We all experience guilt and pain but JOY IS ALLOWED.

Guilt and pain is something most of us experience. I am definitely one of those people! Why do I feel it? How? Is it a “required emotion” for a moral, good person?

A sence of guilt can show up in a variety of ways, one is when someone else is going through a hard time, someone I sincerely care for (Or a whole people group! A Country!) -But I still manage to smile over something, even feel a sence of joy…Then guilt sets in. Some part of me feel ashamed, as if I am now guilty of wrongdoing.

I have come to realise that it is not wrong to feel JOY, – whenever it “strikes”. For me it is a matter of survival, I think. If I can’t grasp hold of that joy, the hardships in life might very well do me in. It may come as a pure sensation, a thought, a visual (real or imaginitive :)) or a choice to act, to do something that will bring pleasure, as in putting a blue piano in my backyard :)!

If you are feeling sad for some reason, ask yourself;  “What can I do now that would bring me joy?”, and then DO IT! It might be “silly”, but really, who cares? 

Shame and pain, why do I feel it? I ask myself, and I ask Life…-Maybe it is showing me a better way of loving and living life to the fullest? Maybe it is the price of loving someone.

I used to feel guilty for loving. (How sad is that!) Now I know that my heart is capable of more love and joy then I ever imagined. I am grateful for love, even when the price is heartache. I have also learned that I can survive more pain and sorrow than I thought possible. 

I know I could have done things better. I have felt shame and regret. But I choos to forgive myself…believing that Someone has forgiven me. When hard emotions come, consider their source. Ask if they have any validity. If not; “I hear you but No More!” can be your respons. And you may have to say it more than once!

Never feel guilty over joy…I don’t believe we help anyone by cutting joy out. Joy and empathy can co-exist.

Joy is a gift.

P.S. As an artist I get to name my art 🙂  This one I named JOY