Message of Joy

By Joy Heartsong
First published in Heartsong Healing Newsletter – Tiger Talk

If you had a choice, would you rather go upstream or downstream?  Think about it for a moment.  On the one hand, we may feel negative emotions, struggles and dissatisfaction with life.  With the downstream hand, there’s a sense of feeling lighter and being more positive, confident and trusting.

It’s amazing how hard we work to go upstream when what we really want is to take the path of least resistance.  Since you always have a choice, what’s it going to be?  No excuses or qualifiers, please. We don’t need to know your tale of woe or why you can’t do anything to change it.  It just is. We can’t always make it go away, but we can shift the way we feel about it, talk about it and think about it.

Most of us would prefer doing a 180 degree turn to go downstream if we truly believed we could. Instead we may feel lost about the “how”, paralyzed by the unknown or afraid of endangering life and limb, our own or someone else’s.  It’s time to muster up our courage. It’s time to let go of everything but the desire to be happy and have the kind of life you want.

Are you ready to take the plunge into the depths of happiness? If so, take a big breath and exhale slowly. Now let go of the oars and trust that the boat will turn effortlessly; soon you’ll find yourself flowing with the current.  “Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily…”

I love this quote by Abraham-Hicks excerpted from the book Money and the Law of Attraction, Learning to Attract Health, Wealth and Happiness,#463:

“Whenever you are feeling less than good, if you will stop and say, ‘Nothing is more important than that I feel good; I want to find a reason now to feel good,’ you will find an improved thought.”

If you find yourself going upstream again, even with all your good intentions, simply look for a happier thought.  When you have it, allow yourself to focus on it until you’re once again going gently down the stream.

As you continue going with the flow, you’ll have more energy to love the things you do and do the things you love.  Quiet contemplation, inner listening and a joyful spirit will become your trusted guides on your journey.

Love the things you do, and do the things you love!

Joy is a Healing Touch Certified Practitioner/Instructor and intuitive energy healer. In her private practice, she specialiizes in relieving your pain, stress and allergies. She is passionate about helping  claim your true power by connecting with the wisdom of the Tiger within.  She can be reached at www.heartsonghealing.com

This column is in honor of Erma Bombeck.  Erma was the first person to explain to me the subtle differences between men and women.  Growing up in the 60s and 70s, my concept of men was based on television dads like the kindly Hugh Beaumont (the Beaver’s dad), then like the unflappable Fred MacMurray in My Three Sons and finally like the opinionated Archie Bunker in All in the Family.  Those were my motley role models.

Add to it that my generation was being told “Men were from Mars, the Warrior Planet; and women, Venus, the world of love and romance.   No wonder, I was confused.

And then I discovered Erma Bombeck in the morning newspaper.  She was equally confused about the changing gender roles.  Sometimes, she was mystified about the how June Cleaver (the Beaver’s mom) found time to cleaned her house in white gloves and pearls -  while Erma hid things, so not to have to dust and sweep.  She wasn’t a gloves and pearls kind of lady nor a bra burning woman – uncomfortable in both worlds, striving to create her own – one that she fit in, one that made sense.

She used her column to work out some of the inconsistencies in life, especially the communication conflicts between men and women.  She tried to explain the subtle differences between the sexes, while making it ok for men to be warriors and women, lovers.  Even if I didn’t always understand the differences, she made me laugh.  Erma gave me hope that when I was her age (and as a teen, that seemed impossible) I would understand that there are differences between the sexes and I would laugh about them too.

One of my favorite columns talked about how couples get ready for bed.  In honor of Erma, I’ve up-dated the couples nightly ritual.

My husband rubbed his chin, looked at the cat sleeping peacefully under on his lap, under his lap top and said, “I think it’s time to go to bed.” to whomever was listening.

Agreeing, I started closing down programs on my computer, sending off last minute emails, checking the family’s schedule for tomorrow – our collegiate’s, our high schooler’s, our married daughter (quick check of her blog will tell me where she’ll be tomorrow), my husband (remember to remind about a hair cut) and mine (3 meetings – will need to get up early to prep).

Then it’s a quick trip to the laundry room to either put a load into the dryer or hang up a load to dry.  Before going upstairs, I pick up dirty dishes, clean clothes/towels and anything else that needs to go up.  After climbing the stairs, I put the dishes in the sink, clothes in the upstairs basket and towels in the linen closet.  Then, back to the kitchen to turn on the tea kettle, feed the puppies a quick snack and put them out.  While waiting on them, I remind our teen that it is time to turn off her computer and go to sleep.  I turn off extra lights, the dogs’ music and let the pets in, locking the door and, making sure they have fresh water.  The tea kettle boils just as I tuck the puppy into her kennel.  I make a quick hot drink for my husband and me and carry it downstairs.

After handing the cup to my husband, I feed and water the cats.  On finishing our drinks, I collect the mugs and put them out of the kitties reach.   I, then, turn the bed covers down and start getting ready for bed.

My husband slowly lifts the cat off his lap, puts his laptop aside, rubbing his chin again, he say, “I guess it’s time to go to bed” and I agree.

Rachael Jayne Groover
The YIN Project
www.TheYinProject.com
 
Holidays can be one of the hardest times of the year if you are single. I know that first-hand. If you find yourself this year without a partner I urge you not to retreat on your own, but to look around you. How many couples do you see having a committed, sexy, fun, spiritually-enhancing relationship?  Not many? If you know some, carve out time to be around them this season.  Like just about anything else, the more knowledge and positive role models you have around you, the more chance of success you have. Take a moment, right now, and write their names down so you remember to connect with them. Ask them questions about their relationship.  The more you see positive, passionate, conscious couples, the more you will believe that you can be part of one too.
In the past, Datta and I both had our fair share of lonely holidays, confusion and heart-break. We had to overcome limiting beliefs that said, “The odds of finding a partner who fits with us in all areas of life are very low.” We are grateful to now be able to pin-point the specific things that shifted everything for us. Within months of these shifts occurring, we started dating each other. Our passion and love has been growing ever since.
If you long for an extraordinary love affair that will sweep you off your feet, we are here as an example that it is ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE.  However, you must take an honest look at your readiness and what you are energetically communicating to others. Above all, you must understand what not only attracts, but feeds the opposite gender over the long haul. Couples who are in love and still have the passion flowing can help you with this.

This year we set time aside to share all we know about becoming ready for this type of relationship.
Rachael Jayne Groover is running a Home Study Program on www.MoreThanDating.com

Comments:
When I first read Rachel’s article I had to smiles.  Paul and I have been together close to twenty years.  A passionate holiday season – well there was the year we stayed up to put together something – a bike or something that the box said, even a kindergartener can do it – it did heat up when it was apparent that we would have to find a kindergartener to put it together.
I do agree – find a loving couple or family to enjoy the holidays with and emulate.  The love comes from preparing for the holidays together and instilling traditions.  Whether it’s the cooking and baking or the cleaning or decorating or singing – they all come together to create the memories filled with love.
If you are feeling lonely and unloved, then get up and do something about it.  You won’t meet your partner hiding inside your house or hanging out online.  You can connect online with someone, but they too are lonely and unhappy and they too are probably too afraid to leave their house. 
This Christmas, if you are feeling lonely, find out where all the Community Christmas events are being hosted and go volunteer.  Talk to people.  Laugh with them.  Sing with them.  It will help you feel apart of the holiday.

When you are feeling more relaxed, more joyous you will attract people into your life.  The more people you invite into  your life the greater the chance you will me the romance of your life.
Have a joyous holiday and a wondrous New Year.