During one of my years in China, I was having a particularly difficult time. Someone was on a mission to send hate my way by making up stories and spreading them around. Besides that, I was struggling with culture shock and old grief.

I did the only thing I could think to do, sit down with my guides and ask, “What the hell am I doing here?” A booming voice in my head said, “You here to learn about joy.” To which I answered, “Joy? I am not feeling joyful!”

In the moment, I wasn’t particularly impressed by what I heard. But, it was a profound message. The question became, can joy and grief dance together? I’ve come to learn over the years that It is not only possible, essential to learn the art of joy. We can do that, not only as a gift to ourself, also to moderate the ups and downs that being in a body can have.

Why is joy so difficult to and create maintain? For me, it was a belief that if I did something just because it brought me joy, I would be punished.

Also, so many of us believe that joy is earned. It is not. Many years ago, I was given a prayer in Akashic Records to say on top of the pyramid of the moon in Bosnia. The purpose – to release the unconscious pain that had kept humanity’s vibration low. The last verse was, “Love, joy and delight is our birthright.” It truly is our birthright!

Joy is not something you get, but more something that you intentionally create the conditions for. What are the conditions that create joy? Since our brain naturally looks for threat, lingering in moments of joy and delight will begin to retrain your brain to look for joy. I call the moments, The Divine Art of Lingering.

Besides lingering in moments of joy, these are some of the conditions that will help to create and sustain joy.

1. Engagement Joy tends to appear when we are engaged with life rather than merely managing it. Curiosity, creativity, play, beauty, movement, nature, learning and

2. Make Room for All of You A part of you may be joyful while another part is afraid, exhausted, angry or grieving. You don’t have to eliminate those parts to experience joy. Joy can dance with all of your parts.

3. Go for What Energizes You Instead of asking, “What should I do?” ask, “What would make my heart sing?” Energy, curiosity, attraction and genuine interest can become navigational signals.

4. Open Your Receiving Channels Joy requires receptivity—not just effort. Beauty, love, money, appreciation, pleasure, support, opportunity and connection all require the capacity to let something good in.

5. Stay Connected Living systems don’t thrive in isolation. Relationships, community, nature and belonging provide the conditions in which joy can regenerate.

Joy isn’t static. Like energy in a living system, it moves. It changes form. Sometimes joy is exuberance. Sometimes it’s peace. Sometimes it’s wonder. Sometimes it’s laughter. Sometimes it’s the quiet satisfaction of doing something that matters. And, it is our birthright to live in joy. Give yourself the gift of joy!

This Saturday, August 15th, I will be hosting an Akashic Gathering at 9:00pt, 10:00mt, 11:00ct, and noon et. If you are an Akashic Records student you are welcome to stay on zoom after the gathering to connect and share. I will be opening the records of Divine Nature and the Guardians in Charge of the Advancement of Humanity for wisdom and guidance. Here is the link.