Spirit Online
August 29, 2010
Scripture
“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” ~John 15:11
Thoughts
How much happiness do you want in your life? How much joy can you actually hold? Are you capable of generating enough joy to experience the absolute bliss and eternal joy of God? Or is there something holding you back?
Most of us have been conditioned to believe that we need external things to make us happy. We tell ourselves that only when we have the right house, the right car, the right job, and all the right material “musts” will we be able to achieve true happiness. At some level, that strategy works … until the kids spill a soda on the new carpet, or the brand new car gets a dent in the bumper. Then we’re off again in search of the next external obsession that we think will make us happy again.
The truth is that joy is not created by external things. Joy comes from within. And it is our responsibility to create our own joy by transforming our minds and feelings. We have to actually put the effort, intention, energy and desire into self-generating joy … which, in turn, will create a joyful external life for us.
It is universal law that we attract into our lives more of whatever we think, feel and believe. When we feel joy, God gives us more to feel joyful about. The happier we get, the more happiness we attract. The internal creates the external, not the other way around.
How many times have we told ourselves, “I would be so happy if I could win the lottery!” “My life would be so joyful if I could just find a loving partner!” “I could find true peace and happiness if I could only land the right job!”
Jesus said, “Do not wait four months until the harvest; for I tell you, open your eyes, and see that the fields are ripe for harvest.” We can’t wait for our happiness to follow from external things; we have to feel joy first. We must open our eyes to all the blessings for which we can feel joy right now. The kingdom of God is at hand: the joy, the wisdom, the wonder, the love, the bliss, the ecstasy, the everything of God is already within us. There is nothing stopping us from feeling complete joy and fulfillment at this very moment … we just have to choose to do so!
That’s a difficult concept for some of us to embrace, particularly when many of us were taught that life isn’t supposed to be enjoyable. We were brought up to believe that the more we suffered in this life, the more blessed we would be in the next. Yet in reality, it is the expression of joy – not suffering – that brings us closer to God.
If you truly think that winning the lottery – or some other external circumstance -- would make you happy, take a moment to try to feel what it would be like to actually have it. In truth, you don’t really want to win the lottery … what you want is the feeling of joy that you think winning the lottery will bring. Focus on feeling that joy now. Connect yourself to that joyful feeling. If you focus your thoughts on that kind of joy, an actual feeling of joy will follow!
Studies have shown that there is an area deep in the center of our brains that, when stimulated, will astronomically elevate every aspect of our emotional well being. Imagine that it is possible to spiritually create that kind of reaction! Close your eyes, and visualize yourself accessing that part of you, and actually feeling a sense of euphoria as a result. Imagine that, by continuing to focus on this area, you are soothing, enriching, healing, blessing and joyfully transforming every cell of your body. Try to imagine every detail of what the feeling of transformation is like. Doing this type of meditative practice – placing your complete focus on creating a greater sense of joy and total well being – can actually create a profound result. You will be able to actually feel euphoria taking over your whole being, and generating a greater sense of joy in your life.
Think how your life might change for the better if you worked on generating just 5% more internal joy. Remember: you’re not feeling the life you have; your feelings are creating the life you have! How much better would your life be if you managed to be just 5% happier about your job? How much more would you be blessed if you increased the joy in your relationships by just 5%?
Expanding your joy will not only generate a better external life for you, it will also bring you greater peace of mind. It will eliminate anxiety, fear, suffering, depression and anger. And it will raise the level of joy in those around you! Jesus said, “If I be lifted, I take all people with me.” Studies show that happy people – defined as those who experience three positive emotions for every one negative emotion – not only improve every aspect of their own lives, but also positively impact the lives of everyone around them. Their families are more joy-filled, their neighborhoods are friendlier, and their co-workers are more contented. By increasing our individual happiness, we can actually change the world!!!
Today, challenge yourself to increasing your happiness. Change your life and your world simply by being a happier “you.” Ratchet up the joy levels in every area of your life, and watch everything around you change. Your joy will lead you to knowing more of God. Affirm for yourself that, today, your path is a happy path. It is a path of ecstasy. It is the promise that you are God’s beloved, and that everything that God desires for you is right here, waiting for you to embrace it. We’re not here to struggle; we’re here to receive the glory of God. Open your heart, accept it, and let your joy flow!
Prayer
Living, loving Spirit, I open my heart, mind and soul to the activity of God that is in me right here and right now. Thank you for allowing me to feel your presence, and for giving me the ability to awaken to greater levels of joy, peace and fulfillment than I have ever before experienced. Thank you for the power to create my feelings and all that I desire in life. Today I choose to feel joy, gratitude and fulfillment. Today I choose to practice being happier than I have ever been before because, by doing so, I truly feel the presence of God. Thank you, God. Amen.
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