Photo Credit: Ray Hennessy
In all the Oracle Card Decks I’ve owned, “Hummingbird” is always associated with JOY. Denise Linn, in “The Sacred Forest Oracle” says “Replenish yourself. True happiness comes from following the dictates of your soul. Life is change. Be open to change and look for joy in the moment. Find your boundaries and stand strong. Discover your joy! All is well!”
My JOY journey began in 2006 when I was exploring the concept of Happiness. What was it that made me happy? This question was one I couldn’t answer and, in my experience, a lot of people around me couldn’t answer it either. In fact, I couldn’t really understand the question. It had never occurred to me that you could be Deliberately Happy. Of course, that then made me question: Am I Happy?
My response was ‘No. I am Not Happy.’
Next thought: ‘Hmm. I don’t even know what being happy means.’
And there began the Journey of Finding JOY.
Being Happy wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to feel happiness right into the core of me - body, bones, heart, soul. Every part of me.
In my mind, that meant I was Seeking More … I was Seeking JOY.
At the same time I was learning about Angels and digging into Oracle Cards, so I put the two together and began my first newsletter ~ the “JOY Express” was born.
The newsletter, written in colour and decorated with clip art, was a monthly event sent out to friends and family. I shared what was bringing me JOY.
Then, I discovered Blogging!
JOY Express newsletter became JOY Express Blog!
WOW! That was Sheer JOY! I had a space and place to write about life and all my experiences.
Blogging evolved into doing Oracle Card Journeys. The first one was via email - 700 emails in one week. Yep, I was very happy to discover Facebook then. The Oracle Card Journeys and JOY Sharing moved to Facebook Groups.
Now, JOY is created, shared, sustained via my New Community and this Newsletter. Oh, there is the Card Deck I created and the Blogs I write in every so often, too, but mostly it’s here.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and soul-searching about JOY and what it means to me, going forward. The pandemic world is challenging me to Find My JOY in different ways. What used to be externally fed JOY energy has become more of an internal process. Where I used to share JOY through the process of Happie Mail ~ sending positive, uplifting, hand-written messages in a card, through the postal service, to others ~ I now need to spend time focusing on Me.
My Journey of Creating and Sustaining JOY has evolved, again.
Spending even more time at home, navigating the local COVID challenges, the ‘noise’ around me comes from Press Conferences and Social Media. I am yearning for distractions and knowledge that can help me to feel better about where I am at and where the world is at.
That ‘noise’ is emotionally charged and very heavy.
It’s also very compelling … insidious even.
The JOY Journey is now a path of JOY Discernment. I need to pay attention to what is Feeding my JOY and what is poisoning my joy.
It’s Really Hard, this path I find myself travelling.
News broadcasts are addictive (maybe there will be some positive/happy updates - Me). Social media offers a place for people to vent (I’m honestly shocked at what beliefs some of my ‘friends’ have).
I get lost in the drama, the reactions, the fallout, the distress; everything-that-kills-JOY.
There is one thing I have found JOY in, this week: I really love my art work. I adore colour. I feel great when I do my virtual calls with my artwork in the background and I am wearing my favourite purple jacket.
That brings me to here, my awareness for today and going forward: What is FEEDING My JOY and what is Poisoning my Joy?
What am I doing that makes me SMILE? (Oh, the new Fast & Furious movie is out ~ Can. Not. WAIT. to watch it!!)
How can I dilute the impact of the COVID-in-Melbourne situation? (Listen to the Press Conference while doing other things rather than watching it on the television while sitting on the couch.)
How can I redirect my focus, or distract myself, to happier thoughts? (Back to planning Gypsy life ~ staying in a variety of locations around the state ~ for after we sell our house.)
I’m a JOY Work In Progress. I’m learning, again, what makes me happy and what brings me JOY. I’m learning it the hard way - what is NOT making me happy and what is NOT bringing me JOY. I’m making decisions about where my energy goes and who is feeding it a positive diet.
And …
I’m remembering that I am the only person who walks in my shoes so I have to have my own back! I am my greatest advocate. I am in charge of my happiness. I am responsible for Creating My Own JOY.
More JOY
Want some ideas for Things to Do and/or Actions to Take, each week? Check out the September Insights post on the JOYFUL WARRIORS blog.
This month, in the Pieces of Me Community, it’s all about JOY! You can find some Magickal Insights about JOY as well as some weekly JOY Action prompts. Come Join Us!
Want to know MORE about Me and my Journey? You can check out my ‘other’ blog ~ Pieces of Me ~ and what’s happening on the Great Lifestyle Change journey ~ Thru the Garden Gate ~ as David and I go from living in the family ‘nest’ of 5 to coupledom again.
Last Thoughts
I really want to be Experiencing More JOY in my Journey. I find myself lonely for Good Conversation and the Opportunity to Invest in the Wellbeing of Others as well as Receive the Investment from Others into My Wellbeing. So, if you don’t see me as much in the places you’ve normally seen me, look for me in New Places. I’m stepping onto the Change Train.
Thanks for being here.
You’re Awesome!
Be Happy.
Michelle x