What does well-being feel like for you?
We know it when we feel it,
And it can encompass many things.
It's that delicious feeling of contentment,
A sense that all's well in the world when we literally want for nothing.
But all of us sometimes face challenges,
And times in our life when it can seem more elusive and mere memory.
Understanding where emotional and mental wellness comes from,
And discovering how we can have more of it isn't always straightforward.
But once we understand the truth about well-being,
Then no matter what bumps and storms life brings us,
We know we are unshakable.
So where does well-being come from?
We're taught from such a young age that it comes from the things we own,
The car we drive,
The house we live in,
How we look,
Or the impressive job title we have.
Spend any time scrolling through social media,
And it can also seem as if well-being comes from complicated self-care routines,
And how often we are able to book ourselves into an exclusive spa.
But it's funny how these practices that so often begin as nurturing routines,
Can quickly deteriorate into yet another set of chores to be completed each day.
And there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing these activities,
Especially when they're something we enjoy doing.
We're simply getting it the wrong way around when we do them to reach a specific goal of feeling good about ourselves,
When we start to believe that doing them is essential to our well-being.
The truth is that well-being is already ours.
There's nothing we need to buy or do to uncover it.
Endless routines or self-care practices are not required to maintain it.
We have it now,
No matter what else is going on in our lives.
It comes as part of our innate humanness.
I get that this can seem unrealistic when we're up to our eyes in difficulties in our own life,
Or overwhelmed with events in the wider world.
But well-being isn't about complication or adding anything extra to our lives.
It's far more simple than that.
Even in the most trying of circumstances,
The most difficult of episodes in our lives,
All of us can point to moments when we gasped at the incredible beauty of a starry sky,
Shared a deep connection with a loved one,
Or felt inspired and touched when hearing of acts of kindness or heroicism.
During these moments,
However quickly they pass,
We sense the truth of this deep sense of peace,
And realise that it was never about having to do or try to create the right conditions.
The more we see that it was about falling into a feeling.
I'm sure you know what I'm talking about here.
These experiences are common to us all.
Admittedly,
They may seem more obvious when we're on holiday or doing something we enjoy,
But they can be found among the routings of daily life.
This sense of well-being naturally develops as we settle down and slow our minds and our lives,
As we notice the world as it is in this moment.
What in effect we're doing is turning down and tuning out the loud voice in our head,
So that we can hear the quiet,
Always present,
Gentle whispering of our soul.
The voice that knows there is nothing wrong with us,
That we're not broken,
And that all is well.
So if you're interested in uncovering your own innate well-being,
Trust is already here.
Take one or two deep breaths and be with yourself now,
In this moment.
As you start to recognise your innate tranquillity,
I promise you it will become an even greater part of your life.
And you will know it's always there with you,
No matter what the circumstances of your life.
And that,
I suggest,
Is true well-being.
