Back when I was a teenager going through some rough times, I found myself wondering about this mysterious thing called the "secret to happiness." That curiosity led me to discover Zen Buddhism, where I first learned how powerful it can be to focus on the present moment instead of getting caught up in the past or future. Before I knew it, I was diving into mindfulness meditation. It’s turned into a practice that’s stuck with me ever since.

Meanwhile, I went on to earn my degree in Counseling Psychology and worked for many years as a mental health counselor. I often introduced mindfulness exercises to my clients, helping them manage their stress, handle difficult emotions, and reduce their anxiety, depression, and chemical dependency. Later, as a wellness coach working with cardiovascular patients, I saw how mindfulness helped lower their blood pressure, boost their immune system, and modify their at-risk behavior.

Here’s what I eventually realized about the secret to happiness—it’s not about landing a dream job, finding the perfect relationship, or sailing around on a fancy yacht. Peace, joy, love, contentment…these are already inside us. They’re part of who we are. Like old friends, they’re waiting to see us again. Somewhere along the way, stress has complicated our lives, and we’ve lost touch.

To reconnect, we need to start paying attention to each moment as if it’s a heartwarming gift waiting to be opened. Mindfulness helps bring us back home, where happiness is standing at the door, ready to welcome us in. As the wise Dorothy once said, “If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”