Ponder this...

I was thinking back to a pivotal time in my life many years ago when I was trying to make some big choices.  At the suggestion of a good book I was reading, I tried to make of list of all the things in my life that made me happy or gave me pleasure.  I remember that I had very few real experiences of stereotypical happiness from which to draw.  I had a difficult childhood, and my adolescence was not much easier.  But as an adult, I was in control and wanted to break any and all bad cycles of the past, moving ahead in positive directions.  In spite of my melancholy past, I still felt very blessed and gifted in many ways and wanted to share my talents with others.  I instinctively knew that this would be my path to happiness for myself.

I read in this book that if you didn't have a safe place to meditate and plan for your life, you could make up one in your head.  It would be your happy place, your safety zone to create, recharge, and plan your next move. So I invented a "happy place" in my imagination.  It needed to be a very definite and detailed place.  So when I closed my eyes, I reclined barefoot in a large, clean room on a comfortable couch where I could soak up the soft, natural light that would flood into the space.  To one side of me there were tall windows bordered with long flowing white sheers that would dance and flick in the breeze across the contrasting sea foam green walls.  In this space all was very organic and natural.  No one here would shout or judge or abuse.  I could peacefully enjoy the soothing silence of the room.

I share this description of my happy place, not because I think it will be the kind of place that everyone would like, but to encourage each of you to seek out a place, either real or imaginary, where you can take time to ponder.  Listen to your thoughts and wait until they've had their say and are quiet.........  That is when new inspirations will come.  Open your mind to them, hear them out.  You can bounce new ideas around without fear, or you can just enjoy a break from the barrage of stimulus that is so hard to get away from now a days.  This sounds a lot like meditation.  Because it is.  Give yourself a few minutes each day.  

An inspiring physics professor once told my unreceptive evening class of young adults that we should drive home in silence and to resist the urge to turn on the radio.  I tried it that night, and have since done it many times.  It was very surprising!  Being alone with my thoughts opened up many new possibilities.  I found out that it's okay to talk to yourself.  Really!  I think the world would be a better and happier place if people thought things through more and pondered the consequences of their actions or lack of responsible actions.  

Pondering, daydreaming, and meditating will be worth the time it takes!   And this tid bit of advice is brought to you by someone who struggles with impulsivity on a biochemical level.  So slow down and ponder away to a brighter day!  

Children Know Best

Young children have an innate ability to be happy.   They don't over analyze any situation, they just enjoy it for all it is worth!  My sons can find pure, unadulterated joy in chasing a bubble in the park, or splashing in a mud puddle, or following an ant across the patio.  The key is that they don't worry so much about who is watching them or if their hair, clothes, or asset portfolio looks just right. When someone smashes their sand castle or pushes them too hard in a game of chase, they don't hold a grudge, they will quickly and easily forgive and start rebuilding their castle even better and higher than before!  They keep trying to make life fun and make new friends where ever they go.  With an absence of peer pressure and fear, they boldly speak out against injustices. Young children always tell the truth, even if they were the ones that broke the cookie jar.  They trust and defend their family who loves them and are not ashamed to say I love you ten times a day.  Just a thought... we could all stand to learn a lot from what the children know best.  Have a great, youthful day!