Just Be Happy

Just Be Happy by Gary Eby, MSW

In a previous presentation about the meaning of life, I mentioned the importance of the following mantra: "We live, move, breathe, and have our being in the Love-Light of God." This powerful spiritual idea can make us very happy; but first we need to move it down from the cognitive mind---sense consciousness, to the heart-center where we actually can feel peace and deep fulfillment.

Before I continue with my recommendations of a process to "Just Be Happy", let me reiterate my so-called famous disclaimer: You are completely free to reject everything I am about to say about joy, happiness, meaning, and life-satisfaction. What I believe is not that important. What is important has to do with you finding your own form of faith that lifts you up, and helps your spirit soar!

Along these lines, let's pause for a moment to remember Dr. Wayne Dyer. As you know, he passed away a short time ago. Wasn't he awesome? He did so much to help probably millions of people find more faith in their own innate, spiritual resources. Did you know he actually made a movie called "The Shift"?

It takes place in a beautiful resort by the ocean. A film crew is interviewing him about his new book. There are several vignettes about two families who come to the resort with all kinds of typical, modern-day problems. Wayne makes the point early in the movie that the secret to life is to be happy. He shares some of the steps that can help all of us be happier; and at the end of the movie, those families I mentioned, experience a positive, emotional shift in their lives.

I highly recommend this movie. Just the nature and ocean scenes alone are striking enough to help all of us have that positive shift in spiritual awareness towards more peace of mind.

For me, I have discovered a simple, little system that is 'guaranteed' to make you feel happy! All you have to do is count to five. Sounds silly doesn't it? But give it a try. Count to five aloud right now. Doesn't it make you happy? Smile... Well as some of you know me by now, each one of those numbers correspond to some mighty, amazing, and remarkable spiritual beliefs. Let's discuss each one.

#1. We are One with the Father within. Jesus, the master teacher, stated, "The Father and I are one." He mentioned the, "Kingdom of God is within us." He also stated, "It is the Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In addition, Patricia Jepsen Chuse, in her wonderful, mystical book, The GodSelf pointed out, "The key to everything lies within you. Turn the key."

In other words, our Creator, Divine Source is with us always. We are never alone; we are never separated from Spirit. Whatever painful and overwhelming challenges that might appear in our physical life, immediate relief and healing will happen when we discover the link to direct communion with the Infinite Presence. This all makes me very happy. Does it make you happy?

#2. We are spiritual not just material. Here is that link. This is the great New Thought mantra started way back in the late 1800's by Phineas Quimby. The baton was taken up by Mary Baker Eddy. It was passed to Emma Curtis Hopkins, H. Emilie Caddy, and the founders of Unity, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore.

There is a Divine Spark within us. You can call it the Soul-Self, the Christ-Self, the God-Self, or the True-Self. Remember Jesus said, "You are perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect." According to Genesis in the Old Testament, "God created us in his image and likeness. And He saw everything was Good."

Furthermore, countless near death and after death testimonies reveal one's life as a unique form of spiritual consciousness, which lives on eternally with beauty, perfection, joy, love, and wisdom. Being in touch with our True-Self is the state of magnificence that Anita Moorjani talks about in her book, Dying to be Me.

Along these lines, Patricia Jebsen Chuse in her book, Breaking Through suggests a helpful exercise to get in touch with our magnificence. Just repeat these three I AM statements over and over: "I AM joy; I AM peace; I AM the Kingdom of God."

This makes me very happy too. What about you?

#3. Open the heart to feel Divine Grace. What is Divine Grace? There is that old quote, "There but for the grace of God go I." Remember the song, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...?" And this lovely tune: "You raise me up to stand on mountains. You raise me up to walk on stormy seas. I am strong when I am on your shoulders. You raise me up to more than I can be."

Joel Goldsmith, Christian Mystic and healing practitioner, stated in his book The Art of Meditation, "The purpose of meditation is to attain divine grace." Jesus said, "I have come so they might have life, and have it more abundantly."

Apparently Divine Grace is all about unconditional love that comes from Spirit, and flows through our heart-center always connected to our True-Self. Joel Goldsmith in his other books, suggests that Divine Grace includes Love and all the Good that God provides us. We have access to all that Good, right now, today. Wow!

Just open your heart. Feel the joy, the energy; feel the harmony and the love. Let yourself experience the full range of positive emotions. You are cherished by the Divine. For example, hold on to the wisdom of Akiane Krameric and Segatashya.

Akiane, a child prodigy for painting and poetry had this to say about unconditional love:(Oh, look at her paintings on the internet. They will lift your spirit.) "With so many scientific achievements we know so little of where we come from and where we are going. But we know even less of the the most important discovery of all--Love. Only love can accept our differences as we journey through life. And only love can allow space for our growth."

Segatashya, a young African boy, who was illiterate and a pagan from Rwanda, started having visions of Jesus in 2002. Listen to his words: "No one is forced to believe in God; but still, God lives in every person's heart...just follow your heart to God's love. Those who live in love will hear God's voice, because God's voice is a voice of love."

Today I open my heart to God's Love and Grace. This makes me very, very, happy. How about you?

#4. Release all negativity. This is the process of "Let Go and Let God." And "Not my will but Thine." In "The Shift" Wayne Dyer also talked about letting go of ego. There are many ways to rise above the appearance of limitations, loss, fear, anxiety, poverty, unhealthy relationships, disease, whatever. For me, I simply repeat the Hawaiian prayer called Ho'oponopono: "I love you; I am sorry; please forgive me; thank you, thank you God."

Negative sensation has no real power over us. There is only One Power...God. If you are battling some form of negativity, try saying the numbers above: one, two, three. Then affirm: I AM One; I AM spiritual; Grace always flows through me. Repeat this process over and over until you feel some relief.

What you are actually doing here is pulling Truth from your intellect down to your subconscious mind, which actually governs how the physical body feels, thinks, and acts. Dr. Murphy in his book, The Power of the Subconscious Mind, calls the subconscious the "doorway to the soul." Patricia Jebsen Chuse further adds that the subconscious is "our friend." So let's practice using it to our advantage.

Now I am really starting to be happy. Smile...

#5. Be still; stop thinking. Joel Goldsmith was always talking in his writings about transcending thoughts--even the subconscious mind, and going into the Silence, which is the world of Spirit. H. Emilie Caddy, Emma Curtis Hopkins, and the Filmores, strongly advocated seeking the place of the Most High within us via prayer and meditation.

Just practice being still. Know that we are at peace now. Wait, watch, breathe, listen. Feel the positive energy inside. Open you heart; smile. Feel the joy, the love, the light. Be still and know, "I AM that I AM." And... most importantly, simply ask the Father, "How can I serve you today?"

Wayne Dyer in "The Shift" called this process "quantum moments." Be open to having a peek spiritual experience in the Silence. If your physical mind continues to race, slow it down by affirming, "It is done; it is finished." And repeat the numbers: one, two, three, and four.

You can feel the Infinite Presence. You can know your divine purpose. Just be still and count to five: one, two, three, four, five. Again: one, two, three, four, five. You see, I told you counting to five will make you happy. Just...be...happy. Like I said in the introduction: "We live, move, breathe, and have our being in the Love-Light of God!"