Happy-Making: Do Something Real

It's so easy to get caught up in the virtual, the day-to-day, the to-do lists and the should-do lists.I do it all the time. One minute I'm waking up, making the bed, having a stretch. The next I'm doing the lunch routine and wondering where the morning went. Suddenly it's six at night, the kids are exhausted and mama wants bedtime to hurry up so she can go for a run. Or drink a glass of wine. (Depending on the day).Leo Babauta of Zen Habits once wrote:

How can you bring calm and peace to the middle of a stress-ful, chaotic day?The answer is simple, though not always so easy to put into practice: learn to be present.

He goes on to talk about finding contentment in whatever it is that you are doing - right this very second. Regardless of whether that is ironing, playing in the sandpit with your kids, working on a paper, gardening or paying bills. Just be totally present and soak up that single act. Then move on to the next thing.To me, it sounds great, and I can appreciate that it does help promote happiness and contentment. But sometimes, to be perfectly honest with you... it's just not going to happen.There are interrupting phonecalls, there are sick kids, there are appointments that run late, there are neighbours who pop over at inopportune times.So I suggest this:Once a day, or more if you can, do something real.

• Go for a run in the rain
• Head outside and dig in the dirt, breathing in that incredible scent
• Water the garden
• Yoga on the balcony or lawn
• Draw a picture
• Do cartwheels

I'm an introvert, so my real things are often alone things, or quiet, contemplative things.Whatever your real thing is, make sure it speaks to you. You'll know it when you feel it. It feels restorative. You get a buzz and feel refueled. You feel proud and strong.Two or three minutes is all you need. But the benefit will last for hours, maybe longer. Days even.So this weekend's happy-making mission is:

Do Something Real.

Then come back and tell us about it.Have a wonderful weekend, friends.{PS. For anyone wondering: the decision has been made. Exciting times ahead, and we don't look back.}