Tag Archives: #joy

Going Inward

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“The inward journey is about finding your own fullness, something that no one else can take away.”
~Deepak Chopra~
Awakening occurs as we release the need for outward validation and become deeply aligned with our authentic, true nature. The journey inward is a powerful one. Within it, we discover the courage to face our shadows – both personal and collective – only to emerge completely transformed by the experience.
Going inward in a perfect description of one who is fully present within the Now. The deepness of the present moment is unfathomable. Beneath the layers of desire and interpretation is pure Presence, a joy that sparkles as we recognize and embrace the sacredness that is both within and without.
Your conscious awareness brings a unique nuance of peacefulness and beauty to the planet. Imagine how our experience of the world would change if each of us could recognize the love that connects us. Begin within. Let your wounds be the place where the light enters you. Use the challenges of the past as stepping stones through the dark. Ultimately, you will discover that you carry the light of love within you and the light will guide you home.

Conscious Surrender

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“We are at our most powerful the moment we no longer need to be powerful.”
~Eric Micha’el Leventhal~
The awakening spirit becomes empowered through surrender. Rather than trying to force life to meet our perception of perfection, we seek to see the perfection in life as it is. As human beings, our view is narrow – typically focused on ego-driven desire and based upon our immediate life experience. We cannot see the threads of life as they are woven together to create the tapestry of creation. The hand of the Divine is always at work in ways that we cannot imagine with our limited perception.
And yet, often there is an aspect to our belief system that prompts us to attempt to control, plan for every contingency or need assurance prior to taking action. Spiritual mastery involves conscious surrender to what is. As you cultivate worthiness and self-esteem, it becomes less important to be seen as right. Inner humility guides us, love becomes the expression of our joy and what you need to know will make itself known at the perfect time. Trust the processes of your awakening.

Simple Pleasures

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“This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.”
~Dalai Lama~

Great beauty can be found in the simple, ordinary things of life. Even the most mundane of tasks take on a sacred quality when approached with awareness, intention and gratitude. It’s important to remember that you dictate how your life unfolds by the energy that you bring to the situations you encounter. When we act out of love, without expectation or attachment, wholly involved in the Now, we become one with life.

Be patient with yourself. Sometimes all that is required is a peaceful alertness as we learn to exist aligned and in tune with the energy of the planet. This is a time full of mystery… like the dawning of a new day, there is a quiet anticipation as the awakening happens all around us. In the silence, limitless possibilities await.

Be aware of your relationship to the world around you. Our interconnectedness is becoming more apparent with each passing moment. As spiritual seekers, we are consciously engaging the truth of Oneness through interactions, gratitude, reflection and exploration.

Know Thyself

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“To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom.”
~Socrates~

You are far more than the experiences of this life. Underneath the concept of what role you play, your likes and dislikes, goals and dreams, fear and desire, is the true infinite nature of your divinity. Life is filled with opportunities to know yourself at the deepest level.
Practice looking beyond the obvious. Create silent spaces in your experience to explore the vastness of the infinite. See your life as an adventure with the knowledge that you have the ability to emerge from any challenge with surprising courage and resilience.
The awakening spirit lives in his or her own truth. Led by passion and compassion, they walk the path less traveled. If others seek to admonish them, it’s ok. When others seek to revere them, they simply turn inward.
Each of us walks a unique path and it cannot be defined by anything other than our inner wisdom. To know yourself as Consciousness having a human experience frees you from being dependent upon outcomes. A playfulness comes into your life and you’ll discover the joy that is your true nature.

Embrace the Experience

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“I don’t believe people are looking for the meaning of life as much as they are looking for the experience of being alive.”
~Joseph Campbell~

In spite of the many lifetimes we engage with one another on this planet, the experience of being human is but a tiny aspect of our spiritual journey back into Oneness. Earth provides the illusion of separation. We create intense karma and challenges, joyful connections and love in order to fully experience all aspects of the human adventure.

Think of all the things you love: the sunsets, springtime, music, your favorite foods, how the light filters through the leaves of a forest on a summers day, the feel of snow crunching under your boots, the contrast of a good movie that makes you laugh and cry, and so much more! When you begin to think of all that brings joy into your experience, you’ll discover that the list is endless… and yet we’ve just begun.
Rather than seeking for meaning in your life situations, bring meaning to them. Your brilliant, beautiful mind can be used to perceive the grace and wonder of being alive. Touch one another in love. Be kind to yourself. It will be gone all too soon and then we’ll be off on a new type of collective experience. It’s hard to mentally grasp the infinite; therefore, enjoy the Now and watch how it continues to evolve.

Celebrate Your Uniqueness

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Be aware of wonder. Live a balanced life – learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
~Robert Fulgham~

Balance isn’t something that just happens when life falls into place; rather, it is the foundation of a life that is grounded, joyful and complete. Much of the world’s angst comes from the desire to please or care for others at the expense of one’s own happiness. People struggle to satisfy perceived expectations and often put their needs on pause.

The challenges we face help us to discern what is important to create and maintain balance. How would you discover your boundaries if someone or something didn’t cross them from time to time? See those who challenge you as healing angels rather than frustrations. They are teaching you what is truly important.

The awakening spirit understands that fulfillment comes through finding their own unique way of being in the world. There is great beauty to be discovered throughout the journey inward. As you create balance by tending to the needs of body, mind and spirit, you’ll find that you have more to give those you love – more compassion, patience and kindness. Then life becomes an outward expression of your joy.

Live in Your Magnificence

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“I now choose to recognize the magnificence of my being.”
~Louise Hay~

Spiritual awakening is not like flicking on a light switch. It is a consistent process of candid self-observation, the ability to address each challenge and trigger as it arises while practicing new ways to bring the best version of yourself to each situation you encounter.

Over time we explore uncharted facets of ourselves and cultivate qualities that bring peace into our lives. One by one, we drop the limiting patterns and beliefs that cause frustration. Give yourself credit for how far you have come. When you miss the mark, forgive yourself for being human. Awakening is not about expectations of perfection or “Buddah-hood.” It is the slow, transformative process of freedom.

We teach by living our truth. Conscious actions leave a lasting imprint. Each step of the way we have an opportunity to walk our talk and speak our truth with integrity and the results can be incredibly transformative. As the soul awakens, we learn to recognize the magnificence of being. Consciousness expands by honoring the space in which life is experienced. Just be. Be the loving observer. Be the one whose only desire is to be kind. Scatter seeds of joy throughout every interaction and see what you can learn.

Know Thyself

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“You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are.”
~Mr. Rogers~
You are far more than the experiences of this life. Underneath the concept of what role you play, your likes and dislikes, goals and dreams, fear and desire is the true infinite nature of your divinity. You’ve cultivated a life filled with opportunities to know yourself at the deepest level.
Practice looking beyond the obvious. Create silent spaces in your experience to explore the vastness of the infinite. See your life as an adventure and know that you have the ability to emerge from any challenge with surprising courage and resilience.
To know yourself as Consciousness having a human experience frees you from being dependent upon outcomes. A playfulness comes into your life and you’ll discover the joy that is your true nature.

Happiness

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“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy, and inspires your hopes.”
~Andrew Carnegie~

True happiness comes from within. It is not based on outside factors or dependent upon the actions or choices of another. As spiritual seekers, it’s empowering to discover the role that choice plays in our ability to experience a joyful life.

Ego-driven happiness is an energetic form of imprisonment. It may feel wondrous when that new item is purchased or when you fall in love; however, the highs are often followed by corresponding lows when the newness wears off or when the relationship becomes more complex. At this point the ego fixates on another goal and happiness is delayed or subdued until that goal is achieved.

When you choose to be joyful, nothing can take that away from you. Life still happens of course, but beneath the ebb and flow of experience there is a foundation of joy from which to draw and your presence can then be an inspiration to others.

 

Enchantment

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“The garden reconciles human art and wild nature, hard work and deep pleasure, spiritual practice and the material world. It is a magical place because it is not divided.”
~Thomas Moore~

Life is filled with enchantment and mystery. Often, what is presented on the physical plane is actually the opposite of what is occurring on the spiritual plane. Speeding from one place to the next teaches the beauty of patience, lack creates a recognition of abundance, health challenges can lead to healthy lifestyle changes, and the list continues into infinity… We learn from contrast. Being fully present and open to life allows direct access to our inner wisdom. Choose to view your journey as an adventure and utilize your challenges as opportunities to shine.

You are a child of the Universe and therefore intimately connected to everything around you. Seek to fill your experience with smile-inducing little joys. Moments of laughter and insight that shift your perception have an immediate impact upon your energy, beliefs and interpretation of your life experience. You’ll begin seeing things differently immediately and once you open the doors of perception, anything can happen.