The Power of Joy and Laughter

      

By Barbara Berger

Barbara Berger   Even in these challenging times, the power of joy and laughter is still available to all of us. Why is this important to know? Because Exaltation is a magnet for all Good. Did you know that? That exaltation or high energy states are a magnet for all Good you seek. Yes… Exaltation and other high energy states are truly magnetic when it comes to attracting the Good that you seek. Which is really something worth thinking about.    Because once we have metabolized this concept, once we get it, really get it, we won't ever be the same again. Because joy and laughter, exaltation, elation, exhilaration, rapture, enthusiasm, passion, bliss and gratitude are all states of mind which attract every Good thing in this universe.    If you don’t believe this, try this: Make a mental note of when Good things happen to you and you will discover they happen when you're in an elevated state of mind. And extraordinary things happen when you're in a truly joyful or exalted state of mind—or in love…    If you still don't believe me... just notice when the phone rings, for starters. There are no coincidences in this Universe. Which means that when you're down in the dumps, the complainers never fail to call. But as soon as your mood picks up, somebody happy calls to tell you some good news.    Now why is it like this?    Because like attracts like and Life is a Mind Game.    Which is also why our present situation almost always reflects our dominant state of mind.   Keep On the Beam Thus, to have a wonderful life, to be a great success at whatever we're doing whether it's washing windows, working in a supermarket, or managing a mega-company, all we have to do is keep on the beam. And by keeping on the beam, I mean keeping our mental energy high.    And high states of mental energy include all the praiseful, exalted and grateful states of mind mentioned above including joy and laughter... not to mention love and kindness, compassion, delight and happiness. In short: All of the wonderful deep feelings and emotions that make living a joy.    Compared to keeping our mental energy high, everything else is of minor importance.    So if this is so important, how can we keep our energy high?   The Law of Substitution The great Law of Substitution can help us.    Since each one of us is the Choice-Maker in our minds, this means that we are the only thinkers in our minds and we can choose what to focus our attention on. So whenever we find ourselves thinking thoughts that lower our energy (for example thoughts that are critical, angry, negative, depressing or fearful), we can consciously choose to replace these low-energy thoughts immediately with more positive, high energy thoughts.  That’s what the Law of Substitution is all about. It’s about learning to be aware of our thoughts and then to replace those thoughts which do not serve us with more positive and constructive thoughts.        In this connection, it’s important to remember that when we tell ourselves to stop thinking negative thoughts, we’re trying to do the impossible. Because the mind doesn't work that way. The mind always has to have something to chew on. And when we say to ourselves not to think about this negative thing, what we are really doing is thinking even more about this thing we don’t want to think about. Which only magnifies (focuses more energy on) this negative mental state.    But the Law of Substitution tells us that we can get rid of our negative thoughts and negative energy states by thinking about something else, in other words, by shifting our attention to something completely different. So as soon as we catch ourselves thinking negatively, we must learn to switch as fast as possible to other, more positive thoughts. In other words, substitute another thought for the negative thought that’s bothering you as fast as you can.   Do Whatever It Takes! So think about the great fun you had at the beach with your Aunt Mathilde when you were seven years old. Think about how great you're going to look in the new jeans you bought online today. Watch your favorite film again! Or read an uplifting book, listen to some uplifting, upbeat music, call a friend who you know will cheer you up—just do something, anything to substitute a positive thought, a bright happy mental picture, for the negative one that's bothering you.    If your state of mind is really negative and you are having difficulty substituting positive thoughts for your negative ones, be active. Go for a long, heart-thumping run, go out dancing, go cycling, or take a swim in the ice cold sea. In short: Do whatever it takes to relax, forget and shift your focus from whatever is bringing your energy down to something bright and happy.   Is This Brainwashing? People sometimes ask me: Is this brainwashing?    And I say: Yes of course it is!    And I also say: If we don't control our minds, if we are not the Choice-Maker in our lives, someone else is sure to be.    Our minds are picking up messages, are being programmed, all the time, every minute of the day—and have been since the moment we were born.    We have all been brainwashed (programmed) by our parents, by our families, by our society and school and our peers and the media. There isn’t a person alive on the planet today who hasn't been subjected to massive amounts of brainwashing. And just because society calls it "education", doesn't mean it's not brainwashing.    So I figure that if anybody's going to program or brainwash my brain, it better be me!   ­­­­_____   About Barbara Berger American-born Barbara Berger is the best-selling author of “The Road to Power – Fast Food for the Soul” (published in 30 languages), “Are You Happy Now? 10 Ways to Live a Happy Life” (published in 21 languages) and “The Awakening Human Being – A Guide to the Power of Mind”. Barbara's latest book is "Find and Follow Your Inner Compass – Instant Guidance in an Age of Information Overload". Barbara also works as coach and therapist, helping people around the globe come into alignment with their own true power. For more about Barbara see her Web site: http://www.beamteam.com ** Below are titles & links to the beautiful work from Barbara. She is a long time contributor and my dear friend :) **     mysticlivingtoday.com – articles by Barbara Berger   The Ultimate Self-Empowerment Tool – Your Inner Compass http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2087    The Key to Happiness; Understanding the Way the Mind Works http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2113   Who would you be if you didn’t know your age? http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2147   The Power of Right Seeing http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2177   Review of Barbara Berger’s book Find and Follow Your Inner Compass by Riki Frahmann http://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2184   Are You Here Now? Are You Happy Now? https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2247   Discovering Who You Really Are https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2284   Getting in Touch with Your Heart https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2299   Follow Your Passion & Accept the Consequences https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2324   The Power of the Joyful Giver https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2359   You have nothing to deal with but your own thoughts https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2374   Radio show http://www.blogtalkradio.com/starzcast/2018/09/26/natalie-interviews-barbara-berger--author-on-self-empowerment   Peace Is Your Nature https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2398   The Power of Contemplating Love https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2423   How Can We Serve? https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2452   The Importance of Mind Management https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2472   Focus on the Real – A Way of Dealing with Worry and Catastrophic Thinking https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2499   Nothing External Can Disturb Us https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2527   Just Let Everything Be! https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2548   The Gift of Crisis https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2563   The Power of Asking for Help https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2592&fbclid=IwAR1ZK91thdusdkQTdqu0fHXgarR7Ghv7rmAjR6NypUUfLh2wv1ozLLi-HjU   What does it mean to be psychologically mature? https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2625   The Meaning of Life https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2644   The Power of Praise & Blessing https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2682   Our Unalienable Rights https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2712   Meeting the Family & Keeping Your Peace of Mind https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2737   Healthy Boundaries – the Secret of Good Relationships https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2758   Healthy Parenting https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2777   Wanting What You Have https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2801   NOW IS THE TIME TO THINK POSITIVE https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2813   A Scientific Prayer to Lift Your Consciousness https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2828   Healthy Self Talk about the Body https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2850   Time Are Changing Aren’t They? https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2881   Are You Following Your Inner Compass? https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2904   What Happens When We Don't Listen to Our Inner Compass?   https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2920   Your Right to Be You https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2961   Doing the Right Thing https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=2992   Seeing Behind Impermanence https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3026   Opening Your Heart – A Prayer for the New Year https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3051   Welcome to the World of Starbrow and His Amazing Spiritual Adventures https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3050   Use This Simple, Effective Right Reaction Exercise to Tackle Stressful Moments   https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3084   No Healing Without Feeling https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3102   Happiness Is an Inside Job https://mysticlivingtoday.com/view_page.php?ID=3131