Title: The Joy of Spirit Author: Margaret Paul, Ph.D. E-mail: mailto:margaret@innerbonding.com Copyright: © 2003 by Margaret Paul Web Address: http://www.innerbonding.com Word Count: 645 Category: Spiritual Growth/Inspirational

THE JOY OF SPIRIT By Margaret Paul, Ph.D.

I have counseled individuals, couples, families and business partners for past 35 years and authored eight published books. All this experience has resulted in development of a profound healing process, called Inner Bonding, which anyone can learn and use throughout day (free course available - see resource box at end of article). One of results of practicing Inner Bonding process is much more joy in your life.

What brings you joy? What really brings you joy, as opposed to what you think brings you joy?

We have all been taught that we will be happy when we: find our soulmate, make money, work at something we love. Or, we will be happy and fulfilled when we have a house, have a child, do service. Yet I have worked with people who have and do all of above and are still not happy, and I know of people who have little or none of above and are frequently joyful.

You might try to find your joy with substances such as alcohol or drugs, but I have never met anyone using these substances whose energy was truly joyful. You might try to find your joy through getting love from others, or through sacrificing yourself and caretaking others, but I have never met anyone who was a taker or caretaker who was truly joyful. So, what creates joy?

------------------------------------------------------------ copyright (c) Pavel Lenshin ------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere I read an instructive speculation about exceptional role that dedication or perseverance as well as desire play in any self-made entrepreneur's life.

Indeed. There are many smart people out there with a diploma or even two, yet very few of them have reached their life goals. On contrary, dominating share of those outstanding people very often represent middle or even lower middle class, being teachers of some country school or low paid consultants. The same, if not more, is true with many unordinary talented people, who happened to lead a secluded life far from money and fame. Sadly to say, but those people of art are usually recognized after their death only.

So what character features are important to succeed if it is not for talent or education? What features many of those gifted people lack in their youth in order to prove their talent, become famous worldwide and be recognized during their lifetime, not after?

One can say money or some authority power. It is true, but partially. While a person, especially one, who lives in authoritarian society can get almost anything s/he wants with help of a bureaucratic and corrupted political power or substantial financial support, several objection exists. The first one is that power as well as money is not endless and eternal, and it is impossible to save a sinking (for any reason) boat with several dip-buckets forever. Secondly, success achieved that way is more likely to be a gift that might have been given to any man or woman, but not a personal achievement, so, as we see, crucial role here is not played by a third party support as well.