Taking the Journey

by Judith Onley

Just so you know this is going to be a very short article and I will do my best to give you some good reading and inspiration in my very few words. I am just getting packed up to take a road trip up to Lake Superior with my friend Lois, first of all to have a camping visit with my kids and grandchildren, and also to be a personal tour guide for Lois to show her the beautiful lake where I grew up.

I am a water person and need to be near a lake or an ocean and as a result have just spent the winter in Mexico on the ocean. Jill had asked me to write an article for this summer issue of her newsletter because I have done a lot of traveling this past year and a half. I have seen much beautiful country, met wonderful people and have had amazing experiences. Even as I write that, I find it unbelievable that I have been on this journey for that long, so that is why I am calling this article "Taking the Journey" because it doesn't really matter where you go or get to, it truly is about the "journey". You do not even have to leave home. It is just the "journey" of who you are and what brings you JOY.

When I left Toronto in December, 2006, I thought I was going to Florida to visit a dear friend and to be in the warmth to rest and rejuvenate for a few weeks, which I did, and then I just became guided to keep on going (see article "Trusting Your Guidance" from TimeFinders' July/Aug 2007 issue). Since I wrote that article last summer, I zigged and zagged back and forth through British Columbia doing my energy work at different retreat centers, healing centers and just in peoples' homes. Each person I met, led me on to the next person and the next place which landed me in Mexico doing sessions on a roof top balcony under the palm trees, looking out over the ocean seeing whales swimming and manta rays jumping. How much better can life get? Well, it did ...I also got to teach salsa dance there, which is also one of my great passions.

I wasn't making a lot of "money" or really promoting my career, however I was doing what I love to do, in a place I love to do it and enjoying life because I allowed myself to go on a journey. And again, I want to stress, it doesn't mean you have to go traipsing all over the world, however, I feel it means following your heart's calling that leads you on your own personal journey which may just be in your own home environment and community.

I have realized through all of this that I really am a free spirit and a risk taker, and that is part of my soul's journey, though it definitely does not sit well with many people, especially those you need security and stability. They just cannot understand how I can do this or "why"?? So it is really important to honor whatever that calling is for you.

What brings you JOY? I have asked myself this question many times, and as simple as it may seem, I marvel at how it can change from moment to moment. There are times when it seems SO obvious and, at other times, I have to dig a little deeper to truly "feel" it.

When I work with clients, I often guide them to create a "JOY" list and just keep adding to it, so at those times when it is a little more challenging to feel it, you have a whole lot of possibilities for you to give your attention to and we all know...... where your attention goes, energy flows. So it is a great way to kick start the JOY flow.

As I have done this for myself, I realized I have many things in my life that bring me JOY. Here are a few to inspire you:

• the smiling faces of my kids and grandchildren
• looking at sunsets and sunrises
• listening to oldies music while driving in my car around the country
• dancing
• having a long conversation with a friend
• being around horses
• looking at a beautiful flower
• being near the water (especially the ocean)
• And of course, CHOCOLATE!

Even though you may not be able to do or have some of the things on your list in the moment, your brain does not know the difference between imagination and reality. As you focus on the things that feel good to you, your body will respond. So have fun letting your imagination feed your body…..and enjoy the journey!

I do a monthly newsletter with an inspirational message, so if you wish to sign up for the newsletter, please email me at judith@dancewithspirit.com . I wish you much joy on your journey!

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