J Is For Joy

J Is For Joy

I don't know about you, but most of the time, joy seems to be the furtherest thing from my mind. I get so caught up in the stress, distress, and sadness of life that I have to ask myself, “Is that all there is?”

It could be said that I am so en-tranced by the darker aspects of life that I cannot see the light. Spiritual psychologist Stephen Wolinsky has studied this phenonmenon and written a book entitled "Trances People Live".

Trances are unquestioned thought systems or behavior patterns and they have two characteristics: narrowed focus of attention and voluntary suspension of disbelief. Wolinsky asserts that we are usually in some kind of trance state.

We often narrow our focus to the point that we are, in a sense, hypnotized by the culture we live in, the negative scripts we learned as children, and our own limiting beliefs. We actually believe that that really is all there is.

Furthermore, we have suspended a healthy disbelief of those scripts and beliefs that en-trance us.

My Random House Dictionary defines joy as: 1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something good or satisfying. 2. a source of keen pleasure or delight.

The Bible tells us that “Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.” ( Psalm 30:5) and cautions us in Ecclesiastes (which asked, in its own way, if that was all there is), “Give not over thy soul tosorrow; and afflict not thyself in thy own counsel. Gladness of heart is the life of man and the joyfulness of man is length of days.”

Essentially, Ecclesiastes is telling us not to become en-tranced, not to believe those negative and limiting thoughts but to be glad and joyful. Sounds kind of like “Don't worry, be happy!”, doesn't it.

Underneath all that stress and distress of life, there is a deep well of joy, if we just break our trance and allow ourselves to find it. There is joy in the laughter of a child, in the antics of a kitten, in the love of our family , in the kindness of a friend – or a complete stranger. There is joy in a beautiful sunset, a full moon on a crystal-clear night, a fresh breeze on a warm day.

There is joy in our ability to seek help, to hear and know the truth, to heal and to learn how to start again. There is joy in laughter and, sometimes, in the profundity of tears.

Whatever your external circumstance, whatever the dreary “reality” that en-trances you, look for joy. Let it find you. Experience it and share it with others.