Someone Else's Joy

Happy August to everyone! Did you know that in the ancient Roman calendar August was the sixth month and it's name was changed in 8BC to honor the emperor Augustus Caesar? I also found a fun site that listed "wacky" holidays and among them were National Watermelon Day (August 3), Left Hander's Day (August 13), Kiss and Make Up Day (August 25), and Frankenstein Day (August 30). Those are just a few. If you're looking for a chuckle, check out the whole website: www.holidayinsights.com

This Monday's Quote (MQ) is near and dear to my heart. It made a huge difference in my life when I was able to embrace it.

"Celebrate what others have. It provides evidence

of what is possible for you, too.

It also notifies the Universe that you'd like

some of the same."

There have been times in my past when I would look at others around me and wonder why they were doing so well or had things that I wanted. I would fall into fear and start focusing on everything that I didn't have or hadn't accomplished. Can you see where I was off track?!? First of all, I was always looking outside of my world, comparing and despairing. Secondly, I was allowing fear to dominate my vibration. Thirdly, my attention was on my lack. My Ego was in the driver's seat and my Soul wasn't even in the same vehicle. I was reduced to whining and complaining and wondering why things weren't so great for me. I would resent everyone else's good fortune and I would come up with reasons in my head as to why they didn't deserve it.

Looking back, I now have compassion for my scared, angry self. My Ego was totally in charge and that did not serve me well. My Soul was always there trying to whisper encouragement, but I couldn't hear it and didn't even know enough to listen. Over time and with help from mentors, teachers, and my own final reckoning that "there must be a better way", I started to turn corners. While on a Vipassana retreat based on Buddhist meditation, I first heard of the concept of Mudita which is the pleasure and appreciation that comes from seeing the success of others. I remember repeating, "I see others' joy as my own" and getting a ripple of happiness up and down my spine.

At first, my Ego wanted me to believe that if someone else was living in delight, there might not be enough in the world for me to have my share! Now I know just how absurd that is. One of the practices I developed was really tapping into another's rejoicing or bliss. It's like allowing their enjoyment or gratification to be contagious and to "catch it" and feel it as if it were mine, too. Once I am able to do that, I raise my vibration which allows me to bring in and attract my own positive feelings.

The Universe is always trying to match the frequency that we put out into the world. If we choose to find fault and moan and groan, Universe picks up on where we're focused and gives us more! Likewise, if we find delight in anything at all, we will direct our attention there and as you've heard me say before, where our attention goes, our energy flows.

Finally, seeing someone receive blessings is an excellent indicator that those same "gifts" can be available to you, too! There is plenty to go around so celebrate others' windfalls and expect to receive some of your own -- this is what I wish for you.

Sparkles and Love,