Actually, just looking at this photo and imagining myself in it makes me happy. So beautiful and serene. But what inspired this 
post is a terrific article I read on Facebook last week.
It’s about Matthieu Ricard, a 69-year-old monk who’s being called “the world’s happiest man;” and here’s the link if you want to read it.
He believes that when you think happy thoughts, for even 15 minutes a day, you’ll start getting positive results in just two weeks.
In case you think it’s hogwash, he participated in a 12-year study on meditation and compassion, led by a neuroscientist, and they discovered that “when he meditated on compassion his mind was unusually light; and it produced a level of gamma waves never reported before in the neuroscience literature.”
Still not convinced? Years ago I took a six-week course on guided meditation. Our teacher had participated in a small research study at a leading cancer hospital in Toronto, Princess Margaret. They wanted to know if meditation would improve the quality of life for palliative care patients. Although he only worked with six patients, the results were outstanding.
All but a couple significantly out-lived the time frame they were given. All felt less pain and discomfort, all were happier and calmer and all experienced peaceful deaths.
As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t get much better than that.
These days it’s so easy to get drawn into all the negativity around us. And I am convinced it has an affect on our ‘being’; and on our lives. I know that when I was all caught up in the presidential race, and was glued to the TV watching the debates and listening to the pundits I felt lousy. I couldn’t find anything to feel excited about, I was frustrated, shocked, dismayed, disappointed and honestly, it sapped my energy. I was drained. Ridiculous I know, but that’s what negative energy does.
When I distanced myself I felt the difference immediately. I was back to my positive, upbeat self and I suddenly have energy to burn. I feel like I’ve been on a long vacation. I’m refreshed — mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually.
At the same time that I ‘changed the channel’ and concentrated on thinking happy thoughts a lot of terrific opportunities started coming my way. Literally out of the blue. Seriously. Even in January when mercury was in retrograde. You can’t argue with that.
365 And Counting 
Agreed. My husband always have the 24/7 news channel on. I finally talked him into buying a headset….so he can listen to it, and I don’t have to. The constant negative news and the politicians fighting with each other–upsetting!
Bet you sleep better too 🙂
Yes!! And for all those blood and gore mysteries too.
Better to immerse yourself in good music 🙂
Woohoo! You beat mercury in retrograde!
I know!! I used to dread it, but no more 😄
Reblogged this on Daily Echo and commented:
Why we do what we do…
It’s the difference between transient happiness and joy… and the latter is not dependent on circumstances.
You are so right. It is a conscious decision you have to make. And meditating definitely puts you in the right frame of mind to accept happiness into your life.
It does… I can’t imagine life without it, I’ve been doing it so long.
I fell out of the habit for a while but I have been making it part of my daily life again and what a difference it has made.
That difference is why we based the way we teach on guided meditation.
The impact it has on your life is truly remarkable.
I agree with you there, Fransi.
☺️
Reblogged this on Rose English UK and commented:
I just had to share this blog with you all ‘The Happiness Effect’ It’s about Matthieu Ricard, a 69-year-old monk who’s being called “the world’s happiest man;”
He believes that when you think happy thoughts, for even 15 minutes a day, you’ll start getting positive results in just two weeks.
Wonderful I shall try this out for myself thanks Sue Vincent for bringing this to my attention 🙂
Thank you 😌
Oh boy. In the nick of time. Needed this. Thanks.
Thank you! Stay happy 😌
Yes. I need this too. I have practised meditation before, but I always get “busied” out of it. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
I’ve been the same. Meditated religiously for quite a long time, then “got busied out of it” as you say, but I’m back!! And this time it’s for good 😌
So very true, excellent advice! (I’d add animal companionship and nature to the mix also both give very positive vibes)
Total agree! Petting my cats always puts me into a state of bliss and relaxation. And so does getting away from the noise and craziness of the city — which is why I so love that photo in my post. Just looking at it makes me smile and sigh with relief 🙂
I think I’m happy because I let go of all the things I was trying to use to make myself happy and relaxed.
Once I realized the start of joy was inside, that was it. I have the ability to be happy all the time.
Of course, I have ups and downs, and I need to remind myself that my joy is not external.
But it is so amazing.
It IS amazing and I agree — the start of joy IS on the inside. And I believe we all have a choice — we can open ourselves up and ‘allow’ joy in or not. Up to us.
I suddenly started feeling more positive after taking a Reiki course, and I was practicing self reiki on myself daily. I felt like nothing could get me down. And for someone who has a lot of stress in her life, that is a great feeling. Which reminds me, I haven’t done some for a while…
Love reiki. Always feels like I’m light as a feather, just floating through time …
Yes doesn’t it? It’s extraordinary!
It is extraordinary, I agree 🙂
Claire said it for me Fransi – I alternate two days in the week no radio no TV, shut off the outside world and drop a needle on the old vinyl.
It’s really important, for our sanity and our soul.
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