Expression

Day 51

“True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done, the zest of creating things new.”

– Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I contemplated the powers of the peacock in the back of my mind throughout the day today, wondering how that would help me tune into joy. I don’t know why that was the answer I got from the universe yesterday, and I’m not going to try to figure it out. I just know that I did, in fact, attract information about tuning into joy – I came across several articles today that had to do with what the real definition of joy is, how to attain it, and what blocks us from feeling it.

Synchronicity.

One of the articles I read suggested that joy is to be found in the service of others, in losing the self to the greater cause or community, that focusing on your own desires is not the way to get there. I agree that joy comes from helping others, but only to the extent that it is directly proportionate to the desire to help. In others words, the more you want to serve others, the more joy service will bring you. In truth, the joy is still your own. You feel happy when you help someone else, so you are still being true to yourself. I don’t believe that you can actually be of service to anyone else if you’re not being true to yourself – it’s human nature. If you are selflessly helping others and you aren’t passionate about your work, it will make you miserable instead of joyful, and eventually you’ll stop doing it.

Another article suggested that joy comes through meditation. The article draws a correlation between success, meditation and joy, stating that the process of clearing the noise to hear your inner voice, to transcend your physical reality and allow your greater self to emerge will leave you feeling “full of hope, a sense of contentment, and deep joy.” This article about outrageously successful people opposes the view of the previous article, accepting without question that following your passion is the path to joy. It is their selfish pursuits that brought joy to them and to the people in their lives, as well as to countless strangers around the world.

The third article was the most interesting in my opinion. It was a one day experiment in New York City, where a chalk board was setup in the middle of Manhattan for passers by to respond to one statement: Write Your Biggest Regret. The overwhelming theme that emerged was that people regretted what they did not do, they regretted not following their dreams, they didn’t regret what they did do. Isn’t regret by definition the opposite of joy?

So what blocks you from tuning into your divine birthright to abundant joy? Not pursuing the things you dream of. Not following your passions. Not listening to your inner voice. Not expressing your uniqueness. Not allowing your creativity to flourish.

Not. Being. You.

Universe, maybe you’re on to something with the peacock thing. I can’t say I’ve tuned into abundant joy yet, but the wheels are certainly in motion, and I’m on my way!

I did take some time today to let go, and let my mind be free of thoughts. Joyful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!