Thou Child of Joy

My niece with her little Sully, taken by Heather of TendershootZ.

Once again, Meridian Magazine has an article that is well worth the reading, entitled "Thou Child of Joy." Its author, M. Catherine Thomas (formerly of the BYU Ancient Scripture Department), suggests that every one of us inadvertently places an artificially imposed limit upon the amount of joy we are willing and able to experience. Even better, she suggests ways and means of expanding that limit to first claim and then own what she declares to be our "birthright": rapture.

I don't know about you, but I thoroughly enjoy joy. I also enjoy what this woman has to say about it. Especially this:

"But we are an odd species in that we cannot feel good for very long before we try to cut it off with some negative thought to bring us down. Two therapists, a married couple, describe the human tendency to feel bad as the 'Upper Limits Problem.' They suggest that really the only problem we have to solve, whether by ourselves or in a relationship, is to learn how to let our self expand continuously into more positive energy. Due to our past conditioning, they say, we all have a lid on how much positive energy we can tolerate. Go past this limit and an alarm goes off in our unconscious mind...

"When the upper limit is exceeded there can be an 'ashy' feeling inside. Breath and movement help. Even a few minutes of deep breathing or fast physical activity can move the toxic sensation out of the body. Since 70% of the toxins in the body are released through breathing, toxins are most effectively dispersed through activities that stimulate the breath.

"Spiritual development is a holistic venture, employing all aspects of our self."

Having experienced the feeling many times, I know with all my heart that great joy is possible. I am beginning to believe that it is also sustainable, particularly when we remember that its accompanying light and warmth are fueled by divine energy. Such energy, being unlimited in nature, does not burn out (only we do), and neither does it go dim. Our innate tendency to "see through a glass, darkly" doesn't mean we can't increase our ability to access the light on a more regular basis. In fact, with added awareness and deliberate practice, we may even learn to keep our doors and windows open to it all or most of the time.

Of course, any light that comes to us emanates from one Source. Like every positive thing we experience in life, Christ is at the center, and ours is the decision to move closer or farther away.

"Step by step, we come to Thee...

Thy light is a beacon for all to see."

The joy will follow.

I should have included this poem in that happiness talk (part 1 and part 2) I gave in Dallas, but I will share it now:

His Children

©2003 Susan Noyes Anderson, His Children, Vantage Point Press

Though some have more and some have less

All have the gifts that He imparts

His children will find happiness

Not in belongings they possess

But in the longings of their hearts

Though some have more and some have less

The measure of a soul’s success

Lies in the sacred, inner parts

His children will find happiness

In days of bliss or deep distress

Each child can learn the Master’s arts

Though some have more and some have less

All have the power to heal and bless

All feel the hope of fresh new starts

His children will find happiness

In every feeling they express

In joy and all its counterparts

Though some have more and some have less

His children will find happiness