on what you don’t have, focus on nurturing the important relationships in your life with the people you love and notice how happiness simply settles comfortably in your life like a warm cat curling up on your lap at every chance it gets. Perrrrrrrfect!