I think it is easy to say that we are all in the pursuit of happiness. “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. Where does happiness stem from? Here’s where special relationships come into play. Often times, we place our happiness on getting through certain events, attaining new things, or through the acceptance of a person or animal. When we give the power to make us happy to an outside source, we take the risk of being very disappointed. Have you ever blamed an outside source for your lack of happiness or distress? It’s all his fault that I am not happy. If only my kids would listen to me, I would be so much happier. When I finish this project, I will be happy and on and on and on. These are pre-requisites for happiness and examples of giving your power away to an outside source. These are also examples of emotional projection in which you blame other people or things for your distress. Nothing has more power over you than you do. A house, a job, a friend, a car, a computer, or an animal do not have the power to make you miserable or happy unless you give it permission. I am not innocent of falling into this trap of allowing an outside source to drive my happiness, but it quickly backfires on me. The more I become aware, the quicker I can catch myself and the easier it is to reclaim my power and my witts over a situation.
I was reading a book recently in which a Monk was being interviewed years after he had been held as a prisoner. He said the only time that he was afraid was when his anger rose and he became aware that he was giving his captives power over him. Several years ago, I visited a concentration camp. It was horrible and I refuse to ever go to another one. I wondered why would anyone want to visit a concentration camp. It dawned on me the other day that these memorials remind us of perseverance. Nothing in my life has or hopefully ever will compare to the horrors that anyone who has ever been in a concentration camp experienced. Yet, they persevered through it. They must have known that God was in charge, not their captives. When you know that God is in charge and have the faith to see that you are where you need to be right now to unfold the rest of your life’s story, then you can survive and prosper through anything. The power is in your court.Â
Several years ago, a very good friend of mine became pregnant after years of trying. Five months into the pregnancy, her little girl chose another path rather than to enter this world. Such a devastating event could have haunted my friend for the rest of her life, but rather it transitioned her to propel herself forward in the direction she wanted her life to go. Her little girl became her guardian angel. I think of this so often because the events that happened after, unfolded so miraculously. My friend took charge of her life rather than letting it crumble in despair. I deeply admire this friend for her courage and ability to be a role model for me to understand that God has a plan and nothing can tear you down or lift you up unless you give it that power. You are in charge of your own happiness, not an outside source. This does not mean that you don’t experience the sadness or distress from events nor do you lose the excitement of joyous events in your life. We don’t need to make ourselves numb, but we should not let outside sources control our emotions nor ruin our life. What you don’t get may actually lead you to something even better. You just never know unless you have faith.Â
So how do you get what you are looking for? Look inside. You have everything that you need right there. When you are happy, everything you want will come to you in abundance. It’s the law of attraction.Â
The power to get what you are looking for is an inside out job. What’s going on inside, will manifest into what is going on outside. ~ your inner guide
So for this week, look at what is your source of happiness and misery? What have you unknowingly given your power away to? Become aware first and then reclaim your power second.Â
Here’s a great reminder to be thankful for unanswered prayers. You may not always get what you want, but that just means there is something even better for you.Â
Voyage to HEAL Weekly Thought
Stretch: Take that foam roller or rolled-up towel and lay on your back with the foam roller along your spine. Open up. Visit the self-treatment page for a great 20 minute rolled up towel stretch. Click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Exercise: Hum. That’s right I said to hum. As you complete the stretch above, set a timer for 3 minutes and hum. Feel the vibration through your body as you strengthen your diaphragm and core muscles. Remember to breath using your diaphragm while doing this breathing in through the nose and exhale on the hum. I have been using this more and more in my own practice and really feeling the benefit of this additional vibration to loosen things up.Â
Habitual Change: Check how you sit in the car. Vary your positions and as you drive, let go of any road rage. It does no one any good.
Enlightened Perspective: Take back your power. Say to yourself, “I am in charge of my own happiness. I have the right to be happy”. You may want to ease any distress of a situation you are in by saying that you are where you need to be at this moment in accordance with God’s plan.Â
This post correlates with week 8 and 9 of the Voyage to HEAL. Please log in to listen to these meditations. You can also download the meditation CD in the store Click Here
Godspeed on your Voyage to HEAL.
Love, Jocelyn
*Next week we will explore the power of letting go in it’s relation to special relationships and giving your power away.Â