20 Mar 2026
By Liam Irvine, Team Leader D&R London South East
As the world keeps turning, as conflicts continue, and as divisions grow, life still moves forward. And in the middle of all of that, I find myself wondering:
Can we, can I, take just one moment to stop, reflect, and say out loud what has made us happy today?
In the digital world so many of us live in, we’re constantly surrounded by messages telling us who to be and what to want. We see adverts encouraging us to improve how we look, buy the latest trends, or present a polished, filtered version of our lives online.
But if I really stop, and I mean truly stop, and reflect, I have to ask myself: what actually makes me happy? Not anyone else. Me.
Today, I’m challenging myself, and maybe you too, to take just five minutes. Five minutes to sit down and think about what we can do, not just for ourselves, but for the people around us, to bring a little more joy into the world.
It doesn’t have to be anything big.
It could be:
Smiling at someone you pass.
Saying thank you to your barista.
Using that spare change to help someone who might need it more.
Small moments matter more than we often realise.
Working within the justice system, I’ve always tried to champion a positive outlook. One thing I’ve learned is that you never truly know what someone else is going through. The person sitting across from you could be struggling with substance misuse. They might have relapsed. They might be at one of the lowest points in their life. And yet, something as simple as a kind word or a positive interaction can change their entire day.
I’ve seen how that one moment can create a ripple effect. A better day can turn into a better week. One good week can become a whole month of progress. And from there, the possibilities are endless. All from one small act of kindness.
Connection is so important, even when we don’t always realise it. As Dean Martin once said, “Everybody needs somebody sometimes.”
When I look around, I see support everywhere. friends, family, Recovery Navigators, Team Leaders, Service Managers, and our incredible volunteers. Even in moments when we feel alone, there is always someone there. Even the smallest connection is better than none.
As I sit here watching the world go by, I’m thinking about what’s going to make me happy today…pizza.
And that’s the point. Happiness doesn’t have to be complicated or profound. It can be simple, personal, and completely your own. So, whatever it is, and whoever you’re with, take a moment. Do something that makes you happy.
Because those moments, small as they seem, are what help build a kinder, more connected, and more hopeful world.
