Can it get any worse?

How often have we asked that same question in reference to our lives, only to have a friend retort, "Don't ask that.  The minute you do, things always get worse!"
As responsible adults we care deeply about the safety, well-being, security and futures of ourselves and loved ones. That is what makes us worth our salt as humans.  Unfortunately, because of economic factors and health issues, many of us spend an inordinate amount of time fretting... ruminating... worrying... fretting some more... it can be a never-ending cycle.

But what exactly is it we are so afraid of?
Lack of funds?  
Gasp...
What if you actually lost your home?
Or worse yet, 
what if you lost all your money?
What if you lost all of your possessions... everything you'd ever owned?

To which, I further ask, 
Do any of those things define you?

What's the worst case scenario... absolute worst case?
That you have nowhere to live?
I heard an interview with a homeless shelter worker who said that 'most' of those in the shelter actually had friends or family they could stay with... but for whatever reason, they chose not to.
Are you completely without any options as to where to live?
Are you utterly incapable of earning an income, even at the minimum wage level?
Do you REALLY foresee this as your permanent future?

If so, then you have some planning and problem-solving to do; otherwise you will have some challenging, uncomfortable hungry nights ahead. But... if on the other hand... you are not facing homeless foodless life on the streets, then your constant ruminating and fretting is doing you no good.  In fact, it is most likely stealing the joy of the moments you devote to worry.

Most of us say that what we most want out of life is 'to be happy.'  Given that fretting does not make us happy, perhaps that is where we should pitch our battle.  Once we have gotten down to the brass tacks of what happiness is all about, by the time we realize that fine 'things', while pleasant, do not actually bring lasting happiness... by that time we will realize we are already happy and not care a jot for all of the trappings we used to spend so much time being concerned about not having.

hugs
J.

The Magic Kingdom.... within

Walmart is generally recognized as the grand-daddy of super stores.
You can get everything there
at any time of day or night..... at least at the ones open 24/7
and you can get it all at rock bottom prices.

On the more magical side, a similar one-stop-shopping experience can be had at Disneyland.
With a variety of theme lands within the park at large you can visit the Wild West, the realm of fantasy, and even the world of tomorrow, all within the space of a few hours.  You can nosh on burgers and fries or fine dining fare, go dancing, shopping, zip around on theme rides, watch a parade, or just sit and admire lovingly manicured landscaping.

What if you could find the same sort of experience for your soul?  What if there was a single source for everything you desired... for peace, joy, love, fulfillment, wisdom, and so on...
Well there is.
And the good news is you don't have to wade through traffic to get there or jockey for a parking spot once you've arrived.  You don't have to hitch a trailer to your car to take it with you, and you can never misplace it or be robbed of it.
Because it is in you.
It IS you.

Few of us realize how perfectly equipped we were made to handle anything and everything life might throw at us, and to do so with decisiveness, grace and sure success.  We all possess untapped wells of understanding love and strength beyond our reckoning.  Like just about every other worthwhile pursuit, the cultivation of one's character takes diligent, consistent, undiscouraged effort.  But take heart, these spiritual workouts always bear results and it is impossible to backslide or unlearn any valuable lesson you've mastered.

So as we enter the heart of the holidays this week, instead of looking for the good we desire under the tree or even under the mistletoe, why not start by looking within.  I think you will be delighted to find that all the love, happiness, beauty, confidence and success you've ever wanted have always been inside of you... and always will be.  Good comes from within... to be shared and expressed without.  Enjoy sharing yours <3

joy to the worldly yours,
J.