Forgiveness of Yourself on The Path of Joy

PinkFlower

Is there a Wiccan path to joy?

What is joy really? Is it happiness?

Not really. It is a step to happiness. Tonight, I had the opportunity to hear a talk by Chade-Meng Tan, author of Joy On Demand, who said: “Joy is a moment to moment feeling. It is the building block of happiness.”

The question is: How do we get to joy? Much of my life I wanted to feel joyful, but various things held me down: a brother who terrorized me and later, an abusive marriage.

I learned a number of things that helped me get stronger, and through Wicca I left that abusive marriage.

Still, how does joy pertain to Wicca?

The Gods want us to be happy.

But many times we get in our own way. We put shame and anger in our way. What do I mean about that?

We put ourselves down, and we ignore our true beauty and talent. This puts a roadblock to our joy and happiness.

Can you relate to this? Have you ever been mad at yourself for making mistakes or “not being good enough? Or smart enough?”

As I was growing up, having dyslexia, I felt stupid. I had terrible trouble reading and struggled to keep up in school. More than that, I felt that I didn’t measure up to the media’s idea of feminine beauty. That was a lot of pressure! (Models don’t even measure up to it. That’s why they are significantly Photoshopped!)

With so much self-directed emotional turmoil, I failed to see myself as the Gods saw me. Beautiful and sacred. It wasn’t until I did the Self Love Meditation that I truly understood this.

With tears in my eyes, I saw the truth.

Now I look to the little things of life to give me joy. For example, a simple drink of water. 783 million people do not have access to clean water. I think of how fortunate I am to have clean water on tap. Taking a drink of water gives me a simple joy.

When’s the last time you were thankful and joyful about something? Was it months, weeks, days ago? Think about it. Do you thank the Gods for positive things in your life?

The Gods want us to be happy and have joy in this world. Remember, the Gods are love.

Still, how does self-forgiveness fit in with being a true Wiccan? Picture this. You make a mistake. You get mad at yourself. All you’re now looking at is the mistake and how “bad” you were. In effect, you’re turning away from what the God and the Goddess want you to see and to nurture. They want you to nurture yourself and have a healthy relationship with yourself. And with such a healthy relationship, you can have a healthy, loving relationship with Them.

Imagine this. How about being compassionate toward yourself? Wouldn’t you give a close friend the benefit of the doubt? Wouldn’t you be kind to your friend?

How about extending such understanding and kindness to yourself? Forgive yourself for making mistakes. Nurture yourself as you do better and better on your Wiccan path.

Being compassionate is being one with kindness. Kindness is linked to love.

We are of the Gods and the Gods are of us. Forgiving yourself and making room for you to pay attention to joy will empower you. As you experience joy, you naturally bring joy to others as well.

And then the God and Goddess will smile with you in this present moment.

Blessed Be,
Moonwater

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