So, when I started meditating, I tried to follow the standard advice. Focus on your breathing, don’t try to push thoughts away, let them come. As much as possible call your attention back to your breath.

Then there were moments where I caught myself just focusing on my breath for extended periods of time. I noticed “oh man, a minute must’ve just passed, and I’ve been doing it this whole time.” And that became my new distraction…

Your article is kinda talking about this same phenomenon to me — except not meditation, happiness.

Just let yourself be happy! Bad moments will come no matter what you try to do, enjoy yourself! Don’t try to control, you can’t force happiness on yourself, just embrace it when it’s nice enough to visit!