November 28, 2016 Christmas and More on Happiness

As you may remember, this year I started out with the intention of being my authentic self.  I thought I would explore that using art and a few other things.  I have done some of the things I set out to do.  But I guess none of that really matters as much as what is inside of me.  It's not what I do, but how I FEEL.

Yesterday, I woke up and went to church again.  I debated on what to wear.  I  had a few options.  But what it boiled down to was wearing my beer dress that was made specifically for one of my burlesque acts.  I never added bling to the dress because ultimately, I wanted to be able to wear it outside of performing.  And yesterday, I wore it to church.  I swear I am the only person who would consider wearing a dress covered in glasses of beer to church.  I paired it with my sparkly cowgirl belt and my cowboy boots.  It was very cute.  And it was authentic to who I am.  When I was a little girl, and even into my young adulthood, getting ready for church meant dressing to the "T's".  "Wear what you would wear if you were to  meet God."  Some people believe that means wearing your absolutely finest clothing.  Some people use it as a time to wear expensive clothes to impress their friends at church.  But me?  I figure, I am just going to go as I am.  There is no need in pretending that I am some fancy person who dresses up all of the time.  God/Spirit knows who I am.. that is this crazy human being that happens to love beer and loves to do burlesque and just wants to be happy being me.  So the beer dress it was, and I have no qualms with meeting God while wearing it!  And I'm grateful that my church accepts me for who I am and people even complimented me on it.  LOL  I am not someone who puts too much emphasis on what people wear or how they look.  Just do you.. and I'll do  me, K?  K!  

That kind of follows along the same lines and thinking as this whole happiness thing.  Rev. Jackie's talk yesterday was kinda sorta on Christmas, which is a bit early (even by her standards), but since the world has decided Christmas must be considered even before Halloween, she decided she would bring it up early as well.  But it wasn't about how the Virgin Mary travelled to Bethlehem and gave birth in a barn.  It was about how each and every one of us needs to celebrate the Christ Consciousness in us.  She acknowledged that most religions have a virgin birth story in their religious dogma, but the birth of Jesus is not really what this season is about.  It's about us becoming aware of the Christ consciousness that is within all of us and celebrating that.  Maybe.. just Maybe.. Jesus (who according to the Bible came as an example of how to live a perfect life) actually came to this life to be an example of living in Joy.. of showing us how to live in Heaven on Earth.. not some place we go to after we die.  Maybe he came here to show us that no matter what happens in our life, we can live through it with Joy in our hearts.  

Just as Jesus the Christ was born on Christmas, so shall I give birth to the potential that is within me.  I am born with limitless potential to be joyous, prosperous, creative, peaceful, loving, forgiving.. and so many things.  I am endless possibility.  Who am I to deny that part of me?    This is a time to remember and celebrate!  

While Rev. Jackie spoke, she reminded me of a a couple of thoughts Nick had before he passed.. they were so profound and they have been in my thoughts lately (even before the sermon).....

"Memories are like particle physics. Rather everything is like particle physics. Before measurement they lay in an indeterminate form. When you look at it it changes. In life if you think about it you wont find it or you will loose it. Try to find the right girl, can't find her. Stop looking and you will find her. Visions in your head, however beautiful the may be the instant you think about it, even just to admire it, it will vanish and you will loose it. Moral of the story, have your plan for the future, take it slow, enjoy the ride, and forget worrying about the other stuff. If you don't think about it, you'll win it." - Nick Spiva

....."If you don't think about it, you'll win it."  Stop thinking about it.  Stop waiting for it.  Know that you want joy and step into it!  Look around you.  Take a deep breath.  And mentally and physically, take a step forward and step into joy!  Expect it!  Expect to see it.  Expect to find it!  And when you do, as Nick says, You'll win it!  Joy is not going to just find you.. you have to go out there and create it for yourself.  Yes, there are lots of things we can be sad about.  Believe me, I have plenty of things I can sit on my couch in the dark and cry about, but that is not who I am meant to be.  That is not who YOU are meant to be.  You are created to be a joyful being; so get out there and BE IT!

The other thing that Nick wrote that was brought to my attention during Rev. Jackie's sermon was a Poem that Nick wrote in 2011 for one of his college classes....

"Had to write a poem for my humanities class. Figured I would share it with you all:
Oh the fractals,
Nature the ever repeating,
Everything a copy,
Electrons and Protons,
Planets and Suns,
Suns and Black holes,
Galaxies and Clusters,
Nature the ever repeating,
Stars are born, Stars die,
Planets are born,
Life is born, Life dies,
Planets die,
We the tiny,
Have no place,
Our purpose?
To learn,
We, being part of the Universe,
Are the Universe,
To learn of nature,
Is for nature to learn of itself,
An ever growing consciousness. ~ Nick Spiva"

Just in case you didn't know, Nick was a physicist.  He was an avid Atheist. He did not believe in any kind of higher power.  Though some of his thoughts were very powerful.  I loved reading his journal and reading some of his poetry.  Anyway, in my religious belief system, we are all one with God.  We are all part of God. We have the capacity to love as God/Spirit/Universe loved. Where God is, Joy is.  Where I am God is.  Therefore, where I am, Joy is.  I am joy!   Like Nick says, our purpose here on this planet is to learn, grown.  We are part of this universe and it is our job to expand and learn and to live not separate, but as part of this big ol' universe.  This is our destiny.  This is our calling.  We are not here to look at what has been created before us and say, "That has no place in our lives." As Howard Thurman says,  "Don't ask what the world  needs.  As what makes you come alive, and go do it.  Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."  So get out there... wake up.  Find your bliss.  Find your joy and SHARE it!!!  Don't waste another moment sitting on your couch just waiting for time to pass... grab it by the balls, sing at the top of your lungs, dance naked in the moonlight and celebrate the Christ that is in you!!!!!