I see the Center of JOY as the place where God abides, where Love abides. If we seek first the kingdom, it prepares us for what we are to see or experience next. Then no matter what person or circumstance we are looking upon, we will find ourselves experiencing the presence of God in its fullness. JOY is added unto us when we seek the kingdom of God first.
Dear Lifestream:
I have applied some of these principles for most of my life, with excellent results. I have a Mother here on this Earth that has nurtured and blessed me with her teachings and actions of these principles for my whole life. What can I say?! IT WORKS!! A joyful attitude means a lot when there is seemingly nothing to be joyful about. It can transform a person from "a gloomy guss" into a Godly go-getter. I thank God everyday for people like my Mother and for people like you that are helping to spread the positive news to the world. It is so very necessary.
Blessings to Us All, In Christ,
M. Sawatzky
Dear Carolyn:
The question I have is related to your statement below which says "we should not identify with an illness". How can we do that? (just to let you know the circumstance of this question, I have an illness that Dr.'s say is incurable (not fatal) and am taking very toxic medication for. I meditate, do the breathing exercises, etc.) Thank you for your consideration of this question.
Sheila
Dear Sheila
First of all let me inform you that I am not a medical doctor. My Ph.D. is in Education and Religious Studies. I don't want to mislead you in any way.
When I say not to identify with an illness, I am stressing the power of our minds to increase or diminish the effects of any "negative" condition especially when joined with other minds. Although the body may sometimes get out of balance and experience symptoms of illness or debility, and we may need to consult a doctor, we must always remember that the body is not who we are. It just happens to be where we live for the present. It is our vehicle of expression, which like any vehicle, requires a driver to steer its direction. The Soul is the driver when we are attuned to it. Its mission is the acquisition of wisdom and the application of Love to all situations.
We are the Soul that drives the vehicle. We are not the vehicle. The vehicle is a means of transportation through this life experience. Once we reach our destination, we park it and go our way, grateful that it served us to get where we were going, and giving it no further thought. If the vehicle needs repair, we do what ever is required to keep it running while we still have need for its use. But know that it is the vehicle that may break down sometimes. The real Self that is the Spirit of GOD in us, is whole perfect and complete. This is where we must place our identity. This is where we take our minds and let our thoughts dwell upon our perfection rather than the body's weakness. Bless your body and take care of it, but know that it is not who you are. Everything alive responds to love. When your body gives your trouble, don't complain of it or the illness. It is calling for your love. Give yourself a love treatment . Send love all through your body from the tips of your toes to the crown of your head. Continue this for a while and observe how your body responds to it.
The power to speak our word in relation to the "I AM" of our Being, is more than meets the eye. Whatever we claim behind the words "I AM" is where we are placing our identity. Be ever so careful what you declare and attach to your "I AM" Declare I AM well rather than I AM ill. - I AM strong rather than I AM weak. I AM loving rather than I AM angry. Whatever you declare behind that powerful phrase serves to reinforce the declaration. Never declare or affirm something that you do not wish to reinforce or perpetuate.
Above all, don't allow others to sympathize with your condition. It only serves to reinforce it. You want yourself and those around you to be in sympathy with your wholeness, not your weakness. This is very important.
Miracles occur when minds join in one Holy Instant to remember who we are in Truth.
I hope this serves to help you understand what I mean .
Dear Carolyn:
I can't tell you how much I appreciate your answer.You have given me the missing "key" that I have been overlooking all this time. After reading your words, it brought tears to my eyes as I knew this was the answer I have been searching for all this time. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Sheila
The Universe always says, "YES !" So-called negative circumstances appear to be very real, but they have no power to sustain themselves. They are held together and strengthened by the collective thoughts of people. Let us collect our thoughts for creating the good.
The Light of
God surrounds you
The Love of God enfolds you
The Life of God streams through you
The Power of God protects you
The substance of God provides for you
The Peace of God dwells as a holy presence
that watches over you
Wherever you are - God is - and all is well.
Center of Joy is the monthly publication of the Lifestream Center for Creative Living. It is devoted to disseminating "Good News" that gives testimony to the positive application of the principles of living in the flow of the Lifestream. A new article will be presented each month. We invite you to apply these simple principles in your life and share your joyful results in a brief message ( seventy-five words or less) with the world via this forum.
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#1 We can always start by counting our blessings. In spite of all the seeming turmoil of life, there is always a blessing somewhere to be found. Just the fact that we are able to look for a blessing is a sure sign that there is one. There is something inherent within the act of counting blessings that guarantees that as long as you keep counting, you will never run out of blessings to count.
#2 Sing . Sing a joyful song. Sing to your heart’s content. It does not matter whether you sound like an opera singer or a mouse. What matters is that your heart is filled with Joy. Start singing a joyful song, and don’t stop until your heart is singing with you!
#3 Share your talent to the delight of others. Whatever gift God has given you, give likewise to humanity. If you are a writer, write a message to inspire and uplift someone. If your are an artist, create a work of beauty that gladdens the heart of others. If you are a composer or musician, create or play a musical composition which makes the heart thrill. If you have the gift of gab, gab with kindness and joy so that others will be encouraged and inspired by your words. If you are a comedian, create wholesome laughter without obscenity. If your gift is healing, keep your own heart merry.“A merry heart does good like a medicine.”
#4 Work with Joy. Whatever work you do, do it with delight, knowing that it is an important function in the overall service to humanity.
#5 Live in the center of your Joy, and watch how contagious your joy becomes.
