Sharing Laughter

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things, does the heart find its morning and is refreshed.”
~Kahlil Gibran~
Pure laughter based in love is powerful. It can dispel fear or sadness in an instant or transform strangers into friends. It lightens the stories of the ego and reduces stress while shifting us to higher levels of consciousness. But laughter, like all things of value, must begin within. It’s important not to take yourself too seriously. Under the weight of perceived flaws and lessons, beneath the gravity of life situations, resides an eternal source of joy.
Life is filled with paradoxes and contrasts and it’s helpful to expand your perception to recognize the myriad choices which are available to you. Consciously choose to bring lightness into the patterns of your life. The more balance you create through your interpretation of your various day-to-day experiences, the more magical your journey becomes.
Forgiveness, acceptance, mindfulness and Presence open passageways into a new reality. There we can connect to one another in a manner that is empowered, open and loving. Let laughter be the bridge between the spiritual and the mundane.

Presence

“If your mind carries a heavy burden of past, you will experience more of the same. The past perpetuates itself through lack of presence. The quality of your consciousness at this moment is what shapes the future.”
~Eckhart Tolle~

When you find yourself caught up in drama, invariably there is a story attached. Whether personal, familial, or collective, you may notice that the ego seeks to replay all that has led up to the reactivity. If a backstory is needed to justify anger or frustration, consider that the mental or verbal story is compounding and amplifying the energy.

Experiment using the term, “be that as it may…” to neutrally respond to the ego and gently direct attention to this moment. In this moment we can choose how to proceed. Rather than carrying heavy energy of the past, draw your attention present and consider how you can being love to the situation, how you can support another or what you can do to replace the repetitive story with conscious action.

More often than not, that breaks the spell and provides greater clarity. If possible, add a little laughter and kindness into the mix. From there, anything is possible.

Empowerment

The quickest way to empowerment is by taking personal responsibility for all that you experience. This creates greater insight through introspection, conscious action and awareness. Consider adding humor into the mix and watch the process of change become more pleasurable.

Blame is often used as a tool of avoidance. We project energy at another person, situation or idea to distract ourselves from looking within. Since the world is our reflection, circumstances will often arise which provide an opportunity for us to recognize what we’ve spend a lifetime trying to avoid. It’s important to remember that the core of life’s practice is joy. We can only reach that state by stepping into personal responsibility.

Everything is energy and is mutable, light and constantly transforming. Should you ever find yourself going into blame mode, simply notice, quiet the mind and examine what you are projecting outward. All blame is a reflection of how we see ourselves. This insight can be one of the most powerful aspects of your spiritual awakening.

There is a vast and infinite amount of energy available. You can access it, not by planning or thinking, but by being centered and silent enough to allow it to flow through you. This light and love awakens your potential.

There is Joy

“Laughter is wine for the soul – laughter soft, or loud and deep, tinged through with seriousness – the hilarious declaration made by man that life is worth living.”

~Sean O’Casey~

Each of us has the capability to create moments of joy throughout our expression of consciousness. In the midst of darkness, there is light. Countless opportunities to spark laughter reside within the various absurdities of life. The weight of expectation or desire dissolves within shared mirth. Celebrate those who bring a lighter point of view to our collective experience. Their unique perceptions open pathways to new areas of the subconscious.

Seek to fill your experience with countless tiny moments of joy rather than seeking to attain one particular goal. When we enter the field of awareness with humility and a sense of adventure, we open floodgates of energy that inspire, amplify and awaken, simplifying our journey.

Joy and peacefulness go and in hand. Approach life with a sense of wonder and for you, life will be transformed into something magical and  extraordinary. One spark of awareness can change everything.

Present Moment Joy

“You are an incredible mystery that you will never figure out.
To be this mystery consciously is the greatest joy.”
~Adyashanti~
Spirituality is meant to bring wholeness and magic back into your life. There are many paths to awakening – purposely choose the one that brings you the greatest joy. As you bring the best version of yourself to the present moment, the future takes care of itself.
When life becomes a drudgery, judgment arises. Self-criticism and frustration block us from recognizing the beauty that surrounds us. It’s important to keep playfulness in your outlook and experience. Laughter enriches the soul and is a powerful expression of the Divine.

Draw attention to the threads that weave the tapestry of your experience. Enter the field of Now. Notice what you hear, feel, smell, touch and see. Quiet the mind and simply notice what is around you. Recognize that whatever you place your attention upon becomes more prominent in your experience.

You can find awakening in your life as it is, for you are right where you need to be. Acceptance draws in the circumstances, experiences and  synchronicities that are in alignment with your joyful, expectant, optimistic attitude.

This Moment is Sacred

“The wise heart is not one that understands everything; it is the heart that can tolerate the truth of not knowing.”

~Jack Kornfield~

The mind seeks answers and explanations. The ego projects the belief that all will be well with a definitive plan in place and creates distraction by constant search and analysis. There is more truth to be discovered by genuinely living in the present moment and placing your full attention on whatever you are experiencing now.

As I was writing the words above (a mind generated process to be sure), my dog Minky distracted me mid-sentence with a gentle middle-of-the-night “woof…” At once I was prompted to stop and gaze into her eyes. We experienced a moment of smiling doggy love which I joyfully realized was the most important thing to experience in all the world at that moment. Rather than being a distraction, it was a simple reminder that love is alive and all is well.

The profundity of the human experience lies in our ability to honor the present moment as sacred, however it presents itself. And in that sacredness, we can act with integrity, do our best and accept what is.

Live in Celebration

You can choose to make your life a celebration or a drudgery. When we add playfulness to our spiritual work, everything in your experience takes on new meaning and purpose. The light of your smile is transformative, and desperately needed in a world driven by ego.

Life responds to our energy; therefore, bringing joy and connection into your interactions lightens any loads you may carry. Often, awakened ones seem to have a gentle smile for everyone they meet. It’s as if they can see what others can’t, and indeed that is the case. They have learned to see beyond the roles and reactivity to the soul that shines through.

The goal of life is play. Adults sometimes forget the value of childlike wonder in their quest to succeed. As the ego takes hold, seriousness ensues. Snicker at the absurd. Giggle with your best friend or roll on the floor with a pet who is ready to play. These are sacred moments that will truly heal the soul

Know that you are loved, supported and guided each and every step of the way. You cannot fall. With trust and celebration, create a reality that works for you and then live it fully.

Moment to Moment

Step lightly. Be gentle. In this way you can be the observer and rise above the intensity of life. Find balance and peace by bringing loving awareness into this moment and honoring the sacredness of your journey.

There will, of course, be times when you stumble or miss the mark. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn to find the humor in the situation, dust yourself off, get up and move on knowing this is just another seed of wisdom that has been planted into your psyche. The light of consciousness will nurture and help it to grow.

Fulfillment is found by going deeper into life. Willingness is the gateway to enlightenment. When you are willing to accept what is, the lack of resistance allows your energy to be channeled into the present moment without being diffused. Pure Divine energy then flows into all that you experience and all that you do.

As evolving souls, we are learning to master the ability to see beyond the physical, beyond the obvious, and dance in the light of infinite possibility. You may be surprised at what you discover as you journey through the days experience…. all that you need is already here.

Playfulness

“This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realize it is play.”
~Alan Watts~

Some see life as drudgery. Everything becomes heavy and difficult because of the energy they bring to their life situations. Yet others, perhaps appearing simple or foolish to the uninitiated, seem to play their way through life and manage to navigate challenges with greater ease.

The higher your vibration, the easier things flow. Bring playfulness into your experiences in any way that you can. Be together for the sheer joy of it. Celebrate as you walk the path of transformation without attachment to an end result.

Life is rarely as serious as the ego would like you to believe and there are many, many opportunities to bring lightheartedness into your experience. When you utilize playfulness as a powerful aspect of your awakening, everything in your experience becomes part of a loving,  vibrant conversation between you and the Divine.

It is safe to be open and vulnerable and filled with delight. May your soul be liberated by laughter. May you discover the many facets of love that seek expression through you.

Finding Joy in the Little Things

“To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter. To be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring – these are some of the rewards of the simple life.”

~John Burroughs~

We can choose to engage with the world around us in a way that is immersive and complete. Playfulness and joy are states of being. They cannot be traveled to, purchased or mapped out. They arise from simply being fully present in the Now. Make the conscious choice to find the sacred in the mundane.

Should you find yourself being too serious, go back to basics. Utilize gratitude as a way to shift your energy higher. Enjoy the little things – the way sunlight sparkles through a drop of dew, how the clouds move across the sky making pictures in a constant state of transition, the smile of a dog… it all comes down to what you choose to amplify with your attention.

Your joy creates a state of wholeness. From there, life becomes friendly and playful, a loving reflection of your true infinite nature.