Last night, I completed the book Why God is Laughing? by Deepak Chopra. The first part of his book is a fictional story about a comedian named Mickey Fellows. The story teaches Mickey about himself. Afterwards, Chopra includes a section called “The Path to Joy: Ten Principles of Spiritual Optimism.” This section explains the lessons Mickey learns along his spiritual journey and gives us a guide to discover joy and spiritual optimism.
Four years ago, I read A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle and participated in a ten week on-line class with Oprah and Eckhart. The idea of a spiritual journey took root. I had read books on spirituality in the past; however, I really didn’t know how to utilize the information in my life. I was in a rut and burnt out, especially with work. Many days I felt like I was on the brink of a nervous breakdown. Interestingly, it took another year, another reading of A New Earth, a repeat of the on-line classes, and discovering Wayne Dyer’s work on spirituality to really start my journey to spiritual enlightenment. Through both spiritual teachers, I learned a great deal about EGO (edging God out) and being “present.” EGO is responsible for fear, among many other unflattering human qualities and emotions. And, I soon discovered it had been FEAR holding me back all this time. So many times throughout my life, FEAR was the factor helping me make many of my decisions.
While I have not totally eliminated FEAR and the EGO from my life, I have made progress at keeping them at bay. When I make decisions, I ask myself if my decisions are based on FEAR or driven by the EGO. Currently, I’m struggling on a personal level. Frankly, I assumed all my burn out was related to work. My weight, daily routines, uncertainty about what I really want to do with my life have me stuck in another rut. Chopra’s book has explained why I’m stuck. Addiction. I’m addicted to my old self. I’m stuck on things that never bring me what I really want. Now, I have to figure out how to break the addiction. While all ten principles have valuable insights, Chopra’s sixth principle deals with inertia and getting unstuck. That’s where I’ll start. I’m optimistic I WILL eventually get out of this rut.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way. I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe’s couplets: Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it./Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!” ~ W.H. Murray
The Kat Files 
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