HELEN Mead says 'Happiness is so fleeting' (May 22). Perhaps that is because her happiness seems to be based on achievement rather than just 'being'.

Living in the moment and appreciating life is the key to true happiness.

I have suffered deep clinical depression in the past. I have lost dearly loved relatives to cancer - I've had my share of low points.

Yet I can treasure 'the moment'. My top ten are:

n Reading a wonderful book (such as Tony Parson's Man And Boy).

n Watching a beautiful sunset over Bootham School grounds.

n Sitting with the warmth of the sunshine on my face.

n Drinking a glass of Italian wine and eating fantastic Italian food.

n A smile from my husband or a kiss and cuddle from my children (or the other way round!).

n Seeing spring flowers peeping through the soil.

n Listening to Evensong in York Minster with the choir's angelic voices.

n Waking up with my cat sleeping contentedly at my feet.

n A family day out in our lovely Yorkshire countryside.

n A letter from my mum with news from home.

Life is a blessing, a gift and we should all instil in our children the treasures they have in the life ahead of them.

Happiness can be found in the simplest of things. All we have to do is open our heart to it.

Bev Dearnley,

Gillygate, York.