Two weeks ago we wrote an article titled Through
the Eyes of Fear. This
week, we’re taking on a more lighthearted topic, as you probably
guessed from our title. Instead of talking about fear, we’re going
to talk about fun. Sound interesting to you?
John Cali
In this newsletter, I’ve talked before about the Roman Catholic
Church I grew up in. I have many happy childhood memories of my
large, loving Italian immigrant family. But the Catholic Church does
not hold so many happy memories for me.
Religion for us was a rather grim, joyless affair. An endless
list of heavy obligations and responsibilities. There was much talk
about sin and its consequences, i.e. punishment by eternal hellfire.
God was this stern old man who watched over our every move, every
thought. And woe betide us if we screwed up! Yet we were also taught
God loved us.
On the one hand, here was this stern, forbidding God scrutinizing
and judging every aspect of our lives. On the other hand, God was a
caring father who loved us dearly. Even as a little kid, I had
figured out that simply didn’t make sense.
There was no fun and little joy. "Is this what religion is
all about?" I asked myself.
Even today much of the religious environment I observe is like my
childhood religion -- no fun, and little joy. Even in the areas of
alternative spirituality, I see people grim-faced and joyless.
Is that what spirituality is all about? Is that what life is all
about? Where’s the fun of it all?
Here’s Chief Joseph.
Chief Joseph
You’ve heard us say this before, many times: Life is
supposed to be fun! That includes all aspects of your life,
especially what you consider the spiritual aspects. (Of course, it’s
all spiritual.)
More crimes and murders have been committed in the name of God
than for any other "cause." The most horrible acts of
inhumanity against other humans have been done in God’s name.
Do any of you really think God, whatever you perceive him or her
to be, would condone what humanity has done in God’s name?
In one word, NO!
If there’s one thing God loves most about humans, it’s their
ability to laugh, to be joyful, to have fun. None of this stuff you
call life is that serious. You did not come to this lifetime to
suffer through a sad life and endure a sad death.
You came here to have fun! You came here to be joyful. You came
here to love and laugh and play. Anything less than that is not
what God wants for you. Anything less than that is not what
your higher selves want for you.
As we and others have said many times, "If it ain’t fun,
don’t do it."
If you could make that your "code of ethics," your code
of behavior, you would find your lives becoming more and more
abundant. You would find yourselves empowered to move more quickly
toward the life of your dreams. You would find others being drawn to
you, wondering how it is you do what you do.
You will be filled to overflowing with a deep sense of purpose,
of joy, of remembering why you came here.
Anything, anyone in your lives that does not feel good to you, or
does not bring you joy and passion, does not belong in your lives.
It’s really very simple. Your success is measured by one thing
and one thing only. It’s not measured by the amount of money,
friends, possessions you have. It’s measured only by the amount of
joy you feel. Seek joy first, then all the rest of what you want
will flow to you easily and effortlessly.
Joy is what it’s all about. Have fun and don’t worry about
the rest. The rest will take care of itself.
Chief Joseph talks about related subjects here:
Angels
at Play
But
He’s Happy
God
and Felix
Joy
Is the Key To All You Wish For
More
Angels at Play
The
Journey and the Joy
The
Power of Joy
Uncle
Jack
What
Is the Best Way To Be Joyful?
Joy
