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JOYFUL TIMES EZINE
Resources and Inspiration for Discovering Inner Joy
Issue #2 - 2003
Purpose Statement:
The purpose of the Joyful Times Ezine is to uplift the spirit through inspiration and information. To this end we will emphasize the positive and focus on the good that is taking place in this world.
Philosophy statement:
We can create joyful times in our personal world by directing our thoughts and feelings. Seeing or feeling the perfection we want in our lives and in the lives of others has been called the highest form of prayer. This can lift us into the "high joy vibration" and through the "law of attraction" joyful times will result. Our motto is "joy is an inside job."
Pegi Joy Jenkins Ph.D. - Founder of Joyful You - Joyful Child, Inc
Letter from the Editor:
Welcome to the second issue of "Joyful Times Ezine"! We are an extension of the Joyful You - Joyful Child website at http://www.joy4u.org It is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by Pegi Joy Jenkins, Ph.D.. We are going through a learning curve of layout/design development which has delayed this issue. We are still in the creation infancy stage. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. We hope you will grow with us as we learn together which standard of format will reach the most people.
I recently returned to Sedona, AZ to visit with Pegi Joy Jenkins, Ph.D. and other release wave facilitators. I would recommend a spring visit to Sedona for anyone who is looking for a bigger than life experience of Nature's joy. Within a 15 minute drive you will find...the amazing cliff views and thriving water ways of the drive along Oak Creek Canyon, varieties of vegetation and flora that each thrive in their own unique place between the elevations of 3000 feet to 6000 feet above sea level, art and history of stone drawings, the energy and creative aspects of the vortexes you may wish to hike, and the color play on the red rocks at dawn and dusk... you will never be at a lack for visual stimulation or photography experiences. The sunrise walks I took each morning revealed the truths of the day in visual dances of light and animal behavior...and the nightly flashlight walks to view the stars had me gasping at the reminder of the huge opportunities we all have to shine where we are and make a difference. My eyes were opened. My soul was refreshed. My joy overflowed. Sedona is a sanctuary of joy!
In this issue - I am excited to introduce a new section - "Activating My Inner Joy" with personal revelations from some of our readers on how they personally activate their inner birthright of joy. We encourage all of our readers to think about your personal testimony to this end... and submit it for future consideration of publication.
We welcome your comments and suggestions. Thank you!
Finding 'joy in the journey,'
Joy Smiley, Editor
Table of Contents:
Universal Principles A GRACE NOTE May I lift your sadness and reveal your joy? Joy is a quality of true wealth that belongs to all living things. In joy you will find the truth about what is important in life, and that truth will spread to each part of yourself and spill out into the world. Joy returns to you in abundance, and with it comes healing. Joy can be found in watching the smallest snowflake fall or the tiniest bud open. You can find joy in the laughter of children, the touch of a hand, the breeze on your face, the sun on the water. Once found, joy cannot be lost. It may be replaced by burdens, sorrow, fears and doubts. But it cannot be lost. It cannot be stolen from you, only hidden in the dark. Let joy be contagious. If you can find your joy, even if only by lighting a small candle in the dark, and then let that joy propel your day, it will provide light from someone else to find theirs. With each addition of joy, the room and our days will grow brighter. Within joy, all the elements of living are done in love. Don't let your joy be hidden by the sorrow of the times, but instead let it shine brighter. It is your heritage and birthright, and the saving power of the world. reprinted with permission of the authors: Beca Lewis & Delbert Lee Piper at http://www.agracnot.com/note3grace.html
Big Picture Parenting Sighs of the Heart "We've been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks since we started all of this," the woman told the volunteer. "What is it your daughter keeps asking for?" asked the volunteer. "Puppy size!" said the mother. "We have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for." said the volunteer. "I know," said the woman in frustration. "We have seen most of them." Just then the young child came walking in the office. "Well, did you find one?" the mother asked. "No, not this time," said the little girl with sadness in her voice. "Can we come back on the weekend?" The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed. "You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's always a fresh supply." said the volunteer. The young child took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. "Don't worry, I bet we'll find one this coming weekend," she said. Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with their daughter. "It's this weekend or we're not looking anymore," Dad finally said in total frustration. "We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either," He added. Sure enough they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday morning. By now the young child knew her way around, so she ran right towards the section that housed the smaller dogs. Tired of the routine, Mom sat in the small waiting room at the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could observe the animals from there during times when visitors weren't permitted. The young girl walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically beside each one to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and the little girl held each one. One by one she said, "Sorry, you're not the one." It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup when the volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the little dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer. "Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!" she screamed with joy! Mom, startled by all the commotion, came running. "What?" said her mom," Are you sure? How do you know?" "It's the puppy sighs!" said her little girl. "Yes, it's the same size as all the other puppies you held the last few weeks," Mom said. "No, not size...sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed," said the little girl. "So?" her mother thought out loud... "Don't you remember, Mommy?" said the little girl. "When I asked you one day what love is, you told me 'Love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sighs!'" The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug her child she did a little of both. "Mom, every time you hold me I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms," she said. Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, "Mom, I know he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart!" This article reprinted with permission by Bob Perks, Author and Speaker. His website contains many more uplifting and joy inspiring stories! I recommend a visit to activate your inner joy. Contact information: www.Iwishyouenough.com
The Neighbor - by Esther Rena I have a neighbor, a friendly gal - no stranger. The kids adore her. She tells silly stories and they love to play tag with her. I chat with her about the neighborhood happenings and world events, but I NEVER ever leave her alone with the kids. Always in a public place, always staying in the room, my eyes and ears open. Because I also know she has an unstable personality, and was arrested more than once for indecent exposure, frequents the gambling houses and just raves about gory violent movies; I would not (even for 5 minutes) leave her to read stories or play games with the kids. In fact, I put a lot into watching out for her - my sweet kids would just invite her right into the house! So, while I have to be very clear with them as to what the limits are, I also have to watch out for pitfalls; such as the possibility of her being at another neighbor's place when my kids are there. After all, can you believe - some people have even invited her to be their kid's nanny, or even arranged for her to share a room with them! By the way, you know her name - my neighbor is yours too! Protect your children, her name is "Internet Connection!"
Activating My Inner Joy How I Activate My Inner Joy by Chunmei Tang (She lives in the Eastern US with her husband and two daughters ages 6 and 9.) When I feel I cannot reach my joy, I will do one of the following:
How I Activate My Inner Joy by E. Grossman (She lives in the Midwest with her husband and their 3 joyful sons and 6 joyful daughters.) It's the little things in life that activate my daily joy!
Joyful Relationships THE COLOR OF FRIENDSHIP Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel. All claimed that they were the best. The most important. The most useful. The favorite. GREEN said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, trees and leaves. Without me, all animals would die. Look over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority." BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the earth, but consider the sky and the sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing." YELLOW chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth into the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the starts are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me, there would be no fun." ORANGE started next to blow her trumpet: "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce, but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangoes, and papayas. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you." RED could stand it no longer, so he shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you. I am blood - life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire into the blood. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon. I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poinsettia and the poppy." PURPLE rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am the sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me! They listen and obey." Finally INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace." And so the colors went on boasting, each convinced of his or her own superiority. Their quarrelling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening ...thunder rolled and boomed. Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors all crouched down in fear, drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, God began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know that you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me." Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. God continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of color as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The Rainbow of your colors will be a sign of hope for tomorrow." And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a Rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another. -Author Unknown Global Good News POSITIVE PRESS Are you tired of reading bad news? Sad news? Frightening news? Then you might wish to save this site one of your favorites or subscribe to free daily news updates by email. the POSITIVE PRESS WEBSITE finds news stories from many reputable sources (such as CNN or MSNBC or National Newspapers,) and compiles them by category to highlight the recent good news in our world to date. They also archive old stories. You can link to their site to read encouraging news of recent war heroes, kids that are making a difference right where they live, animals that seem to have angelic qualities. This news will definitely lift you into a higher joy vibration. Go to http://www.positivepress.com/news/index.php3
A GOOD NEWS MESSAGE FROM JAMES TWYMAN "Registrations are now open for the upcoming "Psychic Children Speak to the World Festival" in Ashland, Oregon from July 18 - 20. This will be a celebration of wisdom of the children, and we have invited some of the more profound Psychic Kids that have come across our path. They are so eager to share their messages of peace, and we hope you will be able to join us. Other speakers include Neal Donald Walsch, Jean Houston, Stephen Simon, Jose Arguelles, and myself. I believe this will be the most impactful event we have ever sponsored. There will be performers from around the world, including from Cirque du Soleil. If you want your children to enjoy the event; we have set up a conference - within the conference, just for them. You can get all the details including hotel and transportation information, on our website;" http://www.emissaryoflight.com Book Recommendations The Five Love Languages : How To Express Commitment To Your Mate by Gary Chapman. They say men are from Mars and women from Venus. In reality we are not from different planets, but we each may have different communication styles. These are not limited to gender, but can be the source of many arguments and misunderstandings. We all need to be loved in each of the 5 languages as Gary points out... but usually one of them is our PRIMARY love language. You may feel your husband doesn't love you because he doesn't remember your birthday with a present (love language of gifts)...and he feels he lets you know he loves you by taking out the garbage each morning and making sure there is gas in the car (love language of acts of service). In this short book you will come to recognize the SILVER RULE of loving others - "Do unto others as they would want done unto them" outweighs the GOLDEN RULE - "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Get ready to be awakened to a whole new way of loving others! The Five Love Languages Of Children by Gary Chapman, co-authored with Ross Campbell When your child feels loved they tend to do their best. But how can you be sure your child feels loved? Each child is unique. Each child expresses love and receives love in a specific way. Maybe they make you beautiful picture (gifts)... or maybe they are always seeking your approval (words of affirmation). You may be going out of your way to be at every sport event and every musical they have been in (quality time) or you may give them hugs every time you see them (physical touch) to show that you love them... but you are not speaking their language. They may feel rejected, or misunderstood, or have their feelings hurt. When you discover your child's primary love language the pieces of the puzzle will start to fit for both of you. This book will only open up more joyful opportunities to love your children fully in the way THEY understand and need to receive your love. The Five Love Languages Of Teenagers by Gary Chapman Are you concerned about a communication breakdown with your teen? Do you struggle to understand their moods and self-esteem issues? Do your teens question whether you really love them? Do they feel disappointed, or frustrated, or misunderstood... or are they distant and seemingly unreachable? Maybe you just don't speak their love language. Learn their primary love language and the walls will come tumbling down. The five love languages are: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service. This book could give you the keys to unlock the door to the walls your teen has put up.
Joy Inspiring Products, Services, Classes To be considered for this publication please send a sample of your product to Joyful You - Joyful Child (PO Box 3808, Sedona, AZ 86340) for evaluation. The sample item will not be returned. Joyful Times Ezine will make the final determination reguarding accepting your product and you will be notified in writing. Please provide your email address or mailing address for this notification. Along with the sample, submit ad copy (25-75 words) describing the item, it's purpose, concept or value, and how it can be obtained. Within the ad; state price and any shipping or handling fees. You may also want to include a short testimonial. As an advertiser in this Ezine, you will be responsible for taking and sending out the orders. Please clearly state how you can be contacted, and what forms of payment you accept. Provide a website address or link, and/or standard mailing address with phone number. The ad will run once in a single email issue. However, each issue will also be permanently archived on the website, where it may receive future hits. Please resubmit your ad accordingly if you wish it to be included in future issues. Ad fees will be as follows:
JoyfulTimes Ezine is not responsible for the sale or consumer use of this product.
Quotes to Ponder "What we love, we shall grow to resemble." - St. Bernard of Clairvaux "Since we become like that which we most love; we want to choose whom and what to love very carefully, where to place those priorities, how to devote our best time and energy, to whom we give our fullest attention. For love is about these things of the heart, and our spirits will resemble that which has hold of the heart." -Steve Goodier "Hold a true friend with both of your hands." - Nigerian Proverb "God drives away flies for a cow which has no tail." - Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria) "Hear the music before the song is over." - Nigerian proverb "Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls" - Mother Teresa "The first duty of love, is to listen." - Paul Tillich "We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't." - Frank A. Clark "Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go... - Herman Hesse "Just because somebody doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have." - Author Unknown "Perpetual inspiration is as necessary to the life of goodness, holiness and happiness as perpetual respiration is necessary to animal life." -Andrew Bonar Law "The deep joy we take in the company of people with whom we have just recently fallen in love, is undisguisable." - John Cheever "Therefore, when I say that 'I love,' it is not who I love, but in reality Love who acts through me. Love is not so much something I do as something that I am. Love is not a doing, but a state of being - a relatedness, a connectedness to another mortal, an identification with her or him that flows within me and through me, independent of my intentions or my efforts." - Robert A. Johnson to subscribe to free daily love quotes from LOVE QUOTES OF THE DAY at http://lovequote.com to subscribe to free daily email quotes on Positive Perspectives and Joyful Alternatives, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/daily-wisdom You can search for other love quotes by letter at www.1-love-quotes.com
Contact Information We are an extension of the Joyful You - Joyful Child website at http://www.joy4u.org It is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 by Pegi Joy Jenkins, Ph.D.. Please feel free to FORWARD THIS EZINE. Spread joy.
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