Choose happiness …..

​

As I sat in my meditation on the first day of Silent retreat, I could hear the birds singing outside.

​

My grandmother instantly came to mind/heart.

​

She loved birds, especially the chick-a-dee. I can still hear her singing to them "phoebe, phoebe".

​

I miss my grandmother so very much and I could feel my heart aching in my meditation and tears beginning to well up.

​

But I decided to place my awareness on the joy she brought to me and how grateful I am to have had a grandmother that loved me so much.

​

My mantra became: 

​

inhale-phoebe

exhale-mudita. (Pali word for joy).

​

I am not dismissing the need for tears and to allow oneself to feel sorrow, but equally to move into joy and the gentle lift of the corners of the mouth.

​

"Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy." Guillaume Apollinaire