As I reflect on the stages of my own evolving consciousness I hope what I have learned may help you.
JOY
When you ask people about what makes them happy, most will say things like spending time with their family, getting a new car, or hanging out with their best friends. These are all things that create happiness, but in truth, these feelings of happiness are fleeting. That is why in today’s society, people consume so much – they are endlessly trying to chase happiness by stringing together moments and doing things that offer only temporary relief. Most believe that we are the centre of our universe and that our happiness revolves around us. I don’t believe in happiness – happiness depends on happenings – the root of the word implies that something needs to happen in order for there to be a result.
Happiness is external. It’s based on situations, events, people, places, things, and thoughts. Happiness is connected to your hope for the future. Happiness is linked to that ‘some day’ or ‘when they start…’
Happiness is future oriented and it puts all its eggs in someone else’s basket. It is dependent on outside situations, people, or events to align with your expectations so that the end result is your happiness. Unfortunately, pathology rarely obliges in that way. So when whatever your expectation is falls thru your happiness is crushed.
Unhappiness is the result. It’s a typical and inevitable result. Chronic unhappiness leads to despair and depression.
I believe in Joy and the truth is, the basis for joy in our life is the base of our existence, so joy is actually at our core, and our lives and success revolve around it. joy is free and available for anyone who wants it. You just have to decide that you deserve it. Instead of looking externally cultivate internal and deep abiding joy. It is both an enigma and a privilege to watch this magnificent life emerge from the ashes of brokenness.
Joy comes from deeply held spiritual beliefs but it also comes from a place even beyond that. Joy comes when you make peace with who you are, where you are, why you are, and who you are not with. When you need nothing more than your truth and the love of a good God to bring peace, then you have settled into the abiding joy that is not rocked by anything.
Something I have learned along the way, that once you see you cannot unsee, once you taste you cannot untaste. Each new stage of growth, consciousness and maturity always brings with it greater freedom, complexity and inclusion. We generally do not grow or move towards later stages of consciousness without great pain, suffering or experiences.
Sadness, sadly, is essential for joy. That would be helpful if joy always followed sadness however in real life, sadness can become a habit. The brain is always learning from rewards, so when sadness is rewarded with love, the brain wires itself to get love by being sad. No one thinks that consciously, of course, and other ways of getting love are learned too. But dysfunctional reward-seeking strategies are all too easily wired in to a reward-seeking brain.
Empathy and compassion are the answer to achieve Joy – that state of pervasive, unshakable happiness not based on anyone or anything. It is the level of saints and advanced spiritual teachers. Just being around people at this level makes you feel incredible. At this level life is fully guided by synchronicity and intuition. There’s no more need to set goals and make detailed plans.
As love becomes more unconditional, there follows a constant accompaniment of true joy. No personal tragedy or world event could ever shake someone living in joy. They seem to inspire and lift all those who come in contact with them. Your life is now in complete harmony with the will of Divinity and the fruits of that harmony are expressed in your joy.
Kevin T. Cahill is an award winning sales professional and consultant specializing in the art of managing change and achieving great results. As the founder of The Change Revolution, this international best selling author and speaker inspires men and women alike. As someone who has mastered the art of resilience and hope, Kevin’s philosophy as a clarity builder is strategic and results driven. Kevin’s passion is to equip individuals and organizations with a renewed sense of clarity and excitement, knowing that positive change will bring about positive gains. His exciting creation The Change Revolution offers a winning blueprint for navigating through change and achieving success.
Speaking inquiries email bookings@kevintcahill.com or call 519-836-7989.
