“Deck the halls with boughs of holly, trala lala la, lala la lah!

Now to fill your on-line trolley, tralalalala, lala la lah…!”

Apparently now, in order to be suitably seasonal, we have to spend money on-line to feel jolly; or worst still if we believe the jingle, spend money instead of feeling jolly for the sheer joy of it…!   Well  I realize this is old news about our materialistic view of Christmas but it’s still a shock to hear it put so crassly and baldly.. I may be being oversensitive (& I did actually laugh when I first heard it) but when I realized they’ d supplanted one of my favourite carol lines with an injunction to shop instead of be joyful…..well- in my mind it almost ranked up there with that apalling slogan “I shop, therefore I am” that even Selfridges realized was a bust & removed hastily!

I guess it grated because it contrasted so much with that lovely scene from the film  Little Women with Winona Ryder & co. singing ” Deck the halls…etc. ” with so much gusto and joy- as I recall it anyhow- apparently just for the sheer joy of being together, and despite any tribulations & lack. It’s been a while since I saw it & I know it’s a bit saccharin for many, but it’s undeniably a story of how someone had sensed that their true purpose lay in being an author, and pursued that against the odds. And in so doing, they ultimately found their  true joy and purpose… not to mention their soul-mate-if I remember correctly..! Hhmm.. I really should have tried to re-read the book later after the disastrous attempts when I was 9 and at school about 12. How is it that great books become such a forgettable  snooze in English classes, even when you love English??!!  Well, if anyone else is any wiser on Little Women’ true meaning, then let me know..maybe I only got the Hollywood meaning!

Anyhow apart from a rant,what I really meant to say is..(and I’m sure you enlightened folks don’t need reminding) is: Let’s all continue that noble tradition of being jolly for the sheer joy of it at any opportunity both this season and any other …..tralalala-lala  ta daaaahhh!!

Maximally JOLLILY

Joyfullyfabulous

Also, my intention is to connect with all you other marvellous people out there who feel that you are on a similar kind of ‘spiritual’ journey of awakening to joy, or any other blissed-out core states you’d like to mention. It’s mainly for people who are interested in non-religious paths, as there are plenty of other avenues for you all to explore how different religions could help you to experience joy but you could share very briefly exactly what has helped you feel joy- if you are really feeling highly joyful all the time!!

I’m interested to know what sort of techniques or sources of inspiration you use, that could be used by anyone and everyone to find joyful states -rather than things, objects or people that are very specific to you… and definitely not about anything that most of us would find distasteful or reprehensible! However that still gives us a fairly broad remit and of course any unsuitable entries would be moderated and deleted..

Some ideas or CATEGORIES I had in mind might be:

Techniques (NLP);  Techniques (Other);

Seminars;  Workshops;

Meditation (we could create different categories for different types if necessary)

Sources of inspiration for joyful moments/feelings such:

Uplifting films that are positive and hopeful (particularly ones where the protaganists triumph over adversity or are heroes!)

Great websites or web-clips

Outstandingly joyful people (famous or not)

Great & unusual sporting moments (particularly as above!)

Personal Stories (of our own-or others but only if you have their permission..)

Links to websites or people that have helped you to connect to your joy!

Any other useful categories or ideas…

Well, that’s probably enough for now -just to let you know what my vision for the blog is…

Unfortunately I will have to stop here as, although I woke up feeling an unusual kind of bliss sweeping through me countering the normal not so joyful state(!), I haven’t been able to keep at bay the unblissful cold now sweeping over me-despite feeling joyful at the possibility of connecting with other like minded journeyers! Well I guess it just goes to show that it really IS a learning curve probably with a few back-tracks and hiccups along the way and hey!… I never promised you instant enlightenment!!! In fact while I think about it, perhaps I should clarify that this blog is for mere mortals on the journey, not any smart alecs or gurus offering instant fixes or nirvana in the next moment….although ideas/stories of rapid change are welcome! Neither is it for any kill-joys or anti-this or thats who insist that if we all did it  ONLY their way & gave up whatever  their pet-peeves are, we’d all be more joyful….blah..moan..blah! And here I am thinking of some authors in particular who just seem ANTI but don’t have any positive agendas ideas or ways forward..

This blog is really about a mutually respectful sharing of positive, uplifting and inspirational ideas, sources and techniques for us all to become  Joyfinders in increasingly greater depths and dimensions…well- they do say “Aim for the stars..” don’t they?! And if anyone knows who the ‘they’ is who first coined or used that phrase-let me know..it might be kind of interesting..

Well- I’m off for a rest..sometimes that really is the best option for finding all kinds of joy, including the joy that comes from being really healthy and refreshed- after all, no matter how blissful we feel we still need our bodies to do things now and then!!

Authentically joyfully

Mrs Magnificent Joyfullyfabulous….who as a relative beginner is off to take her cough mixture and thereby minimize her risk of being slapped by all the pollyanna haters out there…!!