Just thought of something else to add...
When the world emits negative images, like the horrific grenades and firing in Mumbai last night, we need to actively and consciously not focus on our gut reaction of saying "Aah how awful!" but instead, change our thinking and emit a new signal.
Focus on what we want to see, there, continued harmony of all groups and communities. Aljazeara reporters were saying how fantastic Mumbai is, it is an all night town, where all people go about their business, meetings, fun and dances. Politicians, Bollywood actors and others, tourists and even the street hawkers all continue, in peace and love. This is awesome! I was in India and that is one of my lasting memories, how all people of every race, creed and religion get together in peace and joy....
"Focus on everybody being in joy. Focus on abundance of food. Give your powerful thoughts to what is wanted. You have the ability to give so much to the world by emitting feelings of love and wellbeing despite what is happening around you." (Rhonda Byrne - The Secret)
Now I feel more empowered to assist in world strife...just me, small me.
My thoughts can tip the scales....
We need to consciously see our angels going there and working the work needed.
Choose joy!
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Claim the Joy Hidden in Life
There is hidden joy within us all, the secret is to get up and jump, call out in a loud voice shake up the energy inside!!!!
One of my favourite spiritual writers: Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen wrote this...it's from his book - The Dance of Life:
I have to learn to “steal” all the real joy there is to steal and lift it up for others to see. Yes, I know that not everyone has been converted yet, that there is not yet peace everywhere, that all pain has not yet been taken away, but still, I see people turning and returning home, I hear voices that pray, I notice moments of forgiveness, and I witness many signs of hope. I don’t have to wait until all is well, but I can celebrate every little hint of the Kingdom at hand.
This is a real discipline. It requires choosing for the light even when there is much darkness to frighten me, choosing for life even when the forces of death are so visible, and choosing for the truth even when I am surrounded with lies. I am tempted to be so impressed by the obvious sadness of the human condition that I no longer claim the joy manifesting itself in many small but very real ways. The reward of choosing joy is joy itself ……once you choose to claim the joy hidden amid the suffering, life becomes celebration.
Fr. Henri J.M.Nouwen
The Dance Of Life
In times like this, when South Africa is going through democratic change, bombings and open gunfire in Mumbai...it's these times, when it is a REAL discipline to choose joy.
The walls seem to come closer in, and the darkness seems to overtake the light, but remember, gasp for a deep breath, shout and and reclaim the joy within.
One of my favourite spiritual writers: Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen wrote this...it's from his book - The Dance of Life:
I have to learn to “steal” all the real joy there is to steal and lift it up for others to see. Yes, I know that not everyone has been converted yet, that there is not yet peace everywhere, that all pain has not yet been taken away, but still, I see people turning and returning home, I hear voices that pray, I notice moments of forgiveness, and I witness many signs of hope. I don’t have to wait until all is well, but I can celebrate every little hint of the Kingdom at hand.
This is a real discipline. It requires choosing for the light even when there is much darkness to frighten me, choosing for life even when the forces of death are so visible, and choosing for the truth even when I am surrounded with lies. I am tempted to be so impressed by the obvious sadness of the human condition that I no longer claim the joy manifesting itself in many small but very real ways. The reward of choosing joy is joy itself ……once you choose to claim the joy hidden amid the suffering, life becomes celebration.
Fr. Henri J.M.Nouwen
The Dance Of Life
In times like this, when South Africa is going through democratic change, bombings and open gunfire in Mumbai...it's these times, when it is a REAL discipline to choose joy.
The walls seem to come closer in, and the darkness seems to overtake the light, but remember, gasp for a deep breath, shout and and reclaim the joy within.
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