Like many of us I'm living through a period of terrible worry and uncertainty, so both of these exercises are a necessary and constant challenge.
I'm generally unhappy most of the time at the moment, so as well as trying to assume the mantle of happiness, I'm also making a real effort to find pleasure in the small things in life, the moments, rather than the big full on laugh. I'm very grateful for the posts from Jundo and Kyonin - I would love to visit Japan, but as it's unlikely ever to happen, I'm really loving being along for the journey vicariously and that's bringing me a lot of pleasure.
Today I got a letter from the UK Health Service warning me that I may lose my Health Service benefits if/when Brexit happens. Apart from the anger at losing a benefit that I paid into all my working life, not having any health cover is causing me huge anxiety. However, when I received the letter, which I had been expecting, it was as if my anxiety had peaked - or maybe I just can't pile on any more - and I put the letter aside with a surprising degree of equanimity. This in itself actually helped to generate more equanimity around what might happen to me in the future, I feel encouraged that I can still find that balance.
Metta to all of us who are going through difficult times - but really, what a time to be alive!
Gassho
Meitou
sattodaylah