Happiness is....

Afternoon light in the garden

What makes you happy? I have two favourite places to be which never fail to make me smile. The first is the beach and the second is my garden.

Going for a walk in the morning along the beach is full of delights. The beach changes every day, even from hour to hour depending on the tides, wind and weather. I prefer the wild surf beaches to the calm of a bay although some small inlets and bays are exquisitely beautiful.

My garden is my next favourite place to be. Creating a sitting nook where there is morning sun, when the flowers are out and having breakfast or morning coffee listening to the birds and watching butterflies - pure bliss. Then in the late afternoon outside watering, a time to wind down from the day and get ready for the evening.

I often think of Monet and his passion for the garden. He designed his garden so that he could paint it in all lights and all seasons. His waterlilies paintings are famous. My grandmother could always be found at 6am in the summer out in the garden. Like her I have developed a passion for a garden filled with flowers.

I try to pick fresh flowers from the garden on a Saturday as part of my house routine. Hang the Saturday wash, do a bit of cleaning, put out some flowers around the house. I always wanted a garden which I could pick from all year round. It is still a work in progress.

I think of these things that make me happy as I prepare for December - I am taking part in a 24 Days of Happiness Advent calendar. There are four of us who have made 2 minute videos about everything from wellbeing to creativity, to bring the gift of happiness to others in the 24 days lead up to Christmas. To invite happiness into your life, you can join here for free.

Click on the image to watch the video where we introduce you to 24 Days of Happiness.