Apparently they have found the “happiest person in the world”. He was selected from information given from thousands of Americans who reported what the demographics would be of the happiest person alive. So now we know, Alvin Wong lives in Hawaii and will forever be known as the happiest person alive in 2011.

I find this perplexing and somewhat disturbing. Disturbing, as it was apparently only Americans sharing their opinion of happiness for the world title and perplexing, as we have such a desire to “be” happy.

There are over 170 million hits that come up in Google when you search for “happy books”, we continually see movies being made where the main characters are pursuing happiness and we, on a day to day basis ask and demand happiness of ourselves and others.

Why is this a pursuit? Why do we have a tendency to feel as though we have failed if this is not achieved or felt frequently?

In the book, Happier by Tal Ben-Shahar, he states that happiness is ‘the overall experience of pleasure and meaning’ and goes to explain that this definition is not to be focused on a single moment but should better reflect the totality of one’s experience. That when your life is completed you can look back on everything – the good, the bad, the beautiful as well as the ugly and that that, is happiness. It comes from the summation of an experience, not the individual moments. This works for me, as I think it is a more realistic and manageable feat.

So many of us feel as though we should always be on top; always managing, succeeding, doing and being what we deem a happy person ‘should’. But this doesn’t take into consideration for the natural and necessary ebbs and flow that life provides and for your individual journey. The seasons of nature are here with purpose to remind us of this rhythm.

Happiness is great, but I think what is better still, is authenticity for what is. For me, there is no greater experience than being ok with where I am, when I’m there. And that could be anywhere within the seasons of life…I think that creates the best happiness possible, accepting what is compared to what “should be”.

It’s interesting hearing people say that they need to walk their dog everyday. People will go out in all kinds of weather to ensure their pet has been adequately exercised and had time to breathe in the fresh air.

I find this interesting because you seldom hear someone say that they need to walk themselves or take the necessary time outside.

It seems ridiculous to think we don’t value ourselves enough to ensure we have the benefit of being outside, even if it is just for 15 minutes of our day. This time allows for reflection, contemplation and ultimately balance, in this busy world that we live in.

If you have a pet that needs time outside, great…and if you don’t, consider making yourself the priority. See what happens when you are included in the season, allowing nature to be apart of your life. Almost always you will be met with relaxation and an overall sense of wellbeing, shaking the stress off from the day.

And if you’re not sure, watch a dog after it’s been out for a walk. What wonderful teachers, these furry creatures are.

Many of us are told to take a deep breath when we feel stressed, anxious or worried. And there have been several studies indicating the importance and relevance of deep breathing in the reduction of heart rate, blood pressure and overall stress levels.

I once read an article relating the act of inspiration (to take a breath in) and feeling inspired (evoking creative thought). Yesterday, when I was out for a run and feeling my breathing rate increase and my body starting to ache, I decided to put it to the test. I focused on taking deep, full breaths and waited to see what would come. The first breath made me feel more in control again when just a moment before I wanted to stop the run and walk. The second breath brought my stress levels down and I became a little more relaxed. As the breathing increased I started enjoying myself again, noticing how beautiful of a day it was. I noticed the colour of the leaves, butterflies flying and just how windy it was. Amazing how in a few moments, you can turn a situation around, literally feeling inspired with renewed energy, focus and perhaps appreciation.

I often forget to take those deep breaths amongst a busy day, but when I do, I am always amazed at the powerful effect this simple act can have. Next time you need a break, a shift or wish to feel inspired, take a deep breath for a few moments and you may be surprised with the outcome.

In my last entry, I spoke about the book Eat Pray Love, reflecting upon the authors’ pursuits for pleasure, devotion and finally balance. Recently, I attended a meditation seminar, where you are asked to meditate for 10 hours each day in silence for a duration of 10 days.

Now some would ask, why? Why do something so severe, so drastic and so difficult? And yes, it is all those things. But sometimes the pendulum of life swings so far in one direction, that you need to do something to counter balance. And that is exactly what I did.

Waking up at 4 am in the morning to begin a day of meditation was enjoyable at first. It seemed almost movie-esque in nature. A large bell is rung and you slowly shuffle in the darkness and solace of predawn to the meditation hall where you sit perched trying to find a comfortable position to place yourself for the next 120 minutes. But the movie-esque quality fades fast when your joints are aching and your muscles burning, desperately pleading with you to move, to change position. Fighting is your body, but this battle will be nothing as to what goes on in your mind.

The first few days were so difficult, as your mind and body rebel against this new routine. Neither are used to sitting still, to sticking to a strict and rigorous schedule and it’s amazing what thoughts and insights come in that stillness.

In one of my meditations I actually visualized my mind like a rhino trying to break free. The rhino was in a confined area and was running, plowing through everything to free itself. I envisioned myself trying to headlock this great beast, but it was to no avail, as this animal was determined to get out!

But each day, you surrender a little more, you sink into the silence and at the end of my meditation I saw the rhino again, but this time I was hugging her…we had made friends.

Now, you may be asking balance…where is the balance in all this? And I agree completely. Where is balance when you have such an extreme experience? One week into my meditation I had a strong urge to go home, that I was finished for some reason. This wasn’t the plan, I was sure I would stay and finish the 10 days, but this wasn’t usual urging that you fight with at the front end of such an endeavor, this was my mind asking to go home, to be somewhere balanced. It had received what it needed and it was time to use it. So, I left and how happy I was when I arrived home to receive a message needing an urgent reply and immediate attention. I listened to my mind and it was good I did. I also had time to incorporate what I learned into real life. I have meditated everyday since. Not for hour intervals yet or waking at 4 am to do so, but it’s in me. Stillness is now a friend, creating a space to listen and through the experience I have remembered how important it is to try different things, to sit through discomfort knowing that it too shall pass but also being comfortable enough to say goodbye when something has served its purpose and is finished.

I wish for you all a time of balance in a busy world…however you find it, may it bring you peace.

I find it intriguing that the week before I head off for a 10-day meditation retreat, I found a book that was lost for 2 years.A little old book – maybe you’ve heard of it – Eat Pray Love.I say this with a smile, as this little old book has sold over millions of copies and has now become a feature film to be released in August, starring Julia Roberts.

It’s not too often that a person’s story resonates with the masses, the way Elizabeth Gilbert’s account of her year abroad after an arduous and difficult divorce.There is something in the way she writes, a delicate balance of humility and humour, of insight and intrigue into the way we deal with the shadow and light aspects of our personalities and our lives.

For those of you who do not know the story, the premise is: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia.She spends 4 months in Italy pursuing pleasure and she finds this mostly through delicious foods; 4 months in India pursuing devotion through meditation at an ashram and 4 months in Indonesia pursing balance where she strives to find an answer to the question, ”how to live in this world and enjoy its delights, but also devote myself to God?”

I marvel at the timing of finding this book, as I am heading out for a meditation retreat where 10 days will be spent meditating for 10 hours each day and the whole while, doing so in silence.Now, I realize this is not balance, not in the least…just as the first 2 journeys of Gilbert’s trip were not either.Her first trip to Italy, where pleasure was sought out, reminds me of the world we live in.In a moment, if I am bored I can watch something on the television or Internet.If I’m lonely I can call, email, text, video chat or drive to see anyone.I can book a flight ticket online and the next day step onto another province/country/continent.I can eat any cultural food I wish, wear whatever clothing I feel moved to and read whatever I can get my hands on.It’s amazing the variety and plentitude of options we have.

So why am I meditating and leaving all these opportunities?I think something so extreme is sometimes necessary to create balance.If you swing so far on the pendulum in one regard, the natural rhythm of life will swing you in the opposite direction.I’m sure when I return, meditation will not take place for hours everyday, maybe not even at all…but at least a break will be made, a chance to stop and think and let the pendulum finds its own balance.

Maybe that balance for you will be taking time to sit outside at night, even for a few minutes to listen to nature, maybe it will be watching the sun as it rises/sets taking some time to take the colours in, maybe it will be taking time to prepare your favourite dish, or taking yourself out for a movie.Whatever the case may be, it may not feel like balance at first, it could even feel selfish, but remember the pendulum.You don’t want to be too far on one side, before life swings you back and you don’t need to eat Italian food or meditate at an ashram to get there either.Whatever way you can, create that balance and you’ll be better off for it.