One night this week, I was already in bed when I heard a sound like loud sparklers crackling. I looked out my window to see white-gold bits of light flying in every direction in the neighbor’s yard beyond our backyard trees. Sparks flew far enough for me to wonder if nearby shrubbery would catch fire. My first instinct was to call 911, yet a feeling of festivity and audible expressions of delight shifted my call-to-action.
September is not a typical season for fireworks, nor is a late weeknight customary party-time. Yet a fountain of colorful light poured forth, and I settled in from my secure vantage point, elbows propped on the window sill, smiling broadly. In the silence afterwards, it was the children’s voices I loved most.
I climbed back into bed to do my evening contemplation and took that joy inward. It set off a spiritual wave. I found myself wanting to be part of children playing and people of all ages enjoying each other’s company. The feeling sent me into a blissful state as I pictured myself amidst happy family, outside of an evening, enjoying fresh night air, musical voices, brightly colorful flying lights, and the sizzle of sparklers. My inner senses were fully engaged.
Years ago, I read that it is the power of imagination rather than the power of will that determines our experiences in this world. It has taken me years to begin taking responsibility for my imagination, turning away from criticism and negative images, thoughts or fears, to what lightens my heart and brings joy. In the past, I felt that simply being content or happy wouldn’t serve Life enough. I had to be in the trenches, suffering with those in their darkest hours (or my own) in order to be serving God. Lately, I see that I may have sentenced myself to an unnecessary fate. I can go to those dark places to assist others, but I don’t need to stay in the dark to serve in the dark.
The next day, a kind of miracle appeared. Someone contacted me looking for a coach and asked what kind of coaching I did. I explained that I help people listen deeply to their true heart’s desire, trust what they know, and actualize that divine purpose in their lives. I asked if she had a dream she was looking to realize, and she wrote back, Yes. Family, community and marriage.
This outer reflection of my experience the night before—and an opportunity to serve as I learn—keeps surfacing in my world. Life Itself is the coach. Connecting each moment that Life peeks out around a corner to wink in my direction, I begin to see a pattern, a structure, a path of joy to follow. All great spiritual beings do what they do out of love, unconditional and true. How could that be anything but joyful?