Joy Caffrey

Be Present

The best gift we
can give loved ones.

I had a dream last week of having a conversation with the Dali Llama. At one point he asked me, “what is the most important work you can do?” My first response was “I don’t know.” That made me nervous, and I thought I’d better come up with another answer. So I used the inclusive “and”. I started listing several ways I can serve humankind. I can do “this” and “this” and “this”…etc. He looked at me and said, “You’re thinking too much. Be Present.” At first I thought he meant I was thinking too much and needed to be present to find my answer, then as he was looking at me earnestly, I realized he meant the most important work I can do is to BE PRESENT.  How easily we forget. When I woke up, I remembered the e-mail I sent out last year with my holiday tips and figured the “Be present” reminder is useful for all of us wanting to be mindful.

Joy’s Holiday Tips

Choose pleasure over perfection.

When guests come over and we fret over having the table set just right or worry that they will see the cobweb we missed while cleaning, we remove ourselves from genuine connection. Give yourself permission to be imperfect, laugh at yourself, and know what your loved ones truly want is your attention.

Receiving with openness is as important as giving.

When an unexpected gift comes our way from a coworker or acquaintance, we don’t need to fall into guilt for not having a gift for them. Instead, choose presence as your gift in return and let yourself accept their thoughtfulness for you and open to the gratitude of being seen and appreciated. Accepting the gift offers connection and true celebration.

Keep it simple.

Gracious warmth shows through when we make eye contact and smile.

Stay nourished.

Stabilize mood swings with ample protein, additional acidophilus, and your Vitamin B’s. Remember the airplane drill: put your oxygen mask on first before tending to others. In the same way, especially during the holidays, tend to and nourish yourself on all levels.

Be Present

Your full presence is more appreciated than you realize. It is a wonderful gift to offer loved ones

Artisan Craft Fair

Joy, Serena, Melissa, and Tim have created
an assortment of delightful holiday gifts.
Guest artists Khalisa Kitz and Amy Eversole
will also be offering their creations.

December 6 and 7
Saturday 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday 1  – 5 p.m.

Enjoy soup, cider, and
holiday merriment!
at the Caffrey home
824 Rodgers Dr.
(2nd house on left)
479-442-7013

Recently I had a dream that has been deeply nurturing. The wisdom within the dream has prompted me to write. Let me know if any of the haikus land on you in a way that has meaning for you.

I am disciple.

The teacher lies within me.

One forms the other.

I’m learning to crawl,

propelling myself through words.

In my mouth they go.

Taking care of mind

I rock cranial cradle

Head first I fall in

Full incarnation

Is an ongoing process

No need to rush it

Oh rush it, I do

Self conscious of unconscious

Fierce drive to stand all

Does it matter if

I respond to the calling?

Who hears my answer?

As I wrote the above Haiku, the answer to my question came to me. It is the God reflected in you, in me, in each of us, that listens. We are all here to give witness to each other’s response to our calling. I recognize the absolute beauty in our individuation. I have compassion for the trials and tribulations we each face, as we seek to embody the authentic self, as we answer our calling. Each response unique.

Recent research suggest that Naval sonic blasts could be the cause of whales beaching themselves in the North Pacific Ocean. Like these misguided creatures, we too are bombarded with dramas, traumas and mundane distractions that set us off course. Finding our way back to a soulful path can be difficult

Joy Caffrey will use her gift of sounding heartsong into the body to realign your directional homing system to an inspired wholeness. For the first time this will be offered in Layfayette in a group setting. Join us on Friday evening to download the upgrade of your soul song.

A suggested gift of $20-$40 is appreciated.

Date: August 29

Location: 125 Dunreath, Lafayette, LA 70506

For more information and to register call Bessie Senette: 337-322-7560