JOY. What makes your spirit smile? Are you experiencing at least one instance of pure joy every day? Do you regularly share acts of kindness? It’s been said that pleasure is in the body, happiness is in the mind, and joy is in the heart. Both pleasure and happiness are fleeting. Joy, on the other hand, is a fruit of the Spirit – a deep-in-the-soul feeling.
NO. Have you ever agreed to do something you really didn’t want or have time to do? Have you ever said “No” to something that seemed like an opportunity to other people, but just didn’t “feel” right for you? How do you respond when you are told “No”? There’s a funny thing about this simple two-letter word. It is a word we’ve all used and we’ve all heard before. When it’s said to you, you may not like it very much; when you say it, it can be quite liberating. Sometimes the word is open for interpretation; other times, it is absolute. For example, when making a sales call, “No” may very well mean, “Not right now.” However, when asking for a romantic date, “No” most likely means “NO!”
CONSCIOUSNESS. What is your mental atmosphere? Are your internal dreams reflected in your external reality? Do you wonder why some people always seem to attract good and others are a magnet for misfortune? The difference is probably their mental atmosphere. If your mind is consistently focused on abundance then you’re going to see the opportunities around you.
SPECIFICITY. Are you aware of the content of your thoughts? Are you speaking abundance or lack? Do your actions reflect deliberate choices or unconscious rote behavior? My sister and I both…
LETTING GO. Do you get upset when things don’t turn out the way you expected? Is your mind cluttered with regrets and resentments? What are you holding on to that is holding you back? When you live in the Present, and let go of what you think should be, you invite in a greater sense of inner peace and divine inspiration…
FREEDOM. How free are you? Is your freedom dependent on someone else? What are your divine rights? When I was in China in 2006 I was struck by the display of prosperity in places like Shanghai, with its large LED screens touting the latest fashions and movies. It was like New York’s Times Square on steroids.
IMAGINATION. How much do you dream? Can you envision your possibilities? Are you using your imagination to empower your life? When I was five years old, I ran the “Gal’s Club.” It was an exercise club that consisted of three members: Mom, my sister and me. It was exclusive to girls, so I didn’t invite my brother and Dad (“gal” was my version of “girl” which came from my initial schooling in Australia). I even created membership cards and established rules – maybe that’s why one of my kindergarten classmates gave me the nickname “boss lady”. I was set on making sure we were healthy and fit, and I enjoyed being in charge.
PRACTICE. What is your daily practice? Are you practicing peace or anxiety? Are you practicing how to succeed or simply survive? Are you putting into practice what you already know?
KINDNESS. Is your outlook one of compassion or indifference? How often do you perform intentional acts of kindness? Are you a considerate person? Do you show love every day to those who love you? With the calamities of recent times, we have witnessed ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of heroism.
GIVING. How generous are you? Do you give freely or are there usually strings attached? At a time when your bank account may be lower than last year and the stresses may be higher, it is even more important to understand the power of giving.
