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.

Choosing Joy

“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair…”
~susan polis schutz~

You are here to experience everything that life has to offer. It’s powerful to remember that, in every moment, you can consciously choose how you interpret your experiences. When you view the present moment through the filter of joy, you bring a higher awareness into any situation.

Life is filled with contrasts. Joy helps us to discover purpose, solutions, healing and strength in circumstances that can often be fraught with challenge. Your love is the guiding light during moments of darkness, and your willingness to walk forward will bring you once again into the realm of joy and empowerment.

Wisdom is attained through experience. Our challenges provide opportunities to strengthen aspects of our character that are ready to shine. Proceed, knowing that you are right where you need to be and that all you need to discover is waiting for your attention. Laugh at your foibles, and realize that you do not need to wait for a reason to celebrate. You can dance in the rain knowing that sunny days are ahead. And, if all else fails, lose yourself in the smile of a dog.

Creating a Sacred Space

“I love myself, therefore I provide for myself a comfortable home, one that fulfills all my needs and is a pleasure to be in. I fill the rooms with the vibration of Love, so that all who enter, myself included, will feel the love and be nourished by it.” ~Louise Hay~
Consider your home a sacred space. Any emotions that we experience emit powerful vibrations that remain behind; therefore, focus upon being conscious of what you create or allow around you. Setting intentions, smudging, playing peaceful music or lighting candles to shift the energy can have a dramatic impact.

At least once a month, open a few windows or doors and cleanse the space with white sage, lavender/sage spray or pure tones saying, “Negativity out! Only love, joy and beauty remain. Today, let this space be a space of peace, power, growth and transformation.” Any heavy or unbalanced energy will dissipate and you’ll create a lighter, empowered feeling that will impact all who enter your space.

You have more power than you realize and cleansing your space is a great way consciously step into your role as an empowered co-creator. Be the peace you wish to see in the world.

To Love…

“See and live life for the wonderful gift that it is …acknowledging everyone’s beauty, flaws, frailty, strength, gifts and possibilities. Honor and cherish it and above all be loving and compassionate. Here is the birthplace of inner and worldly peace.”

~Rasheed Ogunlaru~

To live in the frequency of love is to honor all that you see as sacred. As you expand in consciousness, it becomes easier to see through the mechanisms of the ego and the roles that people play. Old souls often view the world differently and must learn to walk in their truth, even in the face of ridicule.

The Tao te Ching says that the laughter of the unawakened is a necessary aspect of our collective experience. Rather than trying to change their minds, seek to find a way to love the soul that teaches through adversity. From them we learn self control, confidence, non-reactivity and patience.

We all walk the same path. Though we may be at differing levels of consciousness, love is the goal. Find your way by recognizing and honoring the potential within you, and there will come a time when the light of love shines so brightly that all shadows will be dispelled.