Happiness Meditation

I ment a gal at recent Wellness Expo and we got chatting.   She was trying to decide if she was going to buy into the idea of one of the vendors to buy something to increase her life.  She shared that she was in her mid 80's and she really looked closer to 60.   I learned she has been healthy her life without need of a doctor.   I asked her, "what was your secret to long healthy life?'  Which I hope you would ask someone that age without aches and pains.  

She relayed a life filled with difficulty.  I realized the key to her health, she wasn't complaining but had a true joy about living even with all the hardship.   She knew how to relax and take things easy.   Just about then we had a group of kids around up all unhappy, no smiling faces that kids should have. 

I was also chatting with a kidengarden teacher who was telling me that kids today don't get a chance to play.  What we learned in second grade is being taught in K and they don't get rescess.  I wonder if we are taking the joy of play out of the kids.   Where do they learn to laugh and play with friends, sharing toys and such if not in the first few years of school?  Are our kids learning how to be happy even when they have to share?

Anyway I thought I would teach a quick Happiness Meditation which can help folks get focus on what really matters.

Find a quite place to be able to relax for about 10 minutes.   Close your eyes and let the tensions of the day behind for the next few minutes.    Now without thinking, accept any answer that comes next in your mind, finish the statement. "I will be happy when...."  Imagine that 'when' to the fullest and allow it to fill your mind as if it has already happened and feel the happiness you promised yourself. 

As you come out of the meditation, ask youself if you really need to wait for that specific 'when' or if there is something now that will satisfy your happiness goal.

This is designed to help you explore your goals and choices in life.   As you allow yourself to feel happy, your body chemistry is actually changing towards a healing environment.  Realize you have the power to feel happy at any moment. 

Linda Bender is a personal wellness therapist.  She uses over 20 holistic life coaching and touch therapy techniques from reiki to personal training to help you reduce stress and pain so your body invokes its natural healing ability. She is at Bender Healing on Church Street in Phoenixville. Bender Healing provides massage, reiki, reflexology, personal training, nutrition, life coaching and energy medicine.  See www.BenderHealing.com or call 800-706-1354 for more information.