Want to fill your heart with joy? Who doesn’t! But it’s easy to get preoccupied with life’s schedules, patterns and habits, forgetting that each day you can, and need to awaken your joy. Sometimes it takes a conscious effort, like building a new muscle, and nature is always there to help. Today, I remembered to Stop, Listen, Be Present, Find Joy! It began when I heard a cherished, familiar sound, – the whir of a hummingbird – the first one of spring at my ranch in the heart of Colorado’s high country.
Growing up in California with its subtler seasons, I often took for granted the presence of birds. They simply are there. Until they aren’t, as I learned in the long Colorado winters. Nature announces the coming of spring in whispers long before the party of spring starts raging. This first whisper from the wings of a hummer that just completed its 1000 mile journey from Mexico, was so uplifting and made me so happy, that I had to reflect on what emotion had been there before I heard that sound. I realized that I had been neutral, preoccupied with work and my To-Do list. I wasn’t present and saw that I had a place of “no joy” in my soul.
So, I stopped; listened deeper, felt into the crisp spring morning; examined closely the buds ready to burst forth. I heard the rushing creek, racing the day’s payload of snowmelt downstream toward the Eagle River, then the Colorado River. I felt the soft swish of a butterfly’s wing on the back of my head, and when I listened really, really hard, I think I heard the grass growing! I felt immensely grateful for all of it.
Attention on these big little voices in nature awakened my joy. I remembered that there never needs to be a place of “no joy” within me as long I focus my attention on all the joy that resides in my gratitude. Today I focus my gratitude on the rebirth of Spring and the hope of new life that comes with it. Through presence, listening and gratitude, I refill my soul with joy.
Find your personal keys for unlocking and learning to maintain your soul’s joy at the Awaken Your Joy in Nature retreat, July 18-21 in Tidewater, Oregon. This retreat, in collaboration with Naked Earth Tantra, will be CO-ED! Learn more and register here.
Or arrange a consult with me about the retreat.
