To lose track of the thrill of beginning to learn something new in a life is the beginning of losing the spirit that fuels our inner joy. The spirit in a person yearns to connect with what it is abundant in all ways. It is hardwired in us as children to expand, be vulnerable and enjoy our experiences. That joy is muted or threatened to be killed outright by a scarcity mindset, instilled insecurities, and cultivated fear. This enthusiasm, if not nurtured, sleeps within everyone. Joy liberates us and opens us up to prospects and possibilities. There are no guarantees in the human adventure but there is always a flame of desire and an opportunity to be enthusiastic that burns - however buried - in us all. Look for it and pick that baby up.
Hafiz talks about how there is a need for us to honor and respect the spirit of benevolence and expansion in our lives so we can recall, own, support and share the joy we had as a child.
Thank you for listening.
Music: ...And now for something a little different.... Here is a clip from a too-long-forgotten gem of a movie from 2005 called, Little Miss Sunshine. The song Super Freak by Rick James is a naughty dance tune taught to Olive (Abigail Breslin) by her grandfather as her talent offering for a Little Miss beauty contest that Olive had been obsessed with winning. Olive is blind to the obstacles she will face in meeting her desire. She only knows the excitement and learning how to meet it enthusiastically. This tightly organized little, final round talent presentation falls wonderfully apart as love puts the moves on and takes over spurned on by Olive's vivacious tenacity. I highly recommend this memorable film.
The original post in this series of poems by Hafiz (including an addendum regarding the authenticity of these poems) can be found here. Also, my thoughts on this series a year into these poems, HERE.
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz and translated by Daniel Ladinsky can be purchased here.
My book can be purchased HERE. E-book HERE. The Season Two blogcasts with audio excerpts from my book begin HERE: in Behind The Lines. This reading of the book excerpts in a mixed media format is Season Two of this blog. These recorded excerpts are outside the chronological order in which the book was written. Podcasts with audio only beginning with episode 22 can be found HERE.