10 Keys to Inner Peace and Joy

Inner peace and joy are spiritual gifts. The gifts of Spiritsupports you in being in your open, right brain, loving
enter the heart when we make the choices we needadult state. When you do not accept what is, then you
to make to be available to them. What are theseget stuck trying to control that which you cannot
choices?control - events and how others feel, think and behave.
PRESENCEThe moment you try to control others and events, you
Peace and joy exist in this present moment - not in themove into your closed, controlling wounded self, which
past or future. If you are in your left-brain egocuts you off from the gifts of Spirit.
programmed mind - your wounded self - you are likelySURRENDER
thinking about the past or the future with a desire toSurrender to the wisdom of Spirit is the opposite of
have control over something. The moment you are outliving out of your left-brain controlling ego wounded self.
of the moment with a desire to control, you cut offWhen you open to learning with the Guidance that is
access to the spiritual gifts of peace and joy, as wellalways with you and always all around you - the
as to the gifts of love and truth.Guidance that is both imminent and transcendent - you
GRATITUDEknow that you are never alone. You receive a true
The heart needs to be open in order to receive thesense of inner safety when you open to being guided
gifts of Spirit. Nothing opens the heart faster than deepby the wisdom of Spirit rather than by the learned
gratitude - gratitude for your life, your soul's journey, forknowledge and programming of your wounded self.
the body your soul lives in, for the food you eat, forFAITH
friendship and caring, for shelter, and for anything elseAs you open to your Guidance and begin to receive
that you are blessed with - eyes that see, ears thatthe gifts of Spirit, you are able to move more and
hear, arms, legs, health, and so on. Being truly gratefulmore into faith that you are truly not alone - that what
for your particular blessings opens the heart to thewe often call God is here always supporting you in
gifts of Spirit.your highest good and always manifesting your
COMPASSIONthoughts and beliefs. Faith that you are loved and that
The opposite of compassion is judgment. When weyou are in co-creation with God supports you in
choose to judge others and ourselves, our heartthinking the thoughts and taking the actions that open
closes and we get stuck in our wounded self - ouryou to the gifts of Spirit.
left-brain programmed ego mind. Judgment cuts us offTRUTH
from the gifts of Spirit, while compassion opens ourChoosing to live through accessing the truth that
heart.comes from your spiritual Guidance, rather than from
It is not enough to be compassionate toward others -the lies and false beliefs of your ego wounded self, is
you need to also be compassionate with yourself, withan invitation to all the wonderful gifts of Spirit.
your own feelings, your own woundedness, your ownINTEGRITY
mistakes and failings. You will feel a sense ofChoosing to live in alignment with the goodness of your
emptiness within that comes from inner abandonmentsoul - which means living in integrity with your own and
when you judging yourself rather than beingothers' highest good - is essential for keeping you open
compassionate toward yourself.to receiving the gifts of Spirit.
LEARNINGCONSISTENCY
When your mind is open to learning about truth andWhile many people choose the above some of the
loving action toward yourself and others, you are opentime, few people make these choices most of the
to receiving the love, truth, peace and joy of Spirit.time. Yet openness to receiving the peace, joy, love,
Choosing the intent to learn rather than the intent toand truth of Spirit requires consistency in your spiritual
protect against pain with addictive, controlling behaviorpractice. When you consistently, moment by moment,
is essential for receiving the gifts of Spirit.make these choices, you will discover the deep inner
ACCEPTANCEpeace and joy that are your birthright.
Accepting what is regarding people and events