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I’ve very consciously been thinking about what makes me feel happy, what brings joy to my soul. I’m seeking to engage in more activities in order to increase the joy, light, and love in my life.
I’ve enjoyed reading since I could (!), educating myself through it, escaping through it with wonderful works of fiction, and growing closer to The Great Mystery through spiritual literature.
Watching movies are similar to reading for me, one making use of written media and the other, visual. However, these days watching a movie in the evening at the end of a work week is often more appealing to me than reading, and more relaxing.
I enjoy and have fun playing board games/playing cards; it is a time for me to lighten up as well as socialize—and it exercises my brain! In my new home town—BTW, it’s been two years that I moved to Prescott!—I’m still working on finding people with whom to play.
Being of service gives my life meaning and fills up my heart—it is sooo about Spirit for me! I do some volunteer work but I know doing more is in order. Giving and receiving is joyful in the service realm and in personal relationships; my soul yearns to engage in that exchange of love to a much greater degree.
Meaningful conversation has always been something important to me. Be it individual or group, meaningful conversation fosters connections between folks, which in and of itself lightens me up, enriches my life, and nourishes my soul, drawing me closer to The One.
I work as a technical writer, and my professional and personal creative writing time and working with graphics stimulate my imagination and make me feel joyful. Asking Spirit for help when I feel blocked or just want things to flow with ease and grace strengthens my connection with Source and enlivens my spirit.
My morning sabbath, which includes sitting in the silence, yoga, reading spiritual literature, and journaling combine numerous activities and I so enjoy it, particularly on a work day.
Of course, the number one thing that nourishes me and makes me feel joyful is music. Singing is often like prayer and lifts me up. Recently, I unexpectedly got to dance East Coast Swing (I had a steady dance partner years ago in NYC and we used to cut a rug every week) and the whole time I was smiling ear-to-ear, filled with joy and giggling. It didn’t matter that I wasn’t wearing the most appropriate shoes or that it’d been decades since I’d danced it—what a joy and thrill that evening was! I’m back singing in a choir, which has propelled me to dust off my old sight singing and music theory books. And, I’m so grateful that Prescott has so many live musical performances and theatre that I can attend. Music, music, music fills my soul with joy!
The aforementioned lighten up my life—and, let's not forget interacting with pooches during my morning walks! They automatically switch on my smile and fill up my heart.
So what fills your soul with joy, what or who lights up your life? Being in Nature, painting on canvas, learning a new language, time with family? I’d love to hear how you light up YOUR life, nourish your soul, and feel the joy that is within each and every one of us. Email me!
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The title song for the movie “You Light Up My Life” received the 1978 Academy Award for Best Original Song, a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song, as well as the Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Written by Joseph Brooks, Debby Boone recorded it and her single reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for a then record-setting 10 consecutive weeks.
Early in my conscious spiritual journey, it was suggested to me to think of Spirit as the object in this song, not some person. I loved that idea and it fit!
Listen to Debby Boone’s rendition of it. For a more soulful treatment of it, catch "The Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin singing it.
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