The joy coming from America on Inauguration Day touched me and warmed my heart. Now the parties are over, does the joy need to evaporate? As President Obama pointed out there are many real issues yet to be resolved.
Is it reasonable to expect more joy out of life when so much turmoil is happening, and the daily news continues to cast its shadow over us? And is it even acceptable to be joyful in the midst of others' suffering? After all, misery loves company, does it not?
Misery does not necessarily love miserable company. In my experience, when I approach a person who is suffering with a smile, it seems to help them to relax and to feel better. The gentle touch of a hand, as Princess Diana showed so often, communicates a great deal, for both giver and receiver, and brings a moment of joy for each.
Our first responsibility is to ourselves so that in our giving, we give without expectation or need of reward or acknowledgment. When we first fill our own cup, we give from overflow. Why is this important? Each of us, without exception, is I believe richly endowed with gifts, talents, resources and love.
We have a responsibility to the love that we innately are, that is to say an ability potentially to respond in all circumstances with our love. As we mature, we no longer need to look to our parents, or parental figures, to supply love to us. We do need to learn to first accept and love ourselves and having done so, we may then freely give of our love to others.
This I believe is one challenge that we are now meeting, not just in America but everywhere. A mature community made up of adult individuals will make President Obama's task much easier. Maturity is, I have found, less a matter of years lived; more an attitude of mind. The mature of all ages embody a wonderful youthfulness of spirit.
For more joy through service:
1. Cultivate attitudes of joy in yourself
Appreciate the blessings that you are and that you have, and feel grateful for them. Choose to smile when you go to sleep, and when you wake up in the morning.
2. Do more that brings you joy
What are the simple things you can do that bring you joy? Walking in the fresh air perhaps, daily meditation, watching an inspiring movie or one that makes you laugh, for example.
3. Cultivate an attitude of serving others
When you assume a serving frame of mind, it is less likely you will feel needy, despairing or dependent upon outer, material circumstances for your well-being and happiness. Giving gives you freedom.
Whether at home or at work, how could you become more mindful of others' needs?
4. Find out what others need - and commit some time to giving it
Opportunities to serve others will not necessarily fall at your feet. Being pro-active is where you can make a real difference. You can experience great joy through performing simple tasks, like filling envelopes, cleaning, filing for example that take a load off people running a charitable organization,
One of the ways I raise my own quota of joy is through looking into the eyes of infants. The joy of an infant does not disappear as a person grows up. It may get hidden for a while, but it can always be once again revealed, as I saw clearly on 20th January this year when the extent of joy was so apparent.
Joy is inherent in the soul of each one of us. In joy, we are more creative and resourceful. With joy, we can produce better results. Joy will make the tasks ahead of us all much easier.
We may not be born to greatness, but in our own ways, we can achieve it. Not for recognition by others. Simply by the peace of mind that comes when we know we have done our best, as minor contributors towards a much larger solution. In that, we raise our joy in celebration of the expressions of love that we are.
Would you like more joy in your life? How could you create more joy if you wanted it? Have you ever found joy in serving others? I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
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It has been said that our greatest miracles are unknown to us. Somehow, I sense that what you are creating, here, Anne, with your generous way, is creating miracles all around. Thank you for your contribution. I love this community, too, and your role in it!
All the best, and blessings besides,
Cara
Thank you so very much. Your comment touches me and I really appreciate it. I do feel we are living in a time when miracles, observed or otherwise, can be more fully part of our lives. When the difficulties we face seem more than we can manage, then I believe a helping hand comes forward to assist our efforts. We are never exactly alone.
A few days ago when I was scribbling notes, I came up with: an epidemic of giving; a contagion of service and a viral infection of joy and gratitude.
I too love this community very much, and your presence with us.
With blessings and miracles to you!
Anne
Your writings are always consciousness-raising. They constitute such a "service" that I know you are proving the truth of that inspiring quotation from Rubindranath Tagore in your life. May that long continue.
Many blessings,
Correns
Thank you very much for your kind comment. Writing the posts here brings me tremendous joy and I do aim to offer something that will in some way brighten a reader's day. The beauty of it is: I brighten myself in the process. Whoever set up this thing called Life was very Smart!
With love to you,
Anne.
I love the piece you wrote, as well as offering specific ways to access joy. It is wonderful! I just attended a positive psychology conference (a blog about it is upcoming) and there was one study after another showing the range of emotions and qualities that benefit health, and love, joy, and gratitude were always at the top of the list.
In fact, there are now studies that show where the happiest countries are, and learning how to model it for others.
They say, "what you study, you become." By simply contemplating joy, thinking about it, you naturally begin to awaken it in yourself.
I will enjoy this piece today - thanks!
Kari
By simply contemplating joy, thinking about it, you naturally begin to awaken it in yourself.
One of my yoga names is Mitra- friend.
In joy,
Mitra (Ed)
What a lovely comment - thank you! I am so happy to hear how we are learning more about creating lasting health and well-being. As you say what we choose to focus upon, we get to expand. All the resources we need are available for us - we just have to go looking for them. Isn't that wonderful!
I look forward to reading your blog about the positive psychology conference. It must have been a heart-warming experience.
With love and blessings to you,
Anne
Hopefully, we will all be be able to tell the difference between the heartfelt call to service that is emanating across the land and the avoidance of responsitbility that Bush II seems to have represented. Blessings to you, Anne, and to the rest of this emerging community!
It really is a community to be proud of. Anne, Alex, Eli, Judith, Janice, Cara, Jason, Tara, Sara and others have given me much fruit for thought. Also the wonderful people who comment and bring our blogs alive. Those that love our blogs and those that challenge us.
Let us serve, love, speak truth and above all have fun. Oh and not take ourselves too seriously,
Life is an adventure,
Big Love,
Ed
Just want to put my 2 cents worth in here....... I too am delighted to feel this wonderful blogging community coming together. I so look forward to everyone's contributions, it feels kind of like a tribal circle.
And Anne, you occupy such a beautiful gentle spirit space. I always come away from your posts with something meaningful. Your article on joy through service is so on target. Just bringing the context of service into our everyday lives opens enormous possibilities for expanding our capacity for joy.
And on that note, I wanted to make you aware of a wonderful online course called Awakening Joy, taught by Buddhist dharma teacher, James Baraz, one of the founding teachers at Spirit Rock here in the Bay Area. Your readers can find it online at www.awakeningjoy.org. Imagine spending 10 months focusing on joy!
Thanks for such a lovely piece! (And PS- I love the quotes you use!)
Judith
It is a gift I think to express, to be listened to and be heard by others. Our different expressions become not a source of dissension but a cause for appreciation. When people are truly heard, they do not need to go out and fight to get attention. The spirit in us all deserves honouring, no matter who we are or where we come from.
I have noticed that in situations where communications are open, honest and heartfelt, amazing things can happen. Conversation is such a sweet art form.
With love for us all,
Anne
The value of service at this point in history I think is not just what it contributes to others, but the benefit it provides for the givers.
The economy is facing much greater challenges now than it was 8 years ago. The bad news can make the ordinary individual feel helpless and powerless. To know that there is something you can do, however seemingly insignificant, can assist you to rise to the occasion; to become part of the solution and as a result feel more able to address the challenges at hand. Of course, that is a choice.
I appreciate your comment.
Best regards,
Anne
In Buddhism they speak of the 4 Heavenly Abodes.
I love Mudita- Sympathetic Joy. Mudita is taking joy in other peoples happiness.
It is also wishing another well even if you may be jealous or envious of them. I keep mudita close.
May all people be joyful,
Ed
Thank you! Mudita is lovely - I was not aware of it before. The love the sound of the word - it has a very soothing quality. And yes very good to keep close.
May the joy touch and enrich us all,
Anne
That is an interesting perspective. I had not thought of it. Thank you for offering another look at what could be possible.
Blessings to you,
Anne
Your post put so much joy in my heart's gas tank today.
After a long day here at the California Applicant Attorney Conference I went to sleep thinking of those workers who have been injured at work and are on the verge of losing thier homes. As a coach and speaker I am hearing ot the challenges in so many different industries. Last month alone over 600,000 lost thier jobs. I awoke with a deep awareness of how the current state of affairs is calling me/ us to be more deeply connects.
There is such opportunity to be of service- and such joy in doing simple things to serve other. Your post and the magnificent quotes turbocharged my intention to share loving and kindness.
Thank you and Bless You,
Eli
Thank you very much for your comment. I am very happy to top up the joy in your heart's gas tank - you are one of the great givers of God's joy!
My heart goes out to those who are losing their jobs and homes. It is devastating for families and communities when layoffs happen on a large scale as they did in Europe in the late 1970's. My prayer is that the downturn will be short, and the upturn be magnificent. I think what may facilitate this prayer being answered is the expressions of love from many who stop forward to contribute - however they can.
I so appreciate the awareness that you share.
With warm loving and Light to you,
Anne
I cannot tell you how very much I appreciate your comment. It seems to me that the values you hold and express form the backbone of the American nation, especially in rural America as you describe it where there is such a strong sense, and tradition of, community.
I honour the many ways you give and have given of your time and caring for others, and have also allowed yourself to be the beneficiary of others' help when you have been in need. You have the most wonderful philosophy and what a great gift to have passed it on to your children and grandchildren.
The spirit that you show is what makes the American people remarkable and I think is what your new President is calling upon. It is there and I am sure it will be showing its face more and more.
You must be proud not only of your commitment to the philosophy you hold, but also of being an American citizen.
Thank you for your comment.
Best regards,
Anne