Late Night Chat with Jeff Wolverton: cheerfulness in stressful times, Sept 25, 2022, live on Zoom

We have some informal chat after every arti, the "post-arti party"! But twice a week, Jeff Wolverton joins us for some serious mining of the spiritual depths. Join us for spontaneous chat, more readings, songs, quotes, you never know what treasures will be uncovered!

Topic Cheerfulness in stressful times

Baba has said, “Be cheerful in word and deed and in appearance. Most of all in appearance. It helps others.”

Jesus has said, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

Again, great help from a dear friend of mine.

Bal Natu, one of the mandali, was fond of reminding those of us over-earnest ones that Baba wants us to ENJOY. Bal remained cheerful in spite of being almost continuously in poor health. Don't worry, be happy! Everyone agrees that this is Baba’s message.

Those words are beautiful and re-assuring, but the only thing is, what do we do when faced with challenges that exceed our capacities: the unexpected death of a child or significant other; watching helplesslessly as a loved one suffers a drawn-out painful illness; the inability to support your family; having others unfairly turn on you; failing to live up to your ideals; being misunderstood; feeling a nameless anxiety; even just feeling bereft and without energy, for no clear reason.

Is there a difference between happiness and joy? Is one deeper in the heart than the other? Is it possible to feel joy no matter what disturbing external or internal situation we face?

How do we live and remain detached? Will others mistake you for being callous if they see you being cheerful in the face of adversity?

Do you have a go-to way to express the "cheerfulness" that Baba calls for?

How do you balance being honest about what you're going through with wanting to fulfill Baba's request to remain cheerful at all times?

Isn't it being hypocritical to appear one way when your heart isn't in it?

Do you ever feel resentful with what you feel Baba is putting you through?

Is it okay to "fake it ‘til you make it?" Does that even work? What's your experience?

How do you respond when seeing what you feel is the phoniness of someone always wearing a relentless smile?

They say that helping someone else will do the trick. Tell us if that usually works for you.

How hard is it not to give into moodiness when focusing on disturbing issues?

If remembering Baba is your method of dealing with difficulties and crises, what do you do if it just doesn’t work?

Eruch used to talk about not ACTING cheerful, but BEING cheerful. What does that mean?

In His love, Jeff

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