Today is the end of my second week of recovery from a major surgery. The first week my body was in shock and full of medication, so much so that I felt I was living on a different planet. I couldn’t remember anything, my husband had to repeat things a few times for me to comprehend what he was saying.
I kept myself busy with reading, television, and family and friends who were kind enough to visit. Once my surgery was old news, even to me, I had to find ways to keep my over active mind occupied.
Prior to the surgery, I had a routine that kept me pretty balanced. I tried to maintain that the best I could, due to pain and lack of energy. You see, I wake up everyday before my alarm at 5:30 am, to be with myself at dawn. A mystic time, composed of calm and peace, that no moment in a day can replace. I find myself in a little corner of my room with green tea in one hand and my chant flash cards in another. As I focus on the lit candle, I practice my breathing exercise to clear my mind and get the flow of the lifeforce going. I usually add a half an hour of yoga asanas when I was well and had no pain, but now I am still in the recovery period. My ritual takes about 45 minutes to an hour on the days that I have the time. It might seem very rigid and difficult to you, but this practice keeps me tranquil and at ease all day. Whether I have to work with my patients in the hospital or see clients for intuitive work, my mind and body have connected and I flow through the day in one unit.
Recently, I shared my meaning of happiness with a friend. To my surprise, I learned others are extremely hard on themselves, coupled with an unhealthy, competitive edge. I believe that we grow up with the notion that “happiness” is in the toy that we‘re getting for Christmas or the friend that is coming over to play with us. We grow up a little more and “happiness” becomes the shoes that we just bought or the relationship that we are in. As adults, we see “happiness” illustrated through a big house, the latest luxury car, and elaborate vacations. However, once we are finished experiencing all of the above, we feel empty and sad.
“Happiness” is a state of mind. It shows up in humans as an attitude and then translates into a smile, a hug, and a permanent, radiant aura. This state of mind comes by getting to know yourself as an individual. Ask questions like:
Who am I?
What do I really like?
What doesn’t correlate with my beliefs?
What kind of job will make me truly happy?
What kind of friends do I want to surround myself with?
What kind of partner do I want to attract?
What is my mission in life?
Once you have identified your fear, worry, and pattern of thought, happiness will show up like sunshine on a rainy day. Remind yourself of an event that truly made you elated, feel the emotions, observe your body’s reactions, and see your life in action. In this instance, nothing matters, no negativity will creep up, and problems will become minute.
Namaste
