The glittering objects of your desire is fools gold. It will not work to make your life worthwhile. The only way you can have a good life is to reach for happiness. This is not to say that the various trappings of wealth and power you may find along the way are worthless, rather that happiness is the holiest grail.

Happiness is a state of mind. It exists inside you like an enormous perfect diamond sitting at your centre beneath the dirt of your distress. It has been there forever and will always remain. You needn’t fear for its destruction or damage. As long as you live this indomitable diamond shall shine divine.

For some this eternal touchstone is deep underground. So far from the surface of perception that it’s thrumming vibration can seem like a distant impossible tease. For others this sparkling reality that reflects all life’s colours in light is somewhat more apparent.

Regardless of your situation, happiness will largely seem smaller or shallower than in reality it is. It takes a constant easy effort to release the tide of distractions. As you allow this release of distress you will find a calm endless depth

One key to the realisation of happiness is identifying addiction. Addiction is not just about the over use of substances such as drugs; it can include almost any experience. Addiction is any behaviour you persist with that appears to work but in fact does not.

An extremely common example of addiction is anxiety. Worrying is about being prepared for problems in order to be safe or successful. Unfortunately this vigilance focuses your vision on the barbed wire instead of the gate. Worry is a purposeful behaviour that actually becomes your cage.

Happiness isn’t a habit. It’s a playful spontaneous dance. If you try to trap it, joy will slip from your grasp like the wind. Let go of your cracking concrete conceptions, heavily filled with granite and reinforced with rusting steel. Trust that what’s left will be clear crystal, illuminating the night with wonderment like a numinous infinity of stars in a cloudless sky.

Martin Hunter Jones is an honorary life member of the Australian Counselling Association. He has a Counselling and Hypnotherapy practice on the Northern Beaches. For appointments call 9973 4997.