I feel like I have found so much happiness in my life, and a lot of this comes down to practicing gratitude.
This kind of kicked off for me after Vipassana last year. I would like to think that I've always been a somewhat grateful person, and this has grown in me over the last few years and really soared over the last 6-12 months.
Vipassana taught me to stop being so reactive in the moment, especially to what are perceived as negative experiences and feelings. I am now much better at being present in the moment, and grateful for both what that moment brings and in general for everything that I have.
Most of the time I'm able to find gratitude in most things that happen - for example if I'm in pain or sad I'm grateful for the support of friends and family, if I'm sore or knackered from painting the house I'm grateful that I have been able to buy my own home that I can now make mine, if I'm tired and don't want to get up in the morning I'm grateful that I have a career I love and am passionate about with a great team.
I didn't implement any special techniques or practices for this. It was really just a shift in my mindset to look at things with the glass half full and find the best in everything. I truly feel blessed for everything in my life, even the things that create pain, sadness, anger or defensiveness as without experiencing these I wouldn't be able to experience true happiness and be vulnerable and compassionate.
Studies show that people who practice gratitude on a regular basis experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, and express more compassion and kindness to others. I believe that what you put out influences what you get back, and by putting grateful energy out into the universe I feel like the universe gives me more happiness and joy.
This isn't to say that I'm perfect when it comes to gratitude and don't have moments where I take things for granted and complain, but by bringing gratitude into my life I have found that on the whole I'm a lot happier.
Blessings x