Ok let's go! Welcome to the Dr. Feelgood site. Day 1. I guess that I hope to do each week is offer subtle thoughts and insights as to how we might all make adjustments in our lives to help them run more smoothly and with greater insight. I refrain from suggesting that anything I say will make us permanntly happier. I have never believed that happiness is an eternal arrival point; something that we can create as a constant. Happiness is an ice-cream, a movie or a good novel, it has a begining, middle and end. Much as we think we would like it to be a constant like the ice-cream we would become too full, would become immune to its joy and soon be seeking out distractions and sorbet. No, happiness should be experienced in pockets of time.

The art of living is about developing an understanding of ourselves and a greater sense of awareness as to what the conditions are to create those moments of happiness, joy and contentment.

Lets make a list!Grab a sheet of paper and a pen.Make a tea, coffee or grab a cold beer from the fridge. Set a side 30 mins of uninterupted time. Now, make a 'Moments of joy'list. On it write down as many things as you can that are tried and tested pleasures. Try to add the simple and the complex,the momentry and the planned.You might for example include some of the following; fresh coffee, a walk in the park, swimming in cold water, beaches, playing chess, phoning a friend, weekends away, a live concert..and so it goes on! You might even allow yourself to drift back in time? What things did you used to do but have given up or even forgotten you once enjoyed. Add them to the list. Keep the list updated. I have a small notebook with over 300 'Moments of Pleasure.'from the rediculous to the sublime.

Now in the time you have left with your coffee or cold beer, select 3 to target for the next week.Plan them. Do not presume they will happen. We are not entitled to these moments. We have to make them happen. We have to take control and actively seek them out. Go! Do it and find or re-find your pockets of pleasure and moments of joy.

Good luck.
p.s. DO THIS WITH A FRIEND OR PARTNER, SWAP LISTS, REMIND EACH OTHER, WRITE A JOINT LIST OF THINGS TO DO TOGETHER. BUT ACTIVELY DO THEM!!