Discovering Joy

Have you ever done something that you may have not enjoyed or currently do not enjoy?  I think a lot of us can relate to jobs we have had or currently have.  I guess the real question is, why are we still doing this if we don't enjoy it?  The answer is simple, we do it because there is an outcome we desire that comes from it.  If we knew there was no "end goal" with what we did, why would we be doing something we don't enjoy?  Personally, I'd much rather follow things that I do enjoy!  Wouldn't you?! Maybe you are already doing this and if so, YAY!  You have found a special part of the path of this existence.

Now check this out, what if we made the "end goal" the "current goal" or better yet the "goal, NOW".  You see, like I stated above, we do the enjoyable things for the end result, pay check, 401K, medical benefits, bonuses, support our families, buy things we like, or whatever else you can think of as to why you do things you do.  Check it out...if the end goal became the goal, NOW; what would change?  How would you approach what it is you are doing or what you will choose to do?  The more we move into the present, we tap deeper into attuning ourselves with our higher Self.

You see, in short, the more we seek to become fulfilled with joy in things outside of us, the further we are removing ourselves from the truth...and that is, joy is an inward experience.  It can be created through experiences and people but most importantly it is cultivated within when we allow ourselves to feel grace in each moment to experience the ever pervading Universal joy circulating all around and within us.  Existence is here, its NOW, its YOU, its everything, and when we move more into Self, an unquenchable flow of joy will pour throughout your existence.

With love always.

Gratitude for Breakfast

We all have daily struggles, some more than others, and each are uniquely different to the individual. I myself, have experienced the feeling of disconnection.  Emotionally I did not feel fulfilled.  My mind had low energy fighting to create something that wasn't there.  Sometimes this still presents itself.  And when it does, I remind myself of the following:

"An Attitude of Gratitude creates abundance."  This really hit home for me.  When we live in terms of lack or victim, we are residing within the egoic self which is what creates suffering.  We are trying to find fulfillment in the things we do or are trying to attain.  In short, it is OUTSIDE of ourselves.  Don't get me wrong, these things do have some value but there is another variable in this equation to create fulfillment which is, "what happens within us."  When we transcend the ego, our Self becomes illuminated.  Life has a lightness to it.

In order to be in a state of abundance, we must think in terms of abundance and be grateful for what is happening now, good or bad, and keep that state of thanks strong and radiating!

All we will ever have is what's happening NOW.

One practice I perform as much as I can is in the morning while eating breakfast.  I take a moment right before eating, hover my hands over the plate, close my eyes, and give thanks to the process.  It goes something like this:

Gratitude for Breakfast

"Thank you Mother Earth for supplying the fertile grounds for this food to flourish.  Thank you Father Sky for your tears as you nourish the grounds of our divine Mother.  And to the farmers I give thanks for devoting your life to planting seeds within these rich and alive grounds for the food to grow and your ability to care for and harvest the crops.  I give thanks to the distribution center employees who have packaged and sent these items across the globe.  Thank you (your name) for dedicating time to prepare and cook this food to help nourish this body.  As I eat this food, I understand that we become one.  All is one.  Thank you"