Meditation for Anxious Bacon Lovers

All the people in this house deal with anxiety.  Even our littlest one, nearing seven is having the anxiety bug drop in on her.  It runs in the family.  However, we are becoming masters of anxiety management thanks in part to this book.
 
Seriously--if you're muddling through your child's chronic anxiety, this book is a super hero.  Not everything in it works for both kids, but there's something that works for each of them in that little gem.

Last night, Amelia and I were talking about how much we love visualization, and I led her through a traditional visualization exercise.  You know the bit:  water, a tree, flowers, wonderful breezes, and glorious peace.  Then she asked for a turn!  Sure, I say, and settle in for what I expect will be a repeat of what I'd just said.  

Nope.  

Close your eyes, she says, and imagine you're standing in front of a corner store.  You go in, she says, and buy TEN packages of bacon.  Then you go home and invite all the people in the neighborhood to your house.  You eat bacon, she says, and play and enjoy all the people.  

There were more details, but I can't remember them, because I was laughing too hard.  At first I just found the whole thing funny, but then, the genius of my daughter's thinking sunk in. The answer to anxiety is not always peace and solitude and gentle breezes.  Sometimes the answer to anxiety is pleasure and joy and people.  

Oh, yes. They keep teaching me with their wide open hearts.  

Wishing you peace, solitude, gentle breezes, pleasure, joy, and lots and lots of good people today. 

Oh, and bacon.  Don't forget the bacon. ;)