Joy - the Key to a Life well lived
We have said that Joy is the upliftment of the heart ... thus self-reflection and
self- examination are necessary.
Every day - preferably late in the day, or at night - review your day...and the feelings you experienced.
How many of these feelings filled you with joy / happiness / love... how often did you smile / laugh ... and for what reason...?
[if you smiled or laughed because of someone’s downfall then you just filled your heart with ego, and you’ve corrupted your life’s energies... the more we take pleasure from someone’s struggles, the more corrupt the energies.]
Be consciously aware of all the ‘good things’ in your life - from the simplest to the greatest... list these, honor and sustain them [invest in promoting them].
Too often we take so much for granted... as the old saying goes: I used to complain because I had no shoes, until I met a man that had no feet...
Be aware of ALL the things which we take for granted... and learn how to appreciate them.
[I had a client who bemoaned the fact that she was ‘poor’ because for the first time she could not afford to have cable TV... Well, in India poverty means that all you have is a begging bowl and the clothes on your back... and you will be sleeping on the street - even our homeless have more support than them.]
Learn to appreciate the natural beauty around you - from sunrises to sunsets...from flowers in bloom to leaves turning... from gentle breezes to falling rain...
Beauty is all around you - don’t get so caught up by social demands that you blind yourself to Nature.
Limit how much negativity you allow into your life - from political idiocies, to senseless violence, to the abuse of power, and the injustices of the letter-of-the-Law, to the devastation of extreme weather... such is our modern life...
But there are also acts of kindness, loving friends and neighbors, centers of healing and compassion, and many wonderful people who spontaneously reach out to help others...
Be more actively involved in these positive experiences... they will feed you with positive Prana, and keep you young and vibrant [best anti-ageing ever!]
If you should fall prey to exhaustion, anxiety, stress, or even depression, there are many supplements, minerals, herbs, and natural tonics that will help you regain your Radiant Center...[and if in doubt seek out a skilled Acupuncturist.]
Make your wellbeing your priority - after all, you can’t help others if you are struggling or in poor health.
Take regular time-out to pamper yourself, to enjoy those little pleasures which make you feel good... rest and recharge your energies [go for a walk in Nature, get a massage, take a bubble bath, go shopping...spoil yourself...play...laugh...socialize with good people...]; you will be a lot more efficient later on when dealing with unforeseen challenges...
And take time to expand your consciousness - meditate, do yoga / t’ai chi, read the works of great Masters, join a proper spiritual study group... and if you enjoy conventional religion, be sure that your minister is a follower of Light [i.e. does not judge / condemn / criticize / belittle / segregate...or claim that theirs is the only ‘true path’...]
Ultimately be compassionate towards others...and yourself...