So many of us are feeling stuck in our lives, searching for something we seem to flirt with and skirt around through life: true happiness.

We attend motivational conferences, read self-help books, change careers, see counselors, and take up meditation and yoga – all in the hopes of finding that nugget of information; that light at the end of the tunnel; the “aha” moment; that magical idea which will lead us to a truly happy place in our lives.

Sometimes using these methodologies we find what we need, and go for it.

And sometimes, we leave that motivational conference hopped up and, well, motivated, only for the adrenaline from the event to dissipate within a week. We end up searching for that perfect career/partner/balance/life all over again.

I write about this because I’ve done it all – over and over again. My bookshelf was stacked with self-help issues. I took courses and saw career counselors. I put myself through aptitude tests and attended conferences. I did yoga with the best of them. I filled my agenda with so many activities in search of a happy life, ultimately I burnt out entirely.

And although I am still constantly searching for something (hence the life of a nomadic Professional Hobo – travelers are always searching for something), I can also honestly say I’m happier now than I ever have been, and have found a calling of sorts.

I got the golden nugget; had an “aha” moment; and ran with it. Here’s how you can do it too:

Think of five moments in your life when everything flowed.

All was good, and you found yourself the happiest you’ve ever been. Everything just clicked.

Write it down.

Describe those moments in as much detail as you possibly can. What happened? Where were you? How old were you? Who was with you? What were you doing?

Bring yourself back to those very moments as much as you can, right down to the smell in the air.

See? You’re already feeling happier. But you’re not finished yet.

Find the commonalities between all these moments.

Is there a theme at all? Were you in solitude or surrounded by people? Were you outdoors or in? Was it summer or winter? Working or on vacation? Were you a child, teenager, or adult? Were you on stage? Learning something new? Or teaching somebody?

If you can’t connect the dots with a theme, try to discern what exactly it was about each moment that made you happy and define that instead.

Now…

How can you get to that happy place again?

If you realize the biggest common denominator was one of mentorship or teaching, what can you do now to incorporate it into your life again? If you’re not up for a career change to become a teacher, can you volunteer as a big brother or big sister? Or start a small side business or club showing other people how to do that thing you love, like scrap-booking or climbing?

If the common theme was that you were on vacation, then how can you change your life accordingly? What specifically about the vacations made you happy? Exploration? Adventure? Something different and new? Doing absolutely nothing? Or just being away from your crappy job? If it’s the latter, then your first big step is obviously to get another job! And maybe that job could be abroad…

By bringing yourself back to those “happy places” mentally and emotionally, you stand a chance of getting back there again. It’s along the same lines as creating vision boards, playing the prosperity game, and brainstorming up a variety of ways to change your life with no restrictions or judgment.

Just get yourself thinking about the possibilities, and remembering the good times, and you just may find that “aha” moment you have been searching for.