Turn Up The Joy!

Recently, I read that Einstein gave thanks hundreds of times each day. What a beautiful virtue is gratitude! When I read that, I made the decision to develop a thankful mind; not just as a passing emotion, but as a basic attribute of my character. To start, I opened my eyes and recognized the mementoes of blessing that surround me in my own house.

As I turned my focus to the benefits around me, I saw that everything was connected to an experience, a person, and a memory. “Thank you!” I said—as I looked at the light fixture I had lovingly selected for its beauty. “Thank you!” I said, to the walls, covered with the wallpaper my sister and I had carefully applied in a memorable time together. “Thank you!” I said, to the ceramic floors, laid so skillfully by a local craftsman named Ken Powers, who has brought so much beauty into my life. “Thank you!” I said, to the smooth sliding glass doors which grace the exit to my backyard.

Everywhere I looked, I saw myriad stories of blessing in my life; things I had selected with my sister; things my kids and I have made; things created by artisans who have brought my dreams into being. As I recognized the benefits which daily sustain me, my heart overflowed with thanks; and I was so happy! And so I continued, thanking my way into joy.

Esther and Jerry Hicks say that we are all like radio transmitting stations. We can only attract that which we send out. More than 20 years ago, they tapped into an inter- dimensional voice (to which they refer as the Beings who call themselves Abraham) that answered life’s most perplexing questions. In their books, they list a hierarchy of emotions, the highest being love, and say that the higher up the feeling scale you can bring yourself, the more prosperity, love, and joy you will attract, or allow, in your life.

My “Thank You!” experiment is one great way to find joy.

If you run out of things around you to be thankful for, thank the different parts of your body for their love and service to you. What a rush that is!

Speaking of good feelings, I want to share another of my secrets for keeping things on the up side…dancing!

I love to dance! There is a certain kind of music I like to dance to; mostly 80’s music. And when I hear it, I just start going and don’t stop for two or three hours!

If you are thinking, “But there are no good places to dance around here”, think again! There are several places in the Detroit area, and they all have their good points, but my favorite for consistent nonstop dancing action is a place at Nine Mile Road and Woodward Avenue in Ferndale, called Boogie Fever. The DJ plays one great song after another. Just when I think I’ll sit down and take a break, he comes up with another good song that just makes you want to MOVE!

Last Friday, I went to Boogie Fever with my friend and personal trainer, Sheryl Blystone. Sheryl is a great dancer, having studied dance as a child and later, to perform disco moves in body-building contests. On weekdays, she helps me work my muscles, but on Friday night, it’s all about fun! While I have no such claim to fame, I have been known to cut a rug, and so far, they haven’t kicked me out.

Last week, Sheryl and I dragged a friend along to join us in the fun. Convinced that only grueling sweat-cercises at the gym are worthy of being called a workout, he sat with us, sulking, drumming his fingers on the table, and looking for all the world like a wet chicken.

I was determined to get this curmudgeon on the right track. So I told him, “Forget the gym. If you want a good workout, get up and SHAKE it.” Suddenly, my life’s anthem came on: Todd Rundgren’s “I don’t want to work. I just want to bang on the drum all day!”

Who can resist such a classic?? So I dragged my sad sack friend out onto the dance floor.

Once he got up, he came alive. Before long, he was dropping to the floor, doing pushups, and jumping up to clap his hands between reps. It was a pretty impressive showing, for such a slow starter. By the time the night was over, everybody was feeling wonderful and the floor was packed!

I could make a pretty good case for dancing as therapy; but that’s not my point. If we are to attract blessings to our lives, we must do that which makes us feel good. Isn’t it wonderful? That’s all we have to do.

Giving thanks is one way to feel good. Dancing is another; but in each moment, we need to be vigilant, and monitor our feelings. If, in the moment, you are feeling bad, have a couple of visuals in your grab bag to bring your mood up. (For me, of course, it’s easy. I just think of one of my beloved kitties.) Then, to keep the mood up, express gratitude, or dance, or do whatever in the world gives you joy. Then watch the wonderful things that begin flooding into your life.

Each of us has our own view of what happens after this life. But while we are here, we can take active steps to create a life that is awesome right now. Try it, and maybe I’ll see you next Friday, on the dance floor.