JOY

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Life’s challenges and joys can be beautifully symbolized by the humble bean pod. At first glance, these pods may seem unremarkable—dry, faded, and even a little lifeless. But when you open them, you’ll discover something surprising: vibrant purple beans, rich with beauty and potential.  In their earlier stages, these pods are a lush, vibrant green, full of promise. Yet their precious beans remain hidden, locked away. It’s only as the pods dry out—transforming into something seemingly worn and unattractive—that their treasures become accessible.

 

This journey reflects our own path in life. Many of us embark on a spiritual journey from a place of pain, yearning to understand and transform it. To move forward, we must confront our pain—embracing sadness, working through anger, and facing our fears head-on. Only by doing so can we release these emotions and open ourselves to true joy. Here’s a simple yet profound truth: the very receptors that allow us to feel pain are the same ones that let us experience joy.

 

Joy isn’t about what you have or get. It’s not found in fleeting “guilty pleasures” that give a short boost of happiness. Instead, joy is about how fully present you are in the moment. Whether you’re gardening, dancing, or simply being, if you’re engaged wholeheartedly, you connect with true joy. This joy is guilt-free—you don’t need to be anywhere else or do anything more. It's about fully being present - embracing and loving what is.

 

Once you harvested these beans, there are multiple options on how to make use of them - use some to nourish us right now, others can be saved for the future, and some are meant to be shared—planting seeds of inspiration in the lives of those around us.

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You received this dry pods and some lush gorgeous beans. I am hoping they can inspire you to touch upon real joy. 

I send you love, safety & freedom to play on your journey.  ruth 💚