Journal of Sacred Work

3 responses to “Days 179-181 – Open Forum”

1. 

   ~liz Wessel

   June 29, 2008

   A close friend stopped by to see me and we mutually shared some of life’s happenings. She said to me, “Usually when I smile I get this rush that feels so good, but I just don’t feel it, so I am working on it.” This comment caused me to take stock of my own internal feelings and I realized that I all I felt was a deep heaviness in my heart. I began to reflect on a person’s ability to access joy in times of sorrow. Thich Naht Hahn recommends smiling slightly with mindfulness throughout the day and it will have a transformative effect. I have decided to try this practice.
   During a Lenten contemplative prayer session I recall Father Jim speaking of the joy that lies deep within; a joy that is our natural state of being. I believe the source of this joy is the realization that we have received a spark of the divine and we have a responsibility to nurture this gift. Perhaps in stillness this joy will begin to bubble up into my awareness.
   The following are a few reflections from some great men and women on joy.
   “Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning. One way or another, we all have to find what best fosters the flowering of our humanity in this contemporary life, and dedicate ourselves to that. Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy. The goal of life is to make your heartbeat match the beat of the universe, to match your nature with Nature. We’re so engaged in doing things to achieve purposes of outer value that we forget the inner value, the rapture that is associated with being alive, is what it is all about. When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.
   Sacred space and sacred time and something joyous to do is all we need. Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again, and again. Almost anything then becomes a continuous and increasing joy. What you have to do, you do with play. I think a good way to conceive of sacred space is as a playground. If what you’re doing seems like play, you are in it. But you can’t play with my toys, you have to have your own. Your life should have yielded some. Older people play with life experiences and realizations or with thoughts they like to entertain. In my case, I have books I like to read that don’t lead anywhere.” ~Joseph Campbell
   Joy is prayer-Joy is strength-Joy is Love-Joy is a net of Love by which you can catch souls. God loves a cheerful giver. She gives most who gives with joy. The best way to show our gratitude to God and the people is to accept everything with joy. A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. Never let anything so fill you with sorrow as to make you forget the Joy of Christ risen. We all long for heaven where God is, but we have in our power to be in heaven with him at this very moment.” Mother Teresa
   “Joy is the next step of we stop running from pain”. ~Debra Duda
   “Joy is our sorrow unmasked.” ~Kahlil Gibran
   “No joy can equal the joy of serving others.” ~Sai Baba
   Joy
   Joy is the essence of our being
   The light that shines through us
   The stars of our own recognition.
   It’s the sun in our heart that reminds us
   Life is as divine on earth as it is in heaven.
   It’s a candle that lights the darkness
   It’s given to remind us
   Who we were before we were born
   The gift is always present.
   It only waits for us to acknowledge its presence.
   ~Debra Duda

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2. 

   Yvonne Ginez-Gonzales

   June 29, 2008

   Hello Liz… thank you for your reflection and sharing of others understanding or expressions of Joy. I personally don’t use the word “Joy” too often in my everyday life except on holidays or events mostly; and when I read your posting I pondered on why not?? You know, I am not really sure. Yet there is so much to be joyous about as noted in the many men and womens reflections you have shared. Maybe I just haven’t figured out how to express my “Joy”?? Until then I think my “Joy” is in being a hospice nurse.
   Joy is knowing your purpose. That you were created as an expression of God’s love to all the earth. Joy is knowing that you were designed to be as a rain drop and wherever you land that place will be blessed and nourished with the love of our Creator; God.
   ~ Pastor Marty McGrail

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3. 

   Maureen McDermott

   June 29, 2008

   Once again than you Liz for reminding us to focus on Life at a different level. You have the capacity to capture the moment and for me that is JOY. Your presence is one of joy which enimates from within, touching others with freshness, delight and the joy that is deep within us. I often image joy as a well/fountain, always springing forth with love, spraying encouragement, wonder, happiness, pleasure; with the end result of the emerging smile that covers the face – providing a welcome of grace to all those you encounter. Thanks Liz for you and for the joy that you share.

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