Savoring the Moment

Daniel H. Johnston, Ph.D.
Macon, Georgia
(478) 954-2460

Martin Seligman in his book "Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment" tells us that happiness can be readily enhanced when we intentionally savor our happy moments.

Savoring the moment is simple in concept. It means to fully appreciate whatever we're experiencing. The problem is that in order to savor something we must be aware of it when it's happening, and with the frantic pace of modern life, many enjoyable moments pass us by because we often are distracted from or inattentive to them.

Such moments may be as common and ordinary as the warmth of beach sand under your feet, the first colorful day of autumn, the taste of a favorite dessert, or observing your child's delight with her new puppy.

The initial step for savoring a happy moment is slowing down enough to be able to identify one.

Once happy moments are recognized, there are four options for savoring them. You can "bask" in the physical pleasure of the experience - the warm sand. You may "marvel" at the wonder of the beauty before you - the leaves of fall. You could choose to "luxuriate" in something desirable but not necessary - the sweetness of the dessert. Or, you can engage in "thanksgiving" for what you are offered - your child and the puppy.

No matter which of these options is chosen, you can further enhance the happiness of any of occasion by practicing one or more of four savoring techniques that will intensify the experience. These happiness enhancing skills are sharing, memory building, perception sharpening, and absorption.

* Sharing is simply calling attention to the experience as it happens and inviting other people to participate in it. A comment on the cuteness of the puppy would suffice.

* You engage in memory building by capturing a mental image of the moment or by taking a souvenir, such as a seashell, so that you can later reminisce about what happened.

* Sharpen your experience by focusing perception on specifics such as the exact texture of the beach sand or the quirky way the breeze is whirling the colorful leaves across the lawn.

* And, let yourself become fully absorbed in the present experience. Don't allow your mind to be distracted by other things such as comparing the current event to how you had hoped it would be or by jumping ahead in anticipation of what may coming next. Just enjoy what is.

While it is true that you can become a happier person by savoring your happy moments, this practice does require energy and effort. As Benjamin Franklin liked to remind us, "The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself."