A Journey Into Joy
Step 8 — Week 4: The Ordeal
Step 8 The Ordeal This marks the greatest test thus far. We may face a major hurdle or obstacle which causes us to hit rock bottom. It’s a pivotal moment in our journey. It’s time to face our greatest fear, it’s time to overcome our weaknesses and step into the title of hero.
Translating this to our journey into joy, this is the moment where we go into the “belly of the beast” of that which is blocking our joy, to face it directly, and challenge its hold on our joy. We have the skills, we know what to do, now is the time to put it all into action…it’s time to put down the self-help books and apply what we’ve learned.For me I plan to continue with the areas covered in the weeks of Step 1 (health, home, The Mandala Lady, and my purpose).
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 8–week 4: My Purpose
I revisited “the call” regarding my purpose (step 2 — week 4) to remind myself of what it is: I’m being called to soar like the one I am meant to be. Since the last time I posted about “my purpose”, I’ve “discovered” Internal Family Systems (IFS) via a book recommended by Martha Beck during one of her podcasts: “Self Therapy” by Jay Earley PhD.
In an effort to give a good representation of this system, I went to ChatGPT to see what it had to say about it. I was going to somehow re-write it as if I had written it myself, but its version said it perfectly IMHO…so why re-invent the wheel.
From ChatGPT:
”Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that views the mind as made up of different “parts” or subpersonalities, each with its own thoughts, emotions, and roles. These parts can be seen as internal family members who may take on different roles to protect us, manage our emotions, or respond to past experiences. Some parts may carry burdens from past trauma or emotional pain, while others act as protectors or caretakers.
The goal of IFS therapy is to help individuals connect with their core Self—a calm, compassionate, and wise inner essence. From this grounded place, people can understand and heal their parts, fostering greater internal harmony. The process encourages curiosity and compassion toward all parts of oneself, promoting healing and personal growth.”
I love how it says “the process encourages curiosity”…curiosity happens to be one of my two core values. Since starting this process I’ve already met two “parts” and started engaging with them. I look forward to making more headway in all areas of my life.
Not only have I purchased the book, I also purchased the workbook, and I’ve found a new-to-me friend who’s also interested in IFS and the book…now I have an IFS buddy so I don’t have to go it alone.
That’s it for now.
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
🌟 bringing sanity to an insane world 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 