While walking the path...

 ‘...and at the end, we learn that life is not found once the path has been walked on, if not while walking the path' (Caamano-Daou, 2018)

Sometimes we may get carried away believing that buying things will bring us happiness, fulfilling moments that make our lives complete. While things build more things, people build lives...the collection of all the moments lived with those close to us...
How we make moments happen originates in our thoughts, and they are in turn transformed into actions...that is what builds our lives...
If we practice bringing thoughts to mind about what brings us joy, then you will project joy on everything you do, and that joy or energy will bounce back to you...such as a reflection on a mirror...  

Sometimes we might get lost in pursuing achievements in society i.e. careers, driving a new car, buying the latest gadget. While these things have become a part of life, they might help to make a living but a life depends on how we live it, being us who make it not with what we have but with what we do...

We all have experienced those breath-taking moments, and we all want to stop time to live it longer; moments that take our minds to another world that may inspire us to dream...
Those are the moments that we usually become aware of happiness and living the moment.

It can always be found inside us, and the only way to bring it to the surface is by consciously appreciating the smallest thing that are there for us to see...

If we make a conscious effort to notice them , we will see them and feel them, and only then we can experience that living in the moment feeling... wherever we are.

There is always a way to brighten up our day, thinking of a daily routine for example, simple moments like having a break at work outdoors instead of indoors and then feeling the breeze of fresh air on your face, the freshness of the air, watching the trees move with the wind, seeing wildlife around you, truly enjoying the different tastes of your meal...just by taking a moment to see, hear, feel, taste...our day can be brighten already... and create a feeling that lasts longer because we have that memory to return to...
In other words, walk looking around you and not just with your mind set on the final stop. which would be...the end of the day.

‘Happiness does not depend on what you have or who you are. It solely depends on what you think’. (Buddha, n.d)

I would like to share something my friend from Nepal told me.  His words have inspired me to get out there and admire and feel the nature much more...

In the small villages of Nepal, people follow a tradition each year. 

All of the people and children in the villages pack their bags and set off on a very long hike to the top of the mountains, in the morning of New Year's Eve. 

Once they reach the top of the mountain,  they set up their sleeping bags and lie down  watching the amazing scenery of stars in the night sky...

Before sunrise they wake up and watch the beauty of the very first sunrise of New Year's Day.

Then all the people pack again and set off on their long walk back home.  They do this because they believe that seeing the first sunrise on new year's day, will bring them good luck and fortune for the whole year.

This is a good example to show that if we truly believe in something, energies created from our believe, will work in our favour and they will give us strength and lead us to the path we want to take.

'Sea of Stars' painting by Lucia Daou

These moments are what truly makes a life, moments that cannot be taken away from us, and that make us feel how extraordinary life is...

 Written by: Stef Caamano

Painting done by: Lucia Daou

Album, Mis cuadros [https://www.facebook.com/ldaou1/media_set?set=a.418109065909.199342.679795909&type=3]

References: 

Buddha, G. (n.d.), 'Good Reads' [Online]. Available at: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/887688-happiness-does-not-depend-on-what-you-have-or-who. [Accessed 23.03.2018]