Looking for Joy.
I know I have it … but where ? I must have put it somewhere to keep in case I needed it. I’m like that. I don’t like to throw things out. I’ll store them for a long season if I have to, but to discard what I think is precious, is not likely to happen ! Now where did I put it ? If I let this thought simmer on the back burner it may come to me.
And so it did. In the oversized tubs I store all my collectibles ? Yes, but which one? So the hunt began. I scurried down to the garage and began to unpack the lavender tub.
No, it wasn’t there, but what I found was colour. Colour in the form of off-cuts of material I had kept. There were stunning reds, bright yellows, deep blues and purple, checker greens, even a little silver and mottled gold. What a delight ! Then I looked up and looked around, and began to see colour everywhere. What a Joy colour brings to our lives. Just imagine life without colour – and its a free.
Light from the sun is white light, if looked through a prism the light fractures and becomes a spectrum of colours, the rainbow of red, blue, green,yellow, orange, purple and indigo. Colours have different lengths (frequencies – like music notes) shorter is higher and longer is deeper. These notes / frequencies of colour bring colours to plants – everything is grey drab, until lit by sunlight. Next time you’re feeling glum, look up and look around for the free gift of colour – and be glad !
But that was not what I was looking for. The next tub I opened was my Word tub. It was full of words. Letters, writings of other people, poems, special cards, scraps of paper with Bible verses and notes on courses and seminars I had attended. It surely must be in this tub. So I spent the next few days scrutinizing all the treasures in my Word tub. What a joy, re-reading the hearts and minds of others and feeling their love all over again. The Joy of friends, and relationships. We can’t do without them. Well, maybe some of them, but no not all.
Then I found it ! At last, I knew I had it. Tucked in the pages of a manuscript were the words of Dr James G Friesen of The Life Model Course I had attended some 20 years ago. I remembered the “Joy bucket” and “Joy Camp”, and getting back on top of “Joy Mountain” which he so clearly wrote about and the fundamental importance of regulating our feelings back to Joy. Dr James Ph.D is a Clinical Psychologist, and an expert in trauma recovery and Dissociative Identity Disorders. Here are some concepts from the powerful words of The Life Model : “Joy is a powerful force in life which shapes our lives from the baby stage of our development.” (brain development) He explains this very clearly in the manuscript and states ” Joy becomes the foundation for all other emotions.” Dr James Wilder, a co-writer and researcher writes on www.lifemodel.org “Joy was the engine that drove thriving and recovery and even produced the strength needed for prevention of trauma and addiction.” Wow, those are strong words. Please check out The Life Model’s website and find out more on this life-giving course. And visit Dr Friesen on http://www.jamesgfriesen.com. Also visit www.joystartshere.com for more information.
Life from a psychological view can bring an understanding to our inner world. Life from a spiritual view can bring healing and recovery from mental and emotional breakdown.
Undeniably suffering and sorrow are strewn along Life’s path. It is then that we find that Joy has companions :
Joy and Sorrow – Weeping may endure for a night, but Joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
Joy and Mourning – To give them beauty for ashes and the oil of Joy for mourning. Isaiah 61: 3
Joy and Strength – Do not sorrow for the Joy of the Lord is your strength.
Nehemiah 8:10
Joy and Peace – Now may the God of hope fill you with Joy and Peace.
Romans 15:13
Joy and Gladness – He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the Lord, Joy and gladness will be found in it. Isaiah 51:3
Joy and Fruit – But the fruit of the Spirit is Love Joy Peace Long-suffering Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness and Self Control. Against these there is no law. Galatians 5:22
Finding Joy is well worth the pursuit, and for me, it came one evening when I heard the Preacher from the big church on the corner say : Joy is a decision you make, to get your power back.
Joy is the essence of good mental health, so … CHOOSE JOY !
CareSA 