BizRibbon

Feature

Self: It is your business.
Finding Inner Peace during The Pursuit of Happiness

By Wanda Marie

It's October 21, 1995, and I awakened in complete despair. My head was spinning as I could not believe that on this day I had turned 40 years old. My life was flashing before my eyes. I could see for the first time that I had never truly been happy. There seemed to always be something I allowed to rob me of my happiness.

I believe that life carries us to higher dimensions of ourselves in an invisible vehicle with four pillars of life, much like an automobile with four tires. One tire would be labeled health, representing our physical wellbeing. Another tire would be labeled wealth, which would represent our mental mind and creative capacities. The third tire would be labeled love, to represent our emotional body of affairs. And, we have the fourth tire called happiness, representing our ability to grow and connect with the Sprit of our being.

Every year on my birthday I have made it a practice to revisit the past year and see how well I had lived up to my own expectations. Had I reached the goals I had set for myself? Was my life rolling along smoothly? On this particular birthday I had a rude awakening. I realized that while I had done great each year, according to my own expectations, I wasn't setting high enough standards for myself in order to be totally happy. I was compartmentalizing my life and would reach goals in certain areas, so there was always something deflating one of my tires. If the money was flowing in, the relationship had problems. If the relationship was going smoothly, there would be health issues. Always something, and never balance.

I decided this time, I would really stretch, so rather than set a goal for the year, I would set a goal for a lifetime. The goal was to be happy. To be happy regardless of what was going on in my life, or in the world. Just be happy. I decided that from that day forward nothing would rob me of my happiness.

Ten days after making this pledge to be happy the ultimate test arrived. My mother passed away suddenly. She was not ill and was only sixty-six years young. What a blow to my system. I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. How do you remain rooted in happiness when your best friend, nurturer, cheerleader, healer, teacher suddenly abandons you? How do you find happiness in the face of loss?

I remained strong for my grandmother. We made all the necessary arrangements and held up as best we could. While in the background of my mind, the question kept repeating itself. How do you find happiness during your darkest days?

Once the funeral was over and everything was calm, I became very still. For days I would sit and meditate on what is happiness. I returned from the stillness with the wisdom that in that place of deep contemplation, in that place of stillness I was happier than I had ever been before. So my mother and greatest teacher, left me with yet another lesson. Her final gift to me was to send me into deep stillness, the place where peace and happiness reside.

There is a place within each of us that calls to us to go deep. In that place of deep you will find inner peace. With inner peace comes a joy so delightful that nothing can move you. This inner peace and pure joy equals happiness.

As a Spiritual Teacher and Life Coach, I set out to teach my clients and students how to find their own level of happiness through inner peace.

Since 1995 my life had been rolling along quite smoothly. I had been completely rooted in the tools and principles for leading a peaceful, balanced and happy life. On May 15, 2007, my new book, "Living Inner Peace: A Personal Guide to Greater Happiness" was ready to be shipped off to the printers. For moral support, I handed a hard copy to my business associate, turned close friend, cheerleader, nurturer, healer, and teacher. Later that evening, before she arrived home, she collapsed and died. Yes, she was suddenly gone. The transcript of the book lie in the back seat of her car. Once again, I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.

However, this time instead of feeling abandoned, I felt embraced. The inner peace I had cultivated over the years carried me. The true happiness I feel within my spirit runs so deep that I know, beyond all doubt, that all is well, no matter what happens, and no matter how it looks to the human eye, all is well.

I want to share with you my daily ritual for experiencing more inner peace and happiness so that when life takes you on a bumpy ride, your tires remain fully inflated and balanced at all times.

Pray: Each morning, before my feet hit the floor I pray for peace of mind for myself and everyone around me.
Affirm: I create a positive statement with the end result in mind, for whatever challenges I may be facing. For example: If I have to give a speech and I'm a little nervous. I would say, "Thank you God for a smooth presentation where everyone fully receives the gifts I have to share."
Imagine: Every night prior to sleep I use my imagination to visualize what I want to see expressed in my personal life, or in the world at large. For example: If I am bothered by what has occurred on the news that day, I will image a world that reflects the opposite. This brings about incredible inner peace.
Meditate: Every day it is important to take time to be still. Wisdom lies deep within us, but it will not fight to be heard. You must be willing to stop and listen. Go into silence. Ask for guidance, be still and listen. Even if I have no questions, I find great wisdom in stillness.
Journal: After sitting in silence, I find it very therapeutic to journal any insights, thoughts or ideas that have come into my awareness. Journaling can also be used as a measuring tool for your success.
Give: This is something I do everyday without fail. I consciously give something to someone, even if it's just a smile. I know that by giving, I am also opening to receive and this exchange of energy creates a well of inner peace. It is our collective ability and willingness to give that will change our lives and transform the planet.

"Living Inner Peace: A Personal Guide to Greater Happiness."

www.wandamarie.com

To the top!

Back To Features

Subscribe for Free

	Name:
	Email: