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.