Joyous Life Works- July 15, 2008

How is this summer season treating you? Summer has always seemed to be a more light-hearted time of year, but this year, with so many troubling events in the world, it seems more challenging to be light-hearted. Here in Northern California, plagued by wildfires, it’s even been hard to breathe!

This may not be a particularly easy time in our world, but it is important to keep our focus on what uplifts us, nurtures us, and brings a greater sense of love and peace to our world. It may not be easy to do so…I’ve had some challenges with that myself in the last few weeks…but bit by bit, as we turn our hearts, minds, and focus to that which we are grateful for, we can at least experience greater peace in our own hearts.

Please take a few minutes today to remember, and deeply appreciate, some of the many ways you have been blessed.

Wishing you peace,

This poem by the Sufi poet, Rumi, says so much, in so few lines. Today, the line that resonates most for me is “I have been forgetful, every minute, but not for a second has this flowing toward me stopped or slowed.“ Do you forget how much is available to you? I know I do! Most of us are so busy, focusing on what we have to do, what’s on our plate, that we forget that Divine Help is always there for us. It may not come in the way that we are expecting or think we want it to show up, but help is there nonetheless.

Last year in a class I took, a great illustration was made: if you draw a dot on a piece of paper and focus completely on that dot, focusing so much that your nose is almost touching the paper, you can’t see much of anything else. When we focus so completely on our own duties, obligations, or issues, we can’t see much of anything else – and we become depleted, overwhelmed, maybe resentful. We’re running on our own “power” and the fuel tank is on “empty.” We have refused to receive the flow that is always available to us.

If we slow down (what do you mean, slow down? I’m way too busy!), and pull our noses away from what we’ve been focusing on, we can begin to gain a bigger perspective. Slowing down, breathing deeply, and letting in the flow can make a huge difference in your outlook. It may take time to feel replenished. You may find yourself quickly returning to your “obligations” which are undoubtedly screaming at you, in there inimitable way. But, finding your own particular way of opening to the flow and nurturing it, provides a tool you can always use – your own personal access to the spigot of peace and understanding.

One beautiful way to find your access point is the Sufi practice of Remembrance, a way to bring your awareness back to your heart and being filled or replenished or reawakened to the qualities of the Divine. Our hearts can feel full again by incorporating this simple practice into our everyday lives. To find out more, click here.

What will it take for you to step back from your concerns and wheel-spinning? Take some time today to slow down and remember that the Divine flow is there for you…waiting for you to open and let it fill you. To fill you with the abundance and joy of living.

What's that you say? I love to hear from you, and I read every email personally, even when I can't reply to all of them. Send your thoughts to shawn@joyouslifeworks.com. And if you prefer not to be quoted in a future article, just let me know.

Please feel free to pass it on or to reprint this article on your Web site or in your own e-zine. I ask is that you forward the newsletter in its entirety and/or that you include the following paragraph and copyright line with live link if you reprint the article.

This article originally appeared in the Joyous Life e-zine and is reprinted with permission from the author. Shawn Murphey is owner of Joyous LifeWorks.

For more information, visit Joyous LifeWorks.

Upcoming Events

Offerings that may help with reacquainting you with your inner wisdom and guidance are scheduled for July:

Attraction in Action
Monday, July 28th, 2008
6:00 - 7:00 PM Pacific

Learn more about how to put the Law of Attraction to work for you! Using the Abraham-Hicks process of "Wouldn't it be nice if..." discover simple ways of raising your vibration easily and thus, drawing more of what you want to you! Click Here to Register.

Email me, or phone me at 916-369-2077, for more information on any event or to register.

Do you want to play a bigger, more joyous game? Isn't it time for you to be getting the results you want? Contact me to schedule a consultation and learn more about how to overcome the obstacles keeping you from living the life you want and deserve.