When you think of joy, what comes to mind? Is it a newborn baby? An unexpected windfall? Your dream job? Or is it falling in love?
These are some of the things that society and Hollywood want us to believe bring joy. But all of these events share one thing in common–they are outside of our control.
What happens when the baby gets colic? When you blow the money on a poor investment? When the job sucks or your new love turns out to be just like all the other disappointing ones that came before?
Where is joy now?
It’s long gone and then you mistakenly believe that joy is elusive, that it is impossible to hold onto for any length of time.
Because if you try to find joy and happiness outside of yourself, you will always be at the mercy of people and events.
And if that were truly where joy comes from then I would agree–holding on to joy is futile.
Thankfully, that is not where joy comes from. The events that I listed above, they are delights. They are one off situations that are fun and pleasure inducing, but they are not true joy.
Joy doesn’t come from outside of you. Joy comes from within you.
Joy is a choice. Joy is a feeling that can be generated no matter your external circumstances.
Think about children. Their circumstances don’t matter a whit until others point out to them that they are “different” or “separate”. Children know true joy. And we know how to recognize it in them.
Childhood joy shows itself as skipping, giggling, hollering, daydreaming little boys and girls spending hours in flow—completely immersed in tea parties, toys, dirt, coloring or running with abandon.
Children know the purest essence of life and they are able to effortlessly throw themselves into whatever it is they love without any thought of what it looks like, or whatever else may be going on in the world—they feel the joy of the moment and that is their only concern.
But what about for us grown ups? How does joy show itself with us?
This has been my experience:
Joy is everything feeling right. Joy is a connection to all that is. Joy is being in the flow of life.
Joy is smiling and feeling overfull with positive emotion as you look around at your everyday life.
Joy is awe in nature.
Joy is the freedom of knowing that you can create any life that you desire.
Joy is no fear; no internal struggle; no inner resistance; no need for emotional protection; no need to control yourself or others.
Joy is the freedom to feel and the freedom to value that feeling.
Joy is being open to whatever the world brings you.
Joy is added energy and enthusiasm for every part of your life.
Joy is knowing that you are not responsible for other people’s behavior or world events.
Joy is feeling centered and balanced.
Joy is laughter. True, joyous laughter at no ones expense, just because you feel a happiness deep in your core.
Joy is walking through life knowing in your heart that you have nothing to prove and nothing to defend.
Joy is a quiet knowing.
Joy is trusting that you will always be provided for.
Joy is being thrilled for others happiness and knowing that their success and joy can never take away from your own.
Joy is loving yourself just as you are, with no need to ever pretend otherwise.
Joy is driving with the radio cranked and singing at the top of your lungs.
Joy is feeling full to the brim with love and gratitude for this beautiful life.
Joy is feeling true and utter delight at your ridiculous self.
Are you ready for joy? The lasting, fulfilling, not afraid it will escape you kind of joy?
I will tell you that it is a journey, a process and it will not happen overnight. But if you are committed to life finally being really, truly different, I would be so happy to support and guide you. Please hit contact in the upper right hand corner so we can create a roadmap that returns you to the true essence of who you are.
Hugs,
Lorna
In order to change your life, you must first change your mind.
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