I’ve noticed that I don’t speak of joy as much the last few years and certainly not much at all lately. Through my living and my work, I routinely witness the depths of pain, loss, grief, worry, fear, doubt, and confusion in dear friends, family, and colleagues. I feel equipped, helpful, and honored to witness human souls and the full spectrum of plights, challenges, and delights that our lives bring. |
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I committed a few years ago to stop “sprinkling sunshine on shit” and to lean into a more empathic listening to the hurts and pains of human family with fewer attempts to: fix, control, manipulate, change, make positive, see the bright side, and/or make others comfortable. I became acutely aware that my own comfort level depended more on others getting comfortable than was healthy or effective. |
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At a very early age, I learned that I had to consciously choose joy. My childhood memories of joy include playing games like “Hide and Seek” with my maternal grandfather; helping him bring in the cows, milk them and shell corn for them. Such very small things, really, AND they seemed like very big joys. I worked hard too — cooking, laundry, canning, preserving, freezing, lawn mowing. I had to carve out times for joyful activities: thirty minutes of laying out in the sun (no lectures please, I get it), listening to music, reading a book, playing softball in the yard, babysitting my little cousins who I adored. I also became aware that even these “joys” can turn into work. Instead of just enjoying reading a book, I have to finish it by a certain time and write a curriculum for it; or write my own book, publish it, get on the Oprah show, and accomplish more, more, more! Even getting a tan became a job over time: turning over, getting it even, etc. The point for me to hear (and maybe for some of you too): almost anything and everything becomes a thief of joy when I am not diligent in balancing the polarities of mind. |
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“I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy."
— Rabindranath Tagore
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Mind needs both free time and work, and both can be joyful. When I don’t find joy in the balancing act, I become addicted to joy and seek it in avoidance of pain and suffering (or boredom or tackling something that is new or frustrating). When things get rough, I become very offended, frustrated, disappointed, sad, and despairing. When I have balance, I can allow for those feelings and still know that joy is close by. |
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What are your known thieves of joy? What fears do you have about being joyful? Too joyful?
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Some of my favorite joy moments in the last few years have been philanthropic. I stay alert to joyful opportunities to align with events and meaningful creative causes for others. For the past few years during my birthday month, I've requested any gifts to be directed to organizations that I honor and want to support. For example, This year, gifts from friends totaled $4400 for my birthday. I had the joy of matching that amount and providing a bonus uplift to www.waterstep.org.
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One of my colleague and friend’s little girl was leading a project at her school and put out an inspiring invitation for support that I was so joyous to accept. She had clear goals and such a heart for “why” her class should get an ice cream party. SUCCESS. JOY. Here’s her video: Roma angel living ice cream joy and what is even better, making ice cream possible for others.
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“Joy is prayer; joy is strength: joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls."
— Mother Theresa
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I wrote about my friend Sally last month, who died on Mother’s Day. Even while she was bedridden and less than a hundred pounds, she ENJOYED sips of Asti Spumante and small bites of Danish or chocolates. She ENJOYED lemonade sips and bright colors. I enjoyed EVERY single bit of her, no exceptions. She famously said, “I will never forget this moment.” |
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Pets bring more joy to people than most humans ever do. This is what I mean when I say people would rather be with their pets than with people. I don’t have pets of my own and I am blessed that almost every single house I stay in has pets. All the benefits and no poop scooping! Here’s one of Jude’s babies on a car ride with us. Joy indeed. |
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“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun."
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Hadilyn, age 7 is the greatest teacher of all. She finds joy in almost every single thing too. She exclaims “YUMMMMMMMMMM” when eating something yummy; delights at turning a flip on her gym bars or when picking a flower from the garden to give to someone. She plays music in the car and sings with full abandon — not trying to be a “good” singer. She was giddy signing a Mother’s Day card and Father’s Day card for her family, then she addressed them by their first names instead of their parental titles. Joy in being “Grown-up.” She turned 7 in December and began immediately to respond when asked how old are you, “I’m about to turn 8.” Sometime along the way, she won’t have the same joy for turning another year older — or perhaps she will, and PERHAPS we can too. As momma often said, “It’s better to be the grass than the root.” |
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Love to you, friends. Join in the July classes if you can. Invite anybody willing for some joy too. |
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Martha Creek
502-905-0783
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My July 2023 Special Gift for You! |
And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.
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Join me in July for these new classes if possible. Please encourage and invite others interested to join in. No fees or registration required. Donation basis. |
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5 Signs of Life
and How to Use Them Webinar
Join Rev. Dr. Martha Creek in a 3-week series to "Discover One’s Own Worldview” exploration. 6 to 7:30 pm CENTRAL TIME. Love offering basis. No Registration Required. Please share the invite and info with interested others.
Time: Tuesday, July 11, 2023, 6:00 P.M. Central Time (US and Canada) Every week on Tuesday, 3 occurrence(s)
- July 11, 2023, 6:00 PM
- July 18, 2023, 6:00 PM
- July 25, 2023, 6:00 PM
Carl Jung says “The powerful forces of the unconscious appear, not just in clinical material, but in all activities humankind uses to experience itself.” Jung advocated that symbols are the psychological mechanism that transforms energy. And Joseph Campbell says “It is the artist who brings the images of manifestation and without images (mental or visual) there is not manifestation.”
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 822 9587 8310
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Dial by your location
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
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Here’s the link to the daily reflections from “The Science of Mind”:
Please feel free to use and share them in any way beneficial.
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Check out the cruises I’ll be taking in 2023 and join in if possible:
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Join me at the ANTN retreat conference on Oct 2– 6 in 2023 at the gorgeous Unity Village near Kansas City. www.antn.org/event-4960280. It’s a tremendous week of renewal, learning, and joyful connection.
http://www.danielnahmod.com is our musician. https://jeffonseely.com is a keynote speaker. It includes the largest labyrinth in the US, hand-carved/hand-laid stones, exceptional retreat, and conference keynotes, and the dearest community gathering of New Thought friends in all the land.
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Purchase the book below: Kindle version $1.99, Print copy (black and white) $11.99 or Full color — loads of photos ($24.99). PLEASE PLEASE leave a review on Amazon to continue to further UPLIFT these teachings.
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Read what someone wrote about the book:
Martha's words are wise, honest, real and come from her heart. Each "pearl" opens my heart and mind to possibilities, to a lesson for me told in her own loving, and very often humorous way. They bring laughter and tears, and a deep gratitude for the wisdom that she shares from her own experiences. Martha's precious personal stories bring her experiences right off the page into my world, allowing me to remember stories of my own. Every page gifts me with an idea, a truth or a lesson that I know will bring me closer to the truth of who I am.... and for this I am eternally grateful.
Bunches of love, Mary
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"We are One.”
— Martha Creek
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Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek. Many of the classes and workshops are offered by donations only, with suggested donations amounts included in the class or workshop description. We welcome your support. |
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You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
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