Friday, October 2, 2009

The Joy Diet: truth

The work of Byron Katie is featured in the truth section of The Joy Diet. A few years ago, I attended a workshop on the teachings of Byron Katie at a sweat lodge that I was somewhat active in. Since that time, I had forgotten about her work. Until this week. I think people tell themselves lots of painful stories that aren't true. It comes from years of negative tapes looping over and over again in our heads. I like the idea of these "truth questions" because JOY is a choice and so are the stories we tell ourselves. We don't have to continue suffering through the same old worn out and useless stories. We can gently shift our thinking for happier endings.

Here's what I learned about MY truth this week. I've had a bad habit over the years of not being active in my own life. My stories were so loud that I couldn't get quiet enough to hear anything better. As some of you know, I've been out of work since the beginning of the summer. This has turned out to be such an amazing blessing. Each day, very slowly, I am beginning to get to some quiet places where I my truest self is finally listening. My truth is this: Every day that I wake up on this earth is a gift from God. If we receive a gift, we shouldn't waste it. All that I'm required to do in my life is to simply show up each day and be present. I don't have to accomplish grande and impressive things; I simply have to be present and do something. This week, I've been asking myself how can I best serve God, myself, my significant other, my children and family, and my career. I've been doing a little in each area daily and the truth is, my old stories are beginning to crumble. When I'm showing up and being present and serving, it makes all the difference in the world.

12 comments:

  1. What an incredible and inciteful truth!

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  2. That's great to realize Jane, that your truest self is finally listening. I hope you get to hear some great new stories!

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  3. Lovely, simple truth and I loved hearing your insights! It is really wonderful to be sharing this journey with you and all the other group members. Thanks!

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  4. I love the concept of listening to your truest self, but also that your truest self is listening.

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  5. What a beautiful portrait of gratitude. Yes, joy is a choice. Truth is a choice. And we are always in a dance with our true selves... we simply have to acknowledge it. Bravo!

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  6. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful journey with truth. I especially appreciated how you viewed you truest self.

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  7. Thank you for sharing your week of truth. May you continue to find joy in the simple act of showing up in your life.

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  8. I love how you said "We can gently shift our thinking for happier endings" You post was so powerful for me. Thank you.

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  9. Jane, do you know how wonderful it has been witnessing your process over these past few weeks/months? I have been watching you unfold, and work through things and it has been spectacular to behold! You go woman! :)

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  10. Joy is a choice. I so agree with that.

    I was not working for a while and had time to "just be". I think it was the best thing that could have happened to me.

    May you continue to quiet those old tapes and make CDs of the good stuff! hah!

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  11. I so resonated with your post




    peace & Hugs

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