I find Moodscope an invaluable tool in tracking my ups and downs. It helps keep track and put things into perspective. Lately, for example, I've had a lot on my plate, travelling a lot, socialising and indulging in the less healthy pleasures of life slightly more than my fair share and have returned from my travels quite exhausted.

It would have been easy to just think about that and get down about it. Moodscope, my daily moment of reflection and mindfulness of self, allowed me to remember that despite feeling physically less than great, I'm richer by a whole lot of amazing experiences. I have spent a great and exciting time with friends and loved ones, and despite feeling quite beat on one level, I have lots to be grateful for and happy about.

In the days of travelling and people-meeting out there in the hilly landscape of Czech-Moravian border, I barely thought about being online and managed to stay offline most days and even when I did got on the net, it was just to briefly check for important e-mails and messages. A success for, I must shamefully admit, a typical twenty first century internet addict and a master procrastinator (feel free to laugh, most of us have been there, right?).

It was upon my return, and finding my mailbox flooded with, amongst other things, my Moodscope reminders and a mild chastising for being offline for a whole week, that I realised the dual nature of the problem, one of the many pairs of seemingly contradictory truths that one has to juggle in the right way if you are to become and stay happy.

Yes. Any kind of treatment and helping tool performs best when used regularly. But it is also true that some of our happiest, most lasting memories happen offline, off-grid, perhaps when our mobile phones have no signal, or, when we simply dare to turn them off. The 'dare' in the previous sentence is very deliberate. The expectation of being constantly available is one of the darker sides of being so well connected thanks to modern technologies. It can make it harder to relax, to let go, to properly rest. It can invade attempts to be mindful and fully present. Things so precious these days and things that make and keep us well, too.

And so, when you are online do your Moodscope test. But don't beat yourself up if you're NOT online at all. Create such moments. And relish in them. Bask in the sun and in the real, physical presence of others, face to face, sun-lit and candle-lit without the bluish glow of our many pocket-sized devices reflected in our eyes. Enjoy the good moments for what they are and when they are happening. If they are worth remembering, you can always remember and share them on Facebook later!

With bright wishes to you all,

Eurik

A Moodscope member.