13 January 2021
The source of joy and well-being is always internal, yet many of us look for it on the external level. A sense of well-being is an intrinsic, rather than extrinsic phenomenon. But here’s why that can be so illusive – ALL emotion and perception originates internally. Every experience, everything thought, and every emotion you have, are coming from within you. In other words, you are the generator of all emotions and experiences. The good, the bad, and the ugly are expressed inside to outside. Yes, there are unpleasant things that can trigger negative responses, but the experience of emotion is yours for the keeping. So own up to them, embrace and accept them. But once the dust settles on unpleasant experience, you have to notice the lingering flavor of joy that resides within you.
Today, begin to uncover the source of your joy. Back up from distraction of surface life. Take time to notice when joy bubbles up to the surface. Allow a sense of wellness to come from you, don’t wait for it to come to you. You generate joyfulness, not your circumstance. Remember, the mind is the perfecter of deception. It will convince you that the present moment is not enough. What you have now, where you are now, and what you’re doing now, are never good enough for the mind. Try to abandon such foolish thinking, and reconnect to the simple, ease of joyful intention. Joy doesn’t “need” anything on the outer condition. It depends solely on your inner BEING. Reconnect to joy’s energy by opening yourself to its prompt to notice it, deep within you. Joy is more easily noticed in quiet, in simple times, and in service to others. You don’t need to travel to some remote location, or to go on a retreat to notice it. It’s always been there, and it will always be there for you. You don’t need to win the lottery to experience joy. You’ve already hit the jackpot today, if these words resonate within your soul. Be the source of joy that abundantly resides within you. The world depends upon it.