Raining Joy

I woke up to the sound of rain pattering on the roof. I relaxed into the warm bed covers, allowing the soothing sounds to wash over me, as I drifted back into a dreamy state of being.

I’ve always loved the sound of rain. I grew up in an area of hot dusty summers with infrequent rains. So, when it did rain, it was such a delight to feel, hear, and smell the freshness of the earth, the air being cleansed of the ever-present dust. I would go outside, close my eyes, and lift my face to the sky, and enjoy to the utmost the raindrops splashing onto my face. 

I reveled in those moments. I was in tremendous joy . . .  alive with the freshness of feeling . . . alive with possibilities . . . alive with the feeling of a soul unloosed!

Today, as I listen to the rain outside my window, the fireplace radiating a warm flame, a cup of tea at my side, I remember the joy. In the remembering of this joy, I expand within, and bring that feeling into this present moment, as a present, a gift to myself.

If everything we name as past, present, and future is happening at once, then that feeling of joy I thought was mine in the past is really mine now . . . in this NOW Moment . . . if I CHOOSE. Choice is always an act of Power. And by using my power, stepping into my sovereignty, I can choose to feel joy in such simple acts as hearing, feeling, and seeing the rain fall outside my window.

I carefully raise the shade a little higher. Ahh, the rain continues to cleanse the earth as I allow it to cleanse my mind and heart. I settle back again into my chair, breathing in the joy of the cleansing rain.

I breathe, settle back, arrange my lap blanket, and once again remember the feel of the rain on my face . . . remember the smell of the wet earth . . . and allow the joy to rise up and expand within.  I breathe and remember. I breathe and remember. I breathe and remember . . . I Am Joy.

Something to Ponder:

• Reflect: Reflect on joy and on those moments of joy in your life. 

• Feel: Remember the feeling of those moments.

• Choose: What does sovereignty mean to you? What could it mean to be a sovereign person? In this sovereignty, could you allow yourself to choose joy?

Something to Practice:

Remember the feeling of joy you reflected on. Bring the feeling of joy that you remember forward into the present moment awareness of all aspects of your Self. Soften and relax into the feeling. Breathe joy. 

On the inhale: I Am Joy. On the exhale: I Am Joy. In the stillness: I Am in my joy.

Dr Melissa is an ordained Religious Science and Interfaith Minister and member of the Affiliated New Thought Network. Melissa is Emerson Institutes director of education services teaching and developing curricula for Emerson Institute

www.revmissyministry.com

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