A Journey Into Joy
Step 5 — Week 3: The First Step
Step 5 encourages us to “cross the threshold”, in order to take our first step towards answering “the call” (step 2). With this step, it’s time to “bite the bullet” as it were, take a deep breath in, and on the exhale take that all important first step. Once the momentum has started, taking the next step is a bit easier.
For me I plan to continue with the areas covered in the weeks of Step 1 (health, home, The Mandala Lady, and my purpose). To join in on the journey, visit the MandalaoftheMonth.com to download the mandala to color and learn more about this step.
Here’s my journal entry for step 5–week 3: The Mandala Lady
For step 4 I wrote that I could do “The Sedona Method” as a way to work through my lack of feeling enough. I have the book but have yet to officially open it…I’ve glanced at it but that’s it. So like anyone who struggles with doing the inside work, I focused on the physical steps I can take first.
This month, I’ve taken two first steps forward…well, technically one step because I couldn’t do one without doing the other one first. I, for the first time ever, hired a photographer to do my head shot. Scary step but a necessary one for me. Now that I have my head shot, I took my other first step…having a new banner made for whenever I do “Mandala Lady” events.
Another first step I started this month is to regular do the Tuesday Flicker & Fir Farm Stand Market. While most of what’s offered at the market is food/produce related, there are some artisans there as well. So I thought…why not me too? For now I’m focusing on doing readings with my Mandala Oracle decks. After June 8, I’ll start offering my mandala meditation stones for sale. I’m currently making two new batches of hand-painted stones, 20 in each batch, in prep for the Salem Mystic Fair on June 8. Whatever stones are left after that fair, I’ll have for the market.
I’ve also learned of a new age shop that has opened in the next town over. I met the owner and see some opportunities for doing readings and workshops there soon.
So these steps are all great steps to take and I’m pleased with myself for doing them…they’re valid physical first steps. The step I also need to take is the internal one…making that first step into “The Sedona Method”. I’ll start on it tonight.
That’s it for now.
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
inspiring and encouraging creativity, curiosity, and play through the art of mandalas
ABOUT “A JOURNEY INTO JOY”
With all the anxiety and stress in the world right now, focusing on joy may seem a bit counterintuitive. Mais contraire mes amis. We actually need more joy in our lives…now more than ever. And it starts within each of us. It’s been my experience that when in that higher vibrational state of joy, it helps raise the vibration of those around us as well.
Brené Brown defines joy as “an intense feeling of deep spiritual connection, pleasure, and appreciation”. Of late, I mostly experience only moments of happiness and on a rare occasion, joy…thus my desire to journey into joy.
My quest throughout this year is to explore, experience, and express this state in a variety of ways, including following a variation of the hero’s journey, as professed by Jospeh Campbell.
Care to join me? Here’s how…
MandalaoftheMonth.com: On the first of the month, I’ll create and post a mandala for coloring. Each month we’ll take another step along the “journey into joy” by following a modified version Joseph Campbell’s a hero’s journey. Included in each step will be a description of the step and prompts for coloring and/or journaling for the month. You’re welcome to color them as well…they’re free to download.
MandalaoftheWeek.com: Each Monday I’ll be posting my coloring of that month’s Mandala of the Month, which will produce 4-5 colorings of that design. With each one, I intend to dig deeper into the message of that month’s mandala. You’re welcome to color along as well.
Mandala of the Week 