As a teenager going through some rough times related to childhood trauma, I found myself wondering about this mysterious thing called "happiness." That curiosity led me to discover Zen Buddhism, where I 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 hooked on mindfulness meditation.

Meanwhile, I went on to earn my degree in Counseling Psychology and worked for many years as a behavioral health specialist. I often introduced mindfulness and CBT exercises to my clients, helping them manage their stress, handle difficult emotions, and reduce their anxiety. Later, as a wellness coach working with cardiovascular patients, I taught these exercises to my clients, helping them lower their blood pressure, boost their immune system, and modify their at-risk behavior and lifestyle choices.

Here’s what I 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 of us. They’re part of who we are. Like old friends, they’re waiting to welcome us home again. Somewhere along the way, stress has complicated our lives, and we’ve lost touch.

To reconnect, we need to start paying more attention to each moment as if it were a heartwarming gift, waiting to be opened. 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.”