Many people know about the superstition of waving at magpies. The idea is that if you see a single magpie, it will bring you sorrow unless you wave at it. As with all superstitions, there are many variations.

When I was younger, one of the older people that my Mum knew from the fens talked to me about magpies. She said that it was a good idea to wave at single magpies but not to get rid of bad luck.

She said that when magpies find a mate, they keep the same partner for the rest of their lives and that if you see a single magpie that the chances are it has lost its mate. So, the old lady's idea was that instead of being focussed on my own sorrows, the focus should be on making the magpie feel a little bit better by being friendly to it.

This was just a bit of fun really but looking back on the story, it can be interpreted in some interesting ways.

The emphasis was not upon my own emotions but on making the magpie feel better. A good lesson for modern times, I would say! To shift the focus of a child from themselves to an awareness of their inter connectedness with nature in a playful way was indeed a crafty trick!

The wise folk from indigenous and traditional people around the world say the same thing. If we learn to shift our focus away from our own gratification and what we can do to help the world that we live in that we will be a lot happier.

The story also reminds me of an ancient Taoist technique called "the inner smile". When we learn how to create a smile from the heart as a matter of routine, we generate a feeling of positivity around ourselves that becomes tangible and helps others to relax and feel better.

Then - guess what happens! The smile comes back to you - except it's grown a bit. The smile that you send out always finds its way back to you.

So, at 53 years old, do I still wave at magpies? With the possibility of it bringing greater happiness, connection to nature and less self centeredness - you bet I do!

Try this inner smile exercise:-

• Sit quietly for a moment.

• Think of a day where you were REALLY happy.

• Remember that day with all of your senses - vision, smell, taste, touch.

• Actually smile! Force a big cheesy grin on to your face.

• Notice how your heart feels different - slightly uplifted from doing the smile.

• Get out there and smile at someone - or a magpie!

The inner smile is just one of a whole range of Taoist exercises and treatments to help you feel better with your body, mind and spirit.