Cover Artist: Pira Melody
Title: Bliss
Contact: www.junglepixel.com

Feature Article

There are eight things we as human beings need to survive and thrive. If any of these are missing or deficient, then ill health in forms either chronic or acute, physical or mental, will arise. These eight things are:

1) Good food to eat

2) Clean water to drink

3) Clear air to breathe

4) A place to call home to provide us with shelter and safety

5) Clothes to wear

6) Human relationships to provide us with touch, connection and belonging

7) A sense of Spirituality to give us context and purpose for our lives

8) And Pleasure.

If the first seven are the black and white foundational building blocks of our existence, the eighth – Pleasure, is the palate that fills them with vibrant colours. Having pleasure in your life is what moves you from mere existence, to joy-filled experience. Increasing your experience of pleasure in your life boosts the immune system, increases levels of stamina and endurance, decreases incidence of anxiety and depression, and improves your overall health and wellbeing. Pleasure is simply the fertiliser that makes life fun.

Pleasure is a basic human right of every person, yet so many of us feel guilt and shame just at the thought of allowing ourselves pleasure. We set up rules, regulations and stipulations of our experiences of pleasure. So often, especially for those of us with families, the internal reasoning goes something like this:

‘When the kids are happy, and my partner’s happy, and I’ve taken care of everyone else’s needs –then I can do something for myself. But nothing too much, I don’t want to be greedy or selfish’. And then if you do do something for yourself, so often the guilt chews away at the pleasure, that you either wildly overcompensate doing things for others, or you get overly defensive and bite your kid’s or partner’s head off when they next speak to you.

It is so important to have the realisation that you deserve pleasure. You deserve unlimited, unbridled pleasure in all moments of your life: Pleasure in eating delicious, nutritious food; Pleasure in the joy of drinking a thirst quenching glass of pure, clean water; Pleasure in taking in each and every lung filling breath of air; Pleasure in creating, decorating and being in your home; Pleasure in the way you dress in your clothes to express the unique individual beauty of who you are; Pleasure in your experience of physical and emotional intimacy and connection with others; Pleasure in your relationship with the Divine (whatever you perceive that to be) and knowing you have a place and purpose in Life; and Pleasure in each new experience of Pleasure as it enriches each moment of your life. Pleasure is not one particular thing, it is the state of mind you have when doing any particular thing – and it is wildly, and unbelievably empowering.

And to be able to be in a state of pleasure whenever you do any particular thing, you need to know that you, and you alone, are responsible for allowing or withholding that Pleasure in your life. It is time to let your partner, kids, family and friends off the hook. They are not responsible for your pleasure. You are. If there is something you need or want, be brave enough to ask for it. Ask for it nicely. Ask knowing you are worthy of it. No one can read your mind. And if you are in a situation at work or in a relationship that doesn’t allow you pleasure, do some spring cleaning, it’s not honouring you or anyone else to stay there.

Put Pleasure on your ‘to-do list’ for the day, along with the other essentials like cleaning your teeth and getting to work on time. Play with your kids or your pets or your partner, and let yourself laugh like a child. Pamper yourself simply because you want to. It doesn’t have to cost you money, but if it does, know that it is money well invested. You don’t get to be happy after you’ve taken care of everyone else’s needs around you and made them happy – because all that happens is that you end up resenting those closest to you for your lack of happiness, and they become unhappy, and so you stay unhappy, and the resentment grows and your relationships become toxic. You must take care of your own pleasure first, because then you become happy, and you are nice to be around, and so others are happy just to be in your presence. Then you can do things for others just for the pure pleasure of it, not because you need anything in return, but because you already have all you need. So throw yourself into the practice of pleasure with vigour. Every day remind yourself that you are worthy of pleasure, that pleasure is a primary need in your life and be committed to filling that need. It may take a lot of work to heal the old beliefs that limit your self-worth, the old conditionings from childhood, religious teachings, and family patterns, but you’ve really got nothing to lose, and so much exquisite pleasure to gain.

Amy Byrne is a Holistic Kinesiologist at Awakening Therapies, and co-facilitator of the ‘Pathway to Pleasure’ workshop for women. She can be contacted on 0402 759 726 or www.lifetree.com.au

Regular Article

Each moment for Willy Wagtail is a new moment of joyous celebration and dance. He is Australia’s master of presence, bathing in the beauty of the Creator’s energy. No matter where he is or what he is experiencing, Willy Wagtail always appears happy.

Black in colour with a white chest and white specks over his eyes, Willy Wagtail is a tiny symbol of joy. Standing approximately 100mm, you will be graced with his presence in most areas of this ancient continent. For such a tiny specimen, he displays an awesome presence. He eagerly dances and pivots his tail feathers back and forth, calling you to focus in the moment, mesmerising you to join him in his dance of joy, right here and right now!

Willy Wagtail appears fearless. Neither man nor beast bothers this jovial dancing bird. He happily runs up and down a bovine’s back snaring the insects that may sting or bite his host. He will dart between their massive feet to snatch up insects as they are flushed out in grazing pastures. If you take your family into the great outdoors, Willy will be there doing his happy dance, no matter where or when, he will offer you the gift of joy if you tune into his present moment.

Willy Wagtail skilfully constructs a tiny cup shaped nest to raise his family. He builds it from spider web and animal hair or anything fine and delicate that he discovers during his day. He will choose a sheltered place, under the cover of a veranda or perhaps on a bearer under your house. He may even choose to build on the backyard Hills Hoist and happily sail the breeze as he runs countless devoted errands to bring back insects that will feed his demanding fledglings.

It would be hard to perceive that any man could do harm to this tiny ambassador of happiness and presence. Willy has mastered the law of attraction; he understands what you fear most will be drawn to you in order to learn peace. “Have no fear and there will be nothing to fear,” he smiles. “Have joy and love in your heart and you will attract more joy and love.”

If the happy, chatty, feathered master, Willy Wagtail has come to your hand through the cards today, he is here to challenge you to find happiness. “I dare you to be happy and present no matter what your current circumstances,” is his message. “Bliss is this thing called life.”

Willy Wagtail asks you to consider whether you have what it takes to turn your life around? “It is not hard,” he says. “By pulling me from the pack it would seem that you do have what it takes! I present myself to those who wish to leave the shackles of unconscious actions, patterns and thoughts behind, to dance freely in happiness as I do.”

This earth walk is a gift to you from the Creator who offers you now the gift of happiness from Willy Wagtail. Dance as he dances with no reason at all. Willy Wagtail medicine asks you to remember that everything that happens has a purpose. Everything that is happening in this very moment is real, all else is an illusion. So it is only this moment that brings you your choice, the choice to respond with a fresh perspective or the choice to linger a little longer in past beliefs or illusions. “Now is the time,” wise Willy Wagtail chuckles. “Now is the time to choose happiness, to see the lesson in the moment and choose a new happier perspective. Remember that your cup is always half full.”

Willy Wagtail’s advice reminds you to radiate to others only that which you wish them to radiate back to you.

Perhaps there are aspects of your life at this time that you would wish were different. Willy Wagtail says, “It is in your power to make them so by changing your outlook. Search for the joy in every moment, do not be satisfied to feel only pain, search for the lesson in the moment and find the freedom and joy that comes with that choice. Draw on my purity of mind and body; trust me as I trust you. Watch for the myriad of miracles the Creator offers each day, in each moment, in each breath and choose happiness as your natural state.”

“This freedom is in your power to have right here, right now! Dance as I dance, shake your tail feather and play, always remember to play!” laughs Willy Wagtail. “Never lose sight of your purpose, your purpose is happiness.”

© Trevor O’Sullivan 2009 & Co-Author Susan Skyring
To purchase The Australian Wildlife Wisdom Cards visit www.wildlifewisdom.com
Readings with Susan visit www.metaphysicallyspeaking.com