So much good

Hi Everyone,

At a time when the world was on edge, fear was running rampant, and tensions were high, four human beings who had prepared their entire lives to fulfill a dream were propelled into space on the Artemis II. They rode a rocket with over 7 million pounds of thrust that took humans past Earth’s orbit for the first time in over 50 years.

I wept with joy hearing their positive messages of unity, love, and teamwork being broadcast from over 200,000 miles above the Earth. They sounded like the angels:

“We achieved so much not in spite of our differences, but because of them.”
“We’ve learned to give each other grace.”
“We love you.”

Seeing Earth without borders, they spoke of both the strength and fragility of our planet, the preciousness of living on this tiny blue orb in the vastness of space, and how coming together is our greatest strength. With humor, wisdom, and heart, they reminded us of our true human essence at a time when we were greatly in need.

None of them truly realized the impact of their mission while on the flight. They knew they were working to pave the way for a new lunar landing and ultimately for explorations to Mars. They hoped to unify humanity in some fashion. But they probably had no idea that they gave millions of people new faith in the goodness of the human race, a renewed desire to dream beyond what we know, and a demonstration of what humans can do and be when love for a cause and one another becomes the guiding light. I cannot get enough of their interviews. Their message, whether they mean it to be or not, is so soul-centered it brings me to tears of joy.

There is so much beauty in life.

It hasn’t been an easy year. So many are telling me about unexplained exhaustion or physical challenges.  It takes a lot more energy to stay focused on the good when so many are not.  It is no longer possible to stuff feelings, and those who haven’t learned to deal with them are feeling a little unhinged, to say the least. Yet there is still so much good.

Before cooking breakfast each morning, I marvel at the miracle of my eggs and say a silent prayer of appreciation for the chickens. I watch my basil plants reaching for the sun and appreciate their pungent perfume. The plants I’m rooting on the kitchen table are beginning to leaf out, and the birds are singing every morning. Much of the world may be at war, but the plants and animals are living in peace.

We can rest assured that in our lives, God is never gone, and the Divine is never done. The Source never stops sourcing love. And our angels are unwavering in their commitment to help us notice when they try to uplift and inspire us. Sometimes that is easy to believe, and at other times not so much. Nonetheless, whether we feel it or even believe it, heaven is there, trying to help.

Receiving this love can be as simple as a few deep breaths, or, in my case, this year, more naps. Sometimes it means distracting ourselves from a painful situation or giving up a struggle while we simply make ourselves feel as good as we can.

This is a year, if ever there was one, to grant ourselves grace, look for the good, and try to seek out joy in the simplest of pleasures.

Even amid challenges, there can be joy. Two weeks ago, I had a spendy day. My kitchen plumbing needed repair. My A/C needed maintenance, and my accountant needed to be paid. It all came at once. In the past, that would have caused me a lot of grief.  But now I just give thanks for a house to fix and an accountant to pay.

I ended up having an amazing time with the father-son plumber team, who not only did a great job but could have rivaled the best comedy routine I’ve ever seen. The more I laughed, the funnier they became. They played off one another and covered a wide variety of current events!  By the time they left, I had a new faucet that works better than any I’ve ever had and enough humor to fill my soul for days.

No matter what, the joy is there to be found.  Sometimes it just requires a little shift in focus.

So if you feel tired, uninspired, or just need a bit more joy, here are a few ways to find it:

1. Seek Inspiration

As I mentioned, my latest source of joy is watching interviews with the astronauts who just returned from a nine-day trip around the moon. Tonight, before doing the newsletter, I watched a program on the positive use of technology.

I have books I can flip open for positive messages, and a subscription to “https://www.goodnewsinstead.com” which sends you positive news stories each day.

When you don’t have a lot of energy, seek the books, songs, articles, or people who can raise you up.

2. 2. Ponder the miracle of an everyday object

Pick up anything around you and look at it as if you could see it through the eyes of your soul. Imagine where it originated, or who dreamed it into being. Ask to get a sense of all the hands and hearts that poured their life and love into this object, its creation, and transportation, so that you could have it in your life today.

For example, someone tilled the soil and planted the seeds that grew into your salad. Someone harvested the lettuce and veggies, washed them, and stacked them in the store. And someone else designed the bowl and the equipment that made and shipped it. Someone tended to the olive trees that made the oil in your dressing, harvested, picked, pressed, mixed, bottled, and drove it to the store where you bought it. The love of thousands of souls lives in every salad bowl! That is a miracle!

The more you look for the miraculous in the mundane, the more magical life becomes.

3. 3. Dance, if only in your mind

Although it seems ridiculous, dancing can elevate your mood immediately. If you can’t dance physically, shut your eyes and imagine it. It will light up your brain and help remind the nervous system what it feels like to be free. A few minutes of this—real or imagined—can elevate your mood.

There are many real challenges on this earth and many in our own lives. The astrologers tell us the energy is tough this year, and we feel it.  Fatigue is running rampant, and tempers can run short. But there is still joy to be found, and miracles all around. 

Take a moment here and there to look for what delights your soul. See if you can find the miracles in the mundane. And when you wobble, just look around again, and find the next miracle. Whether it be a left, the purr of your cat, a snort from your dog, the gigglig or children, the scent of your favorite soap, or just the sun on your face, there is so much good.

Tapping into it is not only a matter of spiritual survival, but also the easiest way we can help to elevate the vibration of a world in need.

Have a blessed week,
Love,
Ann