Life is a constant ebb and flow. Challenges attempt to disrupt our ease and peace, but as we intentionally cultivate joy, our energy steadies and positively shifts.
JOY = A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something exceptionally festive or satisfying.
What brings you joy in this moment?
What are you looking forward to that makes you smile? 😊
Take a minute to daydream and plan for joy. Allow yourself to be light and free.
“Let go of heaviness. Seek that which is light. Gravitate toward joy. Your soul and body will lead you, if only you will listen. Walk lightly. Speak and laugh lightly, as much as possible. Go lightly along your way.” ~ Melody Beattie
“…when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” James 1:2-4 New Living Translation
I ______ to cultivate more joy into my life. No matter my circumstances, I choose to be joyful. Divine joy fills my soul.
JOY Meditation
Think of a time you experienced COMPLETE JOY. It may be a recent happening, or from the past. Picture it clearly in your heart and mind.
Feel all the emotions.
What sensations do you feel in the body?
Where do you feel these sensations?
Label your emotions with one word.
Label the sensations felt with one word.
Tuck these words deep into your memory account of joy.
May the peace of your being leap from heart to heart and mind to mind like a wildfire in dry grass. Through the simple act of being present here and now, may the peace that passes all understanding be fanned from spark to flame to true illumination.
“Wait quietly in my presence while My thoughts form silently in the depths of your being. Do not rush this process, because hurry keeps your heart earthbound. I am the Creator of the entire universe, yet I choose to make my humble home in your heart. It is there where you know me most intimately; it is there where I speak to you in holy whispers. Ask My Spirit to quiet your mind so that you can hear my still small voice within you. I am speaking to you continually. . . words of JOY. Tune your heart to receive these messages of abundant blessing. Lay your requests before Me, and wait in expectation.”
(Adapted from Jesus Calling, September 21, by Sarah Young)
One of the best statements I have heard and taken to heart is — live with no regrets, ALL experiences are valuable life lessons. How many times have you said to yourself, “I wish I would have, could have, or should have ___________________________?
Woulda-Coulda-Shoulda All the Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas Layin’ in the sun Talkin’ ‘bout the things They woulda-coulda-shoulda done… But those Woulda-Coulda-Shouldas All ran away and hid From one little did.
This “woulda-coulda-shoulda” thinking resides in the past, in the yesterdays, and continually replays the same old stories. The practice of yoga helps us to focus on the present moment, embracing the fullness of NOW, and guides us to take the right action at the right time, gracefully leading us forward. Let’s all be the “one little did.” 😊 “We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to shed before the new one can come.” ~ Joseph Campbell
Reflection Questions:
✭ What “woulda-coulda-shouldas” replay in your mind? Begin to let them go. Imagine filling a huge helium balloon inside your heart space as you inhale deeply. Now, exhale completely, releasing all that is no longer serving you. Witness this large balloon flying away into the sky, becoming smaller and smaller as it reaches higher into the atmosphere. As you shift your thoughts from the past into the present, remember these three great guidelines — no blaming, no shaming, no judgement.
✭ What valuable life lessons have you learned along the way? Embrace them all, and be grateful for each experience.
✭ In the quiet and stillness listen to the still small voice inside. Tune into your heart space. What is your heart drawn to? What radiates? Observe and listen. Remain present. Taking the right action at the right time gracefully guides you forward.
✭ Now, is there another voice in your mind interfering, criticizing, stifling? Observe and listen. Allow this voice to dim, to soften. Honor the truth within your soul. No blaming, no shaming, no judgement.
Point of Radiance by Danna Faulds Find the point of radiance in your heart. Whether that be passion, pleasure, or pain so deep it’s etched in blood, follow where your true heart leads. When it seems there is no light, look carefully, for it is always there, that ember of the God-force. It may be hidden in a dim corner or buried beneath a pile of regrets, but it’s there nonetheless, that spark of divine essence, illuminating your next step. ❤️
May you live with no regrets. ALL of your experiences are valuable life lessons. May you gracefully take the right action at the right time, and be the “one little did.” 😊
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. ~ Romans 12:1-2, The Message
What is at the forefront of your mind and heart today? ❤️
Let’s dedicate this time to connecting within, receiving what we truly need. Is that wisdom for a particular situation? An answer to a deep seeded question? A need for deep refreshment and renewal? Physical or emotional healing? Take a moment to seek your trueheart, your deepest longings. Connect deeply within and without, sensing a sweet embrace, an unconditional love like no other. “At the very moment I called out to you, you answered me! You strengthened me deep within my soul and breathed fresh courage into me” (Psalms 138:3 TPT). As Brennan Manning stated, “I have been seized by the power of a great affection.” Allow yourself to be seized by a great, Divine affection, our True Connection. Love is the secret password for every soul. ❤️
Draw me into the depths. Take me down to the holy darkness to Love’s roots. I lean into that darkness, The darkness that surrounds me, This nurturing room for my restless spirit.
Let me borrow your eyes, Beloved. Then I shall see in the dark, though for answers I do not look. It is enough to wait, To wait in the holy darkness, This nurturing womb for Love’s yearning.
Listening to the sound of silence, And leaning into the song of darkness, I wait for You. Waiting with purpose for who I will become, Waiting without agenda for things I can not change, I become one with the One I love,
For I have seen too many stars, Too many stars to let the darkness overwhelm me.
I keep vigil: with my heart’s eternal questions, and with my deep longings. with those places in my being where the light has grown dim. with those whose hearts are tired, and with those whose hope is lost. for those who sleep and for those who can not rest. for those with fearful hearts, and for those whose hearts are angry. for those whose courage is waning and for those whose strength is growing. for those who suffer, and for those who keep vigil.
I keep vigil. I keep vigil. I keep vigil. I keep vigil,
For I have seen too many stars, Too many stars to let the darkness overwhelm me.
“Sometimes, the road ahead is blocked, but clearing the way becomes part of our journey. Learn to tell when it’s time to let go, to surrender, to search for another road, a different path, another dream. But also learn to tell when it’s time to move forward, through obstacles if need be, because the dream is electric, charged by Divine energy and love.” ~ Melody Beattie, Journey to the Heart
Altar Meditation
Imagine a beautiful body of water before you.
You begin to walk close to this refreshing, relaxing, healing place. It may be the ocean, a stream, a lake, or river. Hear its sounds and smell the fresh air around you. Soak in its awe and wonder. As you approach the shoreline, you notice a unique altar — it may be a large rock, a wood log, or a man made altar. Envision this sacred place.
You feel drawn to release something at the altar, something that is no longer serving you.
As you let go of what no longer serves, a beautifully wrapped gift appears on the altar with your name on it. You gently take hold of the gift, open it, and look inside.
What is it?
How does it make you feel?
A trusted Guide, a Spirit figure, softly appears before you and you speak to them about the gift.
With welcoming eyes and a receptive heart, accept their words of love.
I am always here for you.
I love you unconditionally.
You can come to Me at anytime, anywhere, dropping immediately into My Presence.
Treasure this gift created just for you.
Now, listen closely, and receive their words of wisdom for your situation or deep seeded question.
You express gratitude for their embracing Presence, and for the special gift.
Their wisdom directs your path.
You feel secure.
Your heart is encouraged and filled with love and hope. ❤️
May you continue to be seized by the power of a great affection. Love is the secret password for every soul. ✨
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique.” ~ Martha Graham
Are you aware of your actions as they are happening? Have you ever practiced being your own silent, compassionate witness — looking from the outside and observing your whole self? When we are open and honest with ourselves, and listen to the spirit of truth deep within, we receive genuine insight. In yoga, this is called SVADHYAYA, self study or selfawareness. Observation and awareness are the first steps toward change. Pause between your breath, thoughts, feelings, and actions — listen and receive from them. Let yourself learn from each experience and receive compassionate insight. Be the best version of you! 🌟
If a situation keeps repeating itself, ask what can I learn? Instead of resisting or trying to power your way through challenges, consider a more compassionate approach and ask yourself these key questions for personal reflection and growth.
What lessons am I learning right now? What do I need to say that has been unspoken? What skills or talents am I not utilizing? What signs have I been misinterpreting or ignoring? How is life asking me to grow right now? What have I been avoiding out of fear? What part of me have I been afraid to express and show the world? What do I really want or need? How do I want to feel? What am I committed to changing?
(Adapted from 10 Essential Questions To Ask When You Feel Stuck by Shannon Kaiser)
“One new perception, One fresh thought, One act of surrender, One change of heart, One leap of faith… Can change your life forever.” ~ Robert Holden
Open Nothing to wall out or hold in. Open like the wide sky at twilight. Open as the ocean or the reach of the unknown. Open as a heart that chooses not to close. ~ Danna Faulds
Remind yourself to practice compassionate self observation and self study in your daily living. Before retiring each night, ask yourself, “What did I learn today?” and be grateful for the insights. Be the best version of you. 🌟
“The work of a mature person is to carry grief in one hand, and gratitude in the other, and to be stretched by them.” ~ Tim McKee
There is something powerful about the space that lies between our two full hands. Between our grief and our gratitude lies our hearts—and this is where we do our hardest work. This space of tension has the power to transform you, if you can let it. ~ Stephanie Moors
This week’s intention is FORGIVENESS. Forgiveness is full of heart opening, honesty, humility and vulnerability. I have found that those who forgive freely are those who have been forgiven much. Experiencing true forgiveness, whether deserved or not, opens the heart to hope and freedom.
“Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of courage.” ~ Brene’ Brown
Do you struggle with anger? Well really, who doesn’t? What’s interesting is anger is a secondary emotion, just the tip of the iceberg of all our original sources of unresolved pain: hurt, humiliation, betrayal, abandonment, abuse, and rejection.
Identify who has made you angry or resentful. Identify what was taken from you. Decide to forgive that person.
When do you think you’ll be ready? The longer you carry the anger, the greater the risks, and you may lose sight of the original source.
Who can you forgive today? It may be even forgiving yourself.
Be honest with yourself…what are you feeling deep down inside? Under the anger. Under the rage. Under the numb “I don’t care, it doesn’t matter.” Are you really feeling scared? Hurt? Abandoned? Go more deeply into yourself and your emotions than you have ever gone before. Be more honest with yourself than you have ever been before. The way to the heart is tender, soft, gentle, and honest. The way to the heart is to be vulnerable. You don’t have to be so brave. You don’t have to be so strong. You don’t always have to walk away with your head held high saying, “I can handle this, I’ve been through worse before.” Become angry if you must. Feel your rage if it’s there. Go numb once in a while, if you must. Then take a chance, and go a little deeper. Go way down deep inside. See what’s there. Take a look. Risk being vulnerable. ~ Melody Beattie
Forgiveness Meditation ❤️
Reflect for a moment on that quality we call forgiveness. Bring into your mind, actually into your heart, the image of someone for whom you have some resentment. Take a moment to feel that person right there at the center of your chest in the heart center. And in your heart say to that person: “I forgive you for anything you may have done in the past, either intentionally or unintentionally, through your thoughts, words, or actions that caused me pain. I forgive you.” Slowly allow that person to settle into your heart. Don’t judge yourself for how difficult it is. No force, just opening slowly to them at your own pace. Say to them: “I forgive you. I forgive you for the pain you caused me in the past, intentionally or unintentionally by your thoughts, your deeds, your words. I forgive you.” Gently, gently open to them. If it hurts, let it hurt. Gradually open to that person. That resentment, that incredible anger, even if it burns, ever so gently though. Forgiveness. “I forgive you.” Let your heart open to them. It is so painful to hold someone out of your heart. “I forgive you.” Let your heart open just a bit more to them. Just a moment of opening, of forgiveness, letting go of resentment. Allow them to be forgiven.
Now, opening more to forgiveness, bring into your heart the image of someone from whom you wish to ask forgiveness. Speak to them in your heart. “I ask your forgiveness for anything I may have done in the past that caused you pain, either by my thoughts or my actions or my words. Even for those things I didn’t intend to cause you pain, I ask your forgiveness.” “For all those words that were said out of forgetfulness or fear. Out of my closed-ness, out of my confusion. I ask your forgiveness.” Don’t allow any resentment to hold yourself closed, to block your reception of that forgiveness. Let your heart soften to it. Allow yourself to be forgiven. Let yourself be freed. Let that unworthiness come up, that anger at yourself-let it all fall away. Let it all go. Open to the possibility of forgiveness. “I ask your forgiveness for whatever I may have done in the past that caused you pain. By the way I acted or spoke or thought, I ask your forgiveness.” It is so painful to hold yourself out of your own heart. Bring yourself into your heart. Say “I forgive you,” to yourself. Don’t reject yourself. Using your own first name, in your heart say, “I forgive you.” Open to that. Let it be. Make room in your heart for yourself. “I forgive you.” All those resentments, let them fall away. Open to the self-forgiveness. Let yourself have some space. Let go of that bitterness, that hardness, that judgement of your self. Say, “I forgive you.” to you. Let some glimmering of loving-kindness be directed toward yourself. Allow your heart to open to you. Let that light, that care for yourself, grow. Self-forgiveness. Watch how thoughts of unworthiness and fears of being self-indulgent try to block the possibility of once and for all letting go of that hardening. See the freedom in self-forgiveness. How can you hold on to that pain even a moment longer? Feel that place of love and enter into it. Allow yourself the compassion and care of self-forgiveness. Let yourself float gently in the open heart of understanding, of forgiveness, and peace. Feel how hard it is for us to love ourselves. Feel the pain in the hearts of all those caught in confusion. Forgive them. Forgive yourself. Let go gently of the pain that hides the immensity of your love. Let yourself love and be loved.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
There is freedom in forgiveness.
I forgive you, and I forgive myself, and I am free. ❤️
✨Love ~ Serve ~ Inspire✨ 