Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 3 Joy Quotes: How Does Practicing JOY Bring Order and Harmony Into Your Life? Also, Joy Contagious Lip-Syncing Cop Viral Video

From Denny:  Now if everyone in politics and every CEO in Big Business would read this, think how much people would quit hating their jobs, their bosses and their politicians!

Joyful X 2 Bathmat

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 3 Joy Quotes: How Does Practicing JOY Bring Order and Harmony Into Your Life? Also, Joy Contagious Lip-Syncing Cop Viral Video: From Denny:  Have you ever noticed that when you are filled with Joy that your whole world is suddenly harmonious and everything just falls into place?  Joy is contagious too.  When you feel good, everyone around you feels good too!

While not everyone is called to enter into the decades long rigorous training to become a mystic for the benefit of humanity, a lot can be learned and practiced in everyday life to better enjoy life's journey.  Practicing Joy is practicing healthy spirituality, regardless of religion or no specific religious preferences at all.

Joy is a central principle for the human spirit.  Joy sustains us through life's sorrows   and disappointments.  Joy acts as a counter balance while climbing out of depression or grief, dealing with past trauma and the ensuing PTSD, keeping us from sinking down further into negative emotions and thoughts.  Joy is important to safeguard not just our mental, emotional and spiritual health but it has a direct positive benefit upon our physical health too.

Adults often develop habits that steer away from Joy.  Babies laugh hundreds of times a day.  How much have you laughed out loud today?  How much have you laughed in the past month?  Do you find your world crumbling around you, feeling out of sorts and grumpy, thinking limiting thoughts, focused upon how little is going your way? ... read more

Joyful X 2 Padfolio

Inspire: Keep your Joy up and flowing to attract order and harmony into your life all year long!  
Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com - see what's new!  Thank you to those who are supporting this effort.  You rock!  

Proceeds go to Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (Louisiana) and to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital for all the awesome help they have given to the children of the Gulf Coast.  

Developing this online gift store is one of the ways of how I keep my Joy up, focusing upon creativity that creates proceeds for charities doing great work.

*** Joyful x 2 design found in the Denny Lyon Gifts store @ Cafe Press in these sections:  bedding, stationery and inspiration (plenty of style choices for women, men, baby and kid's t-shirts and hoodies.)

God Talked

From Denny:  Reflecting upon how a successful and happy long-term relationship began.

Crow Symbol Women's Footed Pajamas

Check out the spiritual messages from the crow when they visit: "think unorthodox, raise your perspective, destiny calling, speak your truth, walk your talk, pierce illusions, walk between worlds, trust your intuition, be fearless; adapt."

A Christmas Post: Christmas Story: Christmas Day in the Morning

A Christmas Post: Christmas Story: Christmas Day in the Morning: From Denny: As an American high school kid living in Taiwan I was introduced to the author Pearl S. Buck. She grew up as a Christian missionary kid in mainland China during the 1930's and was one of the very first Westerners to bridge the cultural gap between China and the West in understanding. Buck wrote a lot of stories, recommended by both the local Taiwanese and the Christian missionaries, and I read them all back then since there was no TV in English. I read a lot of books, even took to reading the Encyclopedias when I ran out of material! :)

While this author may be considered simplistic and out of fashion at the moment, she still deserves a read in my mind. Why? One of the subtle cultural nuances that crept into her writing was the Chinese sentence structure: extreme sheer simplicity. Sometimes, later generations who have not lived abroad fail to pick up those intense subtleties and so write off her writing, failing to realize they are missing an opportunity to get inside the head of Chinese culture by reading about the smallest things in Life written in a simple way.  Parents with teenagers will definitely appreciate this story.

Love Light Silver Oval Necklace

Let your love light shine!

* * *  Please support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  Thank you to all those who are supporting this cause.  You rock!

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Best Spiritual Posts: Step Out into the Unknown with Ease

Dr. Martin Luther King quote.
Best Spiritual Posts: Step Out into the Unknown with Ease: From Denny: This photo and quote reminds me of the ancient mystery schools where the spiritual path was taught over decades.

Students did not expect to learn spiritual principles in a few months of study. Students did not expect to interact with spiritual energy on the highest levels within a few years. Students did not expect to wield spiritual power until their egos were well disciplined, honed into perfect obedience to Spirit.

A true student of the spiritual path accepts early on that Life is truly a journey. This journey involves the unexpected and the unplanned. Life is not always as orderly as our emotions and left brain sense of the world would prefer. :)

In order to maintain our balance - or regain it quickly - it's important to root ourselves in the present - the Now - and not focus upon even what happened a few moments ago or what might happen in our future...

Just LOVE Women's All Over Print T-Shirt

2-sided design: Just LOVE is the shortest best message! More products like mugs, more t-shirts, pillows, stuffed animals, jewelry, keepsake boxes and blankets available in this  design.

Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  -  see what's new!  

Angels Bridge

*** If you like stories about real life angel experiences, then this is a must read!

From Denny:  Writing poetry is so perfect a medium to express this type of unusual experience.  Have you ever experienced some odd situations that afterward you realized were an angelic visitation?

It started out as a meeting in the grocery store when a strange old man started talking to me - and kept talking.  I went to the store for my weekly groceries and came away with so much more:  validation I was on the right track in life.

Angels often interact with us in the strangest of ways.  They first appear to be mundane and predictable until the awareness seeps in, that the meeting was so much more than at first glance.  Check out what this old man had to say.  Have you ever had similar odd experiences only to realize years later how special it was?

LOVE X 7 Jewelry Case

LOVE X 7 puts you in a good mood instantly

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Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Snowing The Perfect Balance

*** How is our life affected by our perceptions and which perception helps us bring everything into balance? 

Poems From A Spiritual Heart: Snowing The Perfect Balance: From Denny: The morning was so very perfect, enjoying the falling snow, cuddling into the silence snow brings, that it brought out a snow poem that I combined with the idea of how our perceptions affect our sense of Time. Sometimes, Time seems too slow when we are impatient; sometimes it goes too fast when we are afraid. Other moments we miss because of how we angle our emotions of frustration or sadness or even joy into our perception of how Time flows in our lives. This is my contribution to Valentine's Day. Read on to see why this is a poem about Love.

Beautiful Universe Business Card Case

Awesome astronomy design reveals the beauty of the cosmos

* * *  Support Warriors Pearl Foundation - contributing to fund efforts to help homeless female military veterans come home.  Visit Denny Lyon Gifts  @ CafePress.com  - see what's new!  

When The Angels Cry For Us

The Guardian Angel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How do we look to outside observers as we live our lives, especially those of us who do not grow, re-think our approach and change from our experiences?

What About Angels?

From Denny:  Humanity spends a lot of time agonizing over "what other people think" about them. What if we are observed by what we cannot physically see - yet sense on a deeper level?

What if angelic beings are real and just exist in a veiled close dimension of time but are not present in our exact time and space? How do you think they might perceive our daily lives and choices as they are witness to our time here on Earth?

Forever playing the "what if?" game - and other virtually useless mind wanderings I am prone to do like most writers and poets - came the following poem concerning humanity's free will.  How many people have you observed who, sadly, live like this? I've known far too many who keep recycling the same unproductive choices and often contemplated if they realize how they appear to those around them.

Love Light Square Compact Mirror

Let your love light shine!

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 5 Amazing Hope Quotes

Thank You cards @ http://www.cafepress.com/dennylyongifts.757042696

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 5 Amazing Hope Quotes: From Denny:  Hope.  We all know what it feels like when hope blooms deep inside our hearts.  We all enjoy it when our minds turn to thoughts of hope lifting us up when we need encouragement.

Considering the tragic shooting of 20 little children and their 6 teachers in Connecticut this month right before the Christmas holiday, the economy and job worries of Americans, Hope seems to be in short supply this season.

Here are a few quotes to jump start your Hope again and pull you out of feeling blue or full blown depressed.  Sometimes, Life can get overwhelming.  Good people often wonder if all they do in the world and for the people in it is really worth it because it appears on the outside that little has changed.  That's why it's good to have a few strategies tucked away in your pocket for just those tough times when you need to pull yourself out of a negative spiral and pump yourself back up with some inspiration.

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 227 Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs 1 August 2012

Dennys: News Politics Comedy Science Arts & Food: 227 Posts Roundup at Dennys Blogs 1 August 2012: From Denny:  With about 100 days until the 2012 election for a new President or a second term for President Obama, there is a lot stirring around in the news.  Both the Romney and Obama campaigns are working hard to influence opinion polls and the news coverage.

Somewhere along the way the truth has been buried.  Yet scandal after scandal emerges from the Obama administration while Romney stumbles with international gaffes.  All this explains why the polls reveal two-thirds of America thinks we are on the wrong track.

Funny Normal is Boring Organic Men's Fit Tee dk

Throw out your funny challenge of the day - Normal is Boring... Step Aside

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Poem From God

Even God has a sense of humor about how to handle repeated rejection. Take a look.

Love Gift

From Denny:  Have you ever thought about how your words can dramatically affect another person's view of themselves a hundred years  from now?  This poem is a recounting of an actual event in my life as it affected me deeply when I realized the incredible power of a small act of kindness.

Love Gift

Leaning on the door frame
I saw the birthday party hum.
People in perpetual motion,
Swirling in and out of the kitchen,
Dealing brightly colored paper plates
Like a deck of cards at a poker game,
Landing soft as a feather in front of the cake.
Melting ice cubes chinked as they carried the cups.
The conversation was full of giggles and loud laughs,
Little children running like yard cats circling the table.







The woman of the day celebrated 100 years of her life.
She sat at the head of the table drinking in the sights,
Smiling and nodding as she was kissed and given gifts
By excited relatives, friendly neighbors and well wishers.
She was happy to be so honored and respected.
There was a twinge of sadness hiding behind her smile.
I drifted toward her to offer my congratulations, and,
As I was invited to sit near her, she began to reminisce.
I sat back and just listened as she recounted her long life.
She spoke of history unfolding, family increasing, friends gone.
She seemed happy, settled and content, except for something missed.







I listened to more than her words; I listened deeper into her heart
And she offered up her troubling hurt from since birth.
She revealed in a hushed whisper she was born illegitimate.
Her father abandoned them, shaming her mother, never to return.
She said it was hard to grow up scorned by neighbors and family
And here she is now, all these years later, honored by their descendants.
She remarked how strange Life can be and felt good that times do change.
Yet the harsh memories still haunted; her family did not know her hurt.
She quickly fell silent, spent, and with searching eyes looked into mine.
She probed for acceptance, reassurance and words that felt right.







I held her gaze tenderly and said what I believed to be true.
She started to tremble, half afraid, half excited; she said she felt new.
I told her none of us can control how we come into this world.
What we can control is how we choose to live and love in this world.
Her voice quivered, as she wept next to me, while the party, like her, began to calm.
“For a life time I’ve craved to hear loving words that I was worthy.”
She settled back into her chair and straightened her shoulders with new pride.
Now the smile was genuine, her heart refreshed; she put down her burden to live.
To her family, her friends, her neighbors, the world: that was her Love Gift.



Denny Lyon
Copyright 14 May 2010
All Rights Reserved

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Photo Credits

Happy Birthday Cake by Omer Wazir @ flickr

Secret garden gate by ARendle @ flickr

Steps into the light by extranoise @ flickr

Water lilies in the light by tinyfroglet @ flickr

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 15 Best Christmas Quotes: Just What Is It About Christmas Time?

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 15 Best Christmas Quotes: Just What Is It About Christmas Time?: From Denny: At this time of the year, in the early winter, there slowly descends and rests upon the land a sense of spiritual calm and Peace.

Be aware not to get too caught up in the shopping sales, rushing about to finish last minute gifts and holiday preparations to miss noticing the biggest Gift. Take the time to absorb this special energy sent from Heaven.

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Poem: The Owl Speaks

From Denny:  Do you ever wake a couple of hours before dawn, deep in thought, only to hear the sounds of Nature speaking to you just outside your window?  Do you ever stop and concentrate upon the messages speaking all around you?  This poem is one of those times...

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: How Close Is God In Prayer?

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: How Close Is God In Prayer?: From Denny: This quote is really about All That Is larger than ourselves. Just when we think one power is so huge we discover there is a much larger Power living right inside us, ready for the asking.

Best Spiritual Posts: Music: Perfect Love Marys Song

Image via Wikipedia

Best Spiritual Posts: Music: Perfect Love Marys Song: From Denny: With the Thanksgiving holiday dominated by ads promoting shopping frenzies like on Black Friday I thought I'd post a contrast to remind us of "the reason for the season" - Jesus Christ. This is one powerful song and well edited video. It contains clips from the Passion of the Christ movie. Pull out a box of tissues because you are going to need it.

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: How Does Solitude Clear Our Perception?

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: How Does Solitude Clear Our Perception?: From Denny: Meditation and deep prayer is all about first quieting the monkeys of the mind - those daily "To Do" lists that crowd out deeper consideration of the thornier issues in life. We all know how imperative it is to go to a relaxing place in Nature to quiet our emotions from stress.

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Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 12 Funny Quotes About Prayer

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: 12 Funny Quotes About Prayer: From Denny: Prayer is a wonderful thing. It can bring us comfort, calm our fears and inspire us. It's also quite amusing to view it in terms of the human condition called "whining." There is also "bargaining." Once you grow past those two obvious pitfalls you discover "peaceful communion."

Primordial Dragon

From Denny: What is it with humanity's fascination with winged beings, be they angel or dragon? In an online writing group there was a challenge to write about dragons. What fun! Everyone wrote about dragons as evil vicious beasts as from the Western mythology.

Well, I spent most of my high school in Asia where the mythology is far different, Chinese mythology, that is. Come on; it seemed every time I turned around there was a street festival with the lion and dragon dances performed for good luck and prosperity!

Dennys Guest Bloggers: Travels to India: Experience of The Walking Meditation

Dennys Guest Bloggers: Travels to India: Experience of The Walking Meditation: From Denny: Check out this post of a woman's travel back to her ancestors' homeland in India. She and her husband decided to practice the meditation known as Vipassana. The concept is that by focusing upon every action in the moment you end up clearing your mind of clutter and worries.

It also can be quite tiring as you learn to focus that deeply for long periods of time. Trust me; you do get better at it. It's like exercising a muscle; the more you exercise the stronger you get.

This writer, Chaya Parmessur, recounts her new experience with good humor as she travels on her spiritual path.

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: What Is Your Daily Meditation Focus, How Do You Know You Succeeded In The World?

Beautiful Illustrated Quotations: What Is Your Daily Meditation Focus, How Do You Know You Succeeded In The World?: From Denny:  You awaken in the early morning.  What is your first thought?  Is it to get the coffee going so you can turn your brain on, chasing away the sleep cobwebs?  Is your first thought to start that To Do List in your head even before the sun rises?


Too often we fill our lives with "musts" and an endless stream of physical tasks all nagging for our attention.  Jumping to those demands can easily get us out of balance, stressed out and excessively tired.


Have you ever considered changing what you think about when you first open your eyes in the morning?  Know that you will get around to attending to your daily routine.  Things have to get done and they will - but are you giving yourself the gift of cherishing that first thought in your day?