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JOY STORIES
Butterflies
Over these last couple of years many of my interests have changed. I am a firm believer in the healing power of yoga, meditation, falun gong and all things spiritual. My choice in reading matter has moved to that which gives positive encouragement to the inner soul and my preferred music is anything that makes the soul sing. In addition to my life-time friends I have included a few extras that exude calmness and appreciation for all of the above.
Perhaps the most awesome and unexplainable experiences that I have ever had occurred on 2nd Jan ‘09. It was a balmy, almost hot, summer mid-afternoon. The air was a cacophony of summer sounds – insects, cicadas, birds and the gentle wind rustling the foliage of the trees. I was walking up the path to the look-out on the top of Mount Sugarloaf. With the warmth of the day and the steep incline of the path I was not hurrying. Almost to the top, and just before the narrow climb between the rocks, i became aware of something brushing gently against my right upper arm. Expecting a fragment of spider web or something similar, I looked down to brush it away. What i found literally took my breath away – two magnificent aqua blue butterflies were brushing my arm so closely that I thought they were going to land on me. I stood, transfixed watching them and they just kept fluttering against my skin. Glancing up I found that the air seemed to be filled with a large flock of these magnificent creatures. I don’t know how long I stood, transfixed by those beautiful butterflies. I can’t remember being aware of the surrounding sounds- it was as if time had stod still and I can’t even remember breathing. I felt as if I had been surrounded by the most incredible peace. I continued the climb and was showing a visitor (who was with me) the general panoramic sights. The peace and quiet was broken by the arrival of a couple of young mums with their kids. When I turned to see what all the noise was about they were simply running around being kids.
To my suprise I also found that the flock of butterflies had moved to where we were, but the other people seemed to be unaware of their presence. I couldn’t help myself, so I asked the mums, had their children not noticed the butterflies? There was so many butterflies that it is beyond my understanding how neither the adults or children had been aware of them. Eventually the kids quietened down and became aware of their presence. Initially the kids ran around flapping their arms at the butterflies – until one of the girls realised that the butterflies were once again brushing against me, and figured that if she stood close to me they would be near her too. She announced that she would catch one to take home, so i quietly told her that if she did that the butterfly would die as it was really an angel and must be left to fly free. Now where in the name of fortune did THAT come from? She accepted what i said and seemed satisfied. Eventually we had to leave to come home – the noise of the kids had broken the magic of the moment anyway. I often wonder what is was all about. I know it was special and I’ll always remember it as such – it’s another of those moments that will remain stored in my soul!
Juanita
Learning to be joyful
I loved “The Gospel of Joy!” I plan on going back and rereading it periodically. Every page makes me want to cry out, “Yes!” Scenes from my life just pop into my head as I’m reading. Looking back 20 years to when I was in my 30s, I was very self-centered, bitter, unhappy, and not very pleasant to be around. It wasn’t until I stopped being #1 in my life and let God take that position that I found peace, contentment and joy. (I loved that St. Paul, the master of being content in every circumstance, was quoted several times in the book). Of course, my ego keeps trying to reclaim that #1 spot, but that’s where The Gospel of Joy helps me “get over myself.” The chapter on hope particularly got to me, especially as 2 years ago I had a very difficult time dealing with my mother, who progressed from mild to severe dementia in a seemingly short period of time. I was frustrated, impatient and angry with myself for not being more compassionate. Looking back over a really bad month when I was getting about 3 hours of sleep a night, I realize that if I could get through that (I think that was one of those times when God was carrying me), I could get through anything. Now when something comes up, I just know “I can do this.” One other thing that really hit me in Amanda’s book and her presentations was that attitude is a conscious choice. Seeing how embittered and negative people approach life makes me resolve to live differently. It’s sad to see how joyful occasions can be turned sour just by attitude. It’s interesting also how different parts of The Gospel of Joy affect people. I have given away quite a few copies and everyone has come back to me saying how much the book meant to them. Some people say the chapter on forgivess really spoke to them, others the one on gratitude, and so on. It shows that the book will have continued relevance to people, no matter what stage of life or state of mind they are in. Thank you Amanda for writing this awesome book!
Sue oetting
Motorcycle Joy
Every morning, I always sat on my Mom’s bed as she woke up slowly and we always spoke about whatever. About a month before she died, I reminded her that I was going to be 50 this year. She looked at me and said, “I know….uh oh, now what are you thinking about?” I explained to her how I have always wanted to take motorcycle lessons – she said “oh no, I’ll be too worried – just wait until I die.” I said, “oh Mom, don’t talk like that.” She was quite serious and I respected her wishes – actually I respected her wishes for many years and never pursued riding.
A few weeks after my Mom died, a friend who has her own “massive” motorcycle gave me a ride. I shared with her my lack of confidence in riding and wondered if I had the strength and the courage to ride. Well she inspired me so much (and continues) that I signed up for riding lessons through Harley Davidson’s training program called Rider’s Edge. At the end of June, I completed the 22 hours of instruction over a 4 day period, finished first in my class, and scored a perfect score to get my license!!! That same exact day, my classmate and I hurried over to the Department of Motor Vehicles to immediately get our licenses and we test drove Harley’s at 3 different dealerships for the rest of the day. Then the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Conference in Salt Lake City comes along and I get the idea to rent a Harley after three days of speaking. I was advised by some to not ride alone (you don’t know the roads, what if you wipe out, what if, what if….). Solid wisdom….well hell, I went anyway, put on 250 miles of mountain roads, highways, switchbacks – you name it, I did it….including riding over roadkill! I absolutely loved every second and did not want to return it.
When I returned home, I began shopping for motorcycles once again and finally decided that the “new” and big “touring” motorcycles were not right for me at this time. I was thinking about what if I didn’t like riding – what if I didn’t have the time to ride – or even – what if I dump my bike. Finally a week and a half goes by and I resign myself to not buy a bike this year. So I plopped myself into Mom’s chair, turn her TV on, watch a religious program, and began a nap. All of a sudden, the phone rang and here it was one of my Harley instructors (who was also a salesman at a dealership) who said a deal just came into the door and he thought of me immediately and advised me on how to negotiate!! The price I offered was low and they accepted! My brother who came with me could not believe it either! So here I am 9 days later, 1900 miles on my 2005 Harley Sportster Custom 1200, and I AM LOVING EVERY SECOND.
A whole new world of friends and networks have opened up to me, as well as my head and my heart. I am beginning to feel energy coming back – not so rundown! Also, I have been carrying your “Gospel of Joy” with me and when I make a stop, I read a page or two. Grief is so deep and so very personal. And my bike and riding is so personal. I do believe somehow this experience will begin to resemble many things that I just can’t explain right now – I know the messages will come in time. I have been experimenting with incorporating my motorcycle story into my speeches. In my audiences, the women riders are coming out and speaking to me – sharing their stories and their joy for riding. There are many women who are sharing me with me that they wonder if they could ride. Women are so thrilled at how open I am about my riding experience and the pictures I show of myself on these motorcycles. I created a Facebook page called MPI Motorcycle Riders – for those that want to ride to/from a MPI conferences or ride during a conference – have 60 already within the group – will let you know how that progresses. Joy is a wonderful thing.
Michele C. Wierzgac, MS, CMM
Speaker ~ Facilitator ~ Trainer ~ Consultant
“Helping Teams Build Business Skills”
There IS a purpose for everything!
It was a sequence of events that lead to me reading this book. I got reconnected to Amanda about a oonth ago through a friend of mine. I heard of the Gospel of Joy through her. Long story, but I recieved it last Saturday. Being busy doing weekend things I didn’t pick it up until Monday early eve. I had hurt tmy back and went into work (bing ticked off about beng hurt) I went home early and thought now what. I saw the Yellow book sitting there and picked it up and started reading. The words made me go into my heart and start listening. I was reading on gratitute and was wondering what I could use as my journal. After tinking for a few minutes I thought of this journal that was given to me by my former staff. Tey wrote little fare the wells to me, but at the time I couldn’t really read it. I found it and opened it and started reading what they wrote. It was full of their gratitude and thankfulness to having worked with me. Before I read it I thought I would tear the pages out and start my journal. That didn’t happen and started on the next page and I call it my gratitude journal. I was so grateful for the people that I used to lead. It was so touching to read what they had to say about myleadership, the new and the old. I have been thoughly blessed by the people that I have touched and am touching now. I am excited being apart of this world wide Joy Tribe. By living by the wonderful advise from Amanda and lsitening to our Heart what changes could be affected by those we con in contact with. Keep the Joy going!
Laurie MAney
Getting the best gift from it!
- Refinding the Joy, Losing something and getting the best gift from it. I met my husband in 1992 from a corporate account I had been planning trips for since 1979. We got married in 94. In April of 2008 the company he worked for decided they wanted to make some changes and they changed travel agencies. So I had to think positive and pray what next. I prayed to get over this bridge. The answer was, I got the best gift from that company. My husband Don. We prayed about many things and do not hear what God is saying. Then at the same time a very good mentor dies. I opened my Travel Agency up for these two companies’. I got to praying more. Life is too short and I need to spend more time with my family. So I prayed again. I had one full time travel agent working when this all happened I asked her if she wanted to work from home. She said no. So I prayed again. On a Sunday morning I get an email from this Travel Agent she quit with no notice. I am sure that this was an answer from God once more. Now we could close the office August 31 2008. Then pretty much everyone stop going anywhere. I had a 4 month plan to pay off all my business bills. Work from home with a friend from Ohio. So I am taking one day at a time. Thank God I closed my office when I did; I can’t even think how it would have been if I was still open during this hard time the world is having. I feel that God is telling us all to slow down to hear what God is telling us, Pray, Use and share our gift more. Now I am selling part time in Travel, and having Get Together and workshops with my Creative Memories Business. And best of all learning how to be the Best Life Leader at my Church. I thank God for hearing my prayers. And thank you again God for showing me the JOY in my Heart again.
Cynthia Dalton Rogers
Many years ago I was bathing my neice and nephew (Thomas and Clelia) who were about 2 and 3. I took my neice out and had her in my arms drying her as i sat on the edge of the bath. My nephew was playing and spalshing and she was squirming…..then all of a sudden this immense peace descended on us – he just lay in the water smiling and she sat contentedly in my lap and my heart nearly burst with joy, contentment and peace – it lasted for all of a few seconds but felt like forever! Then everything went back to normal!!
from Amanda Gore – Australia
I finished the book this morning and immediately passed it on to someone else who was anxious to read it. (I ordered several more to give as gifts and one to keep for myself permanently). You are just so right on in every section. I loved it in the last chapter when you talked about watching what you read, watch, etc. I love to read and years ago would read every suspense novel around, until one day I thought, “Why am I filling my head with this garbage?” Now I read uplifting authors like Philip Yancey, Max Lucado, Paul Maier. I only watch comedies, and the only movies I go to are the Disney sort. As you said, what you fill your body AND mind with are so important.
Zoots right back at you!
Sue Oetting
