Dr. Terri Kennedy

Joy

"One joy scatters a hundred griefs."
-- Chinese Proverb

"It’s been said that pleasure is in the body, happiness is in the mind, and joy is in the heart. Both pleasure and happiness are fleeting. Joy, on the other hand, is a fruit of the Spirit - a deep-in-the-soul feeling. It is a state of gratitude and appreciation reflecting your relationship to your Self, the world, and your Greater Source."

"Cultivating joy is a spiritual practice. Its companions are faith and love. Together they form the axis of the ancient Wheel of Life, and are anchors in the Power Living® Practice. As the cycles of change happen, the ability to tap into these essential states of being allow you to fully enjoy the triumphs and patiently endure the trials."

"The quest for immediate gratification, which is so prevalent in our society, can inhibit the feeling of true joy. We often go for the quick 'feel-good' fix – fast food, the latest gadget, a shot of botox. This brings on a shallow view of life and a reliance on external items to simulate a temporary high."

"Sometimes it takes knowing great sorrow to realize the true joy that is already present."

"Every day you can choose to take a positive or a negative view; to live in darkness, or actively seek rays of light. Make a habit of rejoicing. Honor your own successes and enjoy others good fortune."

"Give yourself permission to experience joy even in the midst of illness or crisis. If someone is negative or attacking you find a way to respond with compassion instead of firing back."

"Release your joy every day and it will come back to you in amazing ways. And, most of all, be the source of your own joy; don’t wait for something or someone to provide it."

"Be a witness to life. See the miracles all around you. Delight in the subtle. Feel the presence of the sacred. Give thanks for everything."

"Share your bliss. Help those in need. If someone looks down, offer a smile. If someone else receives an honor, rejoice with her. Embody the qualities of joy and allow it to stream from you."

To contact Dr. Terri Kennedy, call 212.901.6913 or email info@drterrikennedy.com. Read more "The Power of..." columns. Learn more about the Power Living philosophy.