Choosing Joy
#2: Egypt
By Roger Wyer
And
Joyce S. Kaye
Published by Spirit-Works Enterprises at Smashwords
Copyright 2011
Learn more about Roger Wyer at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/RogerWyer
Roger and Joyce's Related Blogs and Websites:
www.ChoosingJoyForYourWedding.com
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Contents
What’s Joyful About A Revolution?
What’s Joyful About A Revolution?
In recent days, we have shared with the people of Egypt a beautiful revolution – one born in frustration and evolving into peace. This is the model we all yearn to follow in our individual lives, in our families, in our communities. We watched it unfold in real time, with full color and sound. I did not stand in Tahrir Square, but at some moments in the unfolding drama, I almost felt I was there.
As you read, please think about revolution on all levels, beginning inside you, as you cast aside beliefs that no longer serve you; as you put down thoughts and feelings that rob your peace. See if you can feel, really feel, what our Egyptian brothers and sisters felt there in the square. See if you can connect with their joy. They have given all of us a great gift. Let us receive it joyfully, fully, into our hearts and minds.
What’s joyful about a revolution? Plenty! Here’s our list:
Freedom
“Sweet” is the word that describes freedom. After thirty years of emergency law, Egyptians claimed their freedom. The reclaimed their right to think whatever they choose to think.
“Freedom” means the ability to choose without coercion – where there are truly beneficial choices. Our brothers and sisters in Egypt earned their freedom to choose their collective future free of coercion.
One voice
The chanting in the square was powerful – so powerful we could hear a single voice ringing out throughout the county. The repeated chanting by many voices gently moved a government out of its way. Egyptians, we loved hearing your voice!
And by the way, your voice rang through the entire world and will continue ringing through history. Make a joyful noise!
Rising above
At every seeming turn of events, the crowd took the high road. We’re used to crowds deteriorating rapidly into mobs. Every effort was made to turn this crowd into a mob. And it never turned.
In the face of every sort of violence, the crowd chose peace. For this, the world is grateful. Choosing peace is the road to joy.
Absence of fear
Facing great uncertainty, violence, imprisonment, torture, and death, Egyptians set aside their fear. Showing fear would have turned the crowd into easy prey for those well-equipped to respond with force.
When fear is gone, only love remains. This love forms the foundation for the coming Egypt.
Choice
Over and over again Egyptians were faced with a single choice: security or freedom. Over and over again they exercised their choice for freedom. Making this choice repeatedly, in the face of every challenge, ingrains deeply the joy of choosing – and the power of choosing.
Being the change
Our Egyptian brothers and sisters asked for peace and for respect. In their every action, they showed up as peace and respect. They asked for a government of the people. Day in and day out, they governed themselves, rejecting all leaders and special interest groups.
Twice each day they prayed together. No matter what was going on in the situation surrounding them, they stopped and prayed. They demonstrated by their actions the change they want in their world.
Egyptians did not succeed because of tactics or force; they won they day by supporting each other in being who they truly are.
Planetary support
Everywhere around us, people spoke about “our brothers and sisters in Egypt.” We have never heard this kind of language around here. Every day we checked in frequently to see how our brothers and sisters were holding up. And we prayed for them.
We see how we are just like them – we feel it. We sent them our support for the good of our evolving planetary community. We believe they knew they were not alone.
How joyful it is to be fully connected to the planet!
Drawing the line
It’s a joyful day when you finally say “Enough – I will be pushed no further.” Then things change. Priorities change. Choices change. Things get a lot clearer.
When the people said they would not go home until the president resigned, the line was clearly drawn. There is much power here.
A new world
Egyptians released their attachment to an old world that did not work. They gave up the myth of security for the uncertainty of a new world. They chose freedom so they can create that new world themselves. They did not exchange one dogma or set of rules for another – they set the old world down in order to become the new world they will create. That’s a fresh feeling charged with excitement and hope.
Responding to challenge
As we watched from a distance, trick after trick was tried against the people. In some moments, we wondered if their resilience and determination would hold. And then, news would come that our brothers and sisters had responded again. In the end, no one could doubt their ability to respond to any challenge firmly, consistently, and absolutely.
This is responsibility – the ability to respond. We watched the peace card trump every trick. Wow – that’s a joyful experience!
Helping each other
We loved watching videos of Christians protecting Muslims during their daily prayers. We loved reading about the respect between the people and the army. We know thousands of people cannot survive in tight quarters without helping each other with a thousand needs. There’s joy in service – service to our fellow humans and service to a cause.
One people
No attempt to divide the Egyptian people seemed to gain much traction at all. Religion did not divide them. Appeals to their economic interests did not divide them. Playing youth off against older adults did not divide them. Age-old dividing by gender did not work. The Egyptians truly are one people. It’s a joy to feel at one with your tribe!
We wonder if you have ever experienced that feeling. Can you recall a moment when you felt one with your brothers and sisters?
Standing together
We’re sure almost every participant in the revolution experienced moments of doubt and fear. We’re sure we would. Somehow though, by standing, and praying, together shoulder to shoulder, they overcame these moments of weakness. Standing together allows us to share the strength of our brothers and sisters. It’s a joyful feeling to look to either side and feel this strength and to feel it flowing through you.
Taking a stand
What do you stand for? We know what Egyptians stand for – freedom to choose – freedom before security – freedom as a road to security. Taking our own stand gives us power. Too often we can find ourselves blowing in the breeze, our ideas and attitudes shaped by our situations.
Taking a stand means that, regardless of the situation, we are clear about what we believe. And, our actions are fully congruent with our beliefs. Because we chose them!
Connection
Above all, we humans seek connection. The revolution connected people. Please pause a moment now and feel your connection to all your brothers and sisters. Feel deeply that we are one – bound by ties so ancient and strong we may never fully understand them. Feel your brothers and sisters standing beside you – in form and in spirit. See us facing our common situation on this planet as one. Recognize that, at our core, we believe the same beliefs and desire the same desires. Feel us coming together each moment.
Act as one
And now, as we awaken to our oneness, let us act as one. Let us thank our Egyptian brothers and sisters for showing the way. Let us rejoice in this coming together in a spirit of peace to co-create a world rightly ruled by love. Let us choose freedom over security. Let us make our stand today. And let us experience the joy that is ours by divine right!
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End Stuff
Thank-you to readers
Thank you for choosing and reading this e-book! And more importantly, thank you for your commitment to choosing joy. Your intentions and actions along the road to awakening make vital contributions to the world. These contributions cannot be measured and may never be fully understood by you or me. Blessings to you!
Remember that you are never alone.
See you on The Road!
Roger and Joyce
About the Authors
Roger Wyer
Roger Wyer discovered his personal mission inscribed by his Sunday school teacher on the inside of the Bible he received in fourth grade: “Let your light so shine before men that they will see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” He’s been learning about and practicing this mission ever since.
Rog is a writer, teacher, and speaker – one known in ancient times as “scribe.” His first book is entitled “Choosing Joy at Work.” Rog is engaged in an all-in experiment in faith, in which every action is guided by Spirit.
Rog is a researcher by nature, and a systems guy by bent, so he was always trying to figure out how things work and how to get them to work more effectively – until he gave it all over to Spirit. His years devoted to generating meaningful conversations and his training as a teacher make him well-suited to developing and sharing healing knowledge.
While working in landscape design and installation, Rog realized he’s part tree. He’s fully embraced a gift from Nature – a new gardening paradigm – and the calling to share it. He’s laying out this new paradigm on his website GardeningWithNature.org.
As co-founder and partner in BizWorks Studio, Rog expresses joy through working with nonprofit organizations to help build strong volunteer programs.
Joyce Kaye
As The Computer Spirit, and founder of Spirit-Works Enterprises, Joyce provides computer coaching, publishes beautiful e-newsletters to help clients reach out to their community, and creates a practical array of online and hardcopy marketing materials. She is a Certified Microsoft® Office Specialist and co-author of Labyrinth Publications’ “Microsoft® Outlook 2003 Essentials” book.
Joyce earned her Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University in New York City, and as an ordained non-denominational minister, she provides support to clients through wedding coaching and serving as a wedding celebrant..
Joyce has served in both public and private sectors for more than twenty years. Her tenure in the transportation and financial industries includes experience in operations, staff training, customer service, business planning, statistical analysis, credit analysis, database design, and contract administration. Joyce served as an adjunct faculty member at Santa Fe Community College, where she became known as “The Computer Therapist.”
Roger and Joyce
Roger and Joyce were married in February 2005, after meeting on Match.com and a subsequent flurry of joyful emails. Those in attendance at their wedding still remark about the almost tangible feeling of joy in the room during the ceremony and reception. Since then, they multiply their joy by sharing serving as wedding coaches and celebrants.
Connect with the Authors
Connect with Rog Online
On Linkedin
Rog’s blog at: http://bizworksstudio.com/blog-page/
Rog's blog at: http://rogerwyer.com/
Rog's blog at Heal-Life.org: http://heal-life.org/?page_id=16
Rog's blog at Gardening With Nature: http://gardeningwithnature.org/?page_id=69
Connect with Joyce online:
On Linkedin
Joyce’s blog at: http://joyceskaye.com/