Cultivating Joy: The Power of Focused Attention

Prayers, rituals, or anything done that brings you in alignment, the feeling of settlement, of neutrality, of feeling all right, is always a good practice for you until and unless it becomes a habit done without thought.

If a ritual becomes mundane or doesn’t bring you to your state of peace, it has lost its effectiveness, but that’s okay. It's like chewing all the flavor out of a piece of gum. You can always get another piece to chew on. You wouldn’t berate or lament over the piece that isn’t providing you flavor anymore. That’s the way it is with anything, really. Something that brings you pleasure or joy doesn’t always have to, but it carries you to the next and the next. And if it isn’t always a piece of gum, as in this analogy, it is something completely different.

Feel into what brings you pleasure and focus your attention on that which brings you the most. Focus on, speak on, chew on, dwell on, whatever makes you feel good. If you do the same for things that don’t bring you a feeling of well-being, then you’re giving air time and attention to magnify what is considered a problem. The only way to hit rock bottom is to stop digging, as has been said. Put down the shovel, lean on it for rest, then turn your attention and efforts toward something that feels productive to you—not as judged by anyone else, only you. Productive in the nature of bringing you pleasure or joy. Planting your own pleasure garden where your crops are unique to you. See what will pop up. You may be surprised and delighted by your crop. Tend those things and more will grow. The soil is rich and nutrients are there to produce anything you want. Only your attention and love, the vibrational forms that are felt within you, are needed to grow anything you desire.

The rains are needed in order to grow, so rather than be unhappy with the rain or your tears, thank them for the richness that they provide and look for the sun and your smile to bring forth the fruits. Happy gardening.