I received an email recently from a former student of mine who graduated four years ago. Her words were overflowing with gratitude for the life changes she has made, both professionally and personally, due to words, she said, I’d spoken in lecture.
I remember Jessie of course, but I didn’t remember the words until she reminded me. She was grateful for this new life and attributed her success to me.
I reminded her of her own Orenda.
Orenda is an Iroquois concept, a belief that there is an extraordinary invisible spiritual energy running through all objects in nature. That includes every one of us, including you.
It means that within you is a magical force that allows you to bring your unique contribution to the world. We are all here to open up wide and share that gift. The ripple effect of it will remain unknown to us, but exists as certainly as an unseen wind moves leaves on a tree.
Your Orenda can be accessed to influence the outcomes of your life. you just need to tap in with pure intention.
And as we know intention doesn’t work in solitude. It must be coupled with action.
My words may have been a catalyst for Jessie’s action, but it was her own action that got her to where she wanted to be.
We have to do the thing. The what and how are up to us.
When we take action, inspired by external forces, is when the magic happens and where you find your joy.
What magic will you be making today?
This is the Journey to Joy series. Write a post about your joyful moment. Ping back or link your post in comments, and I’ll share it in my next Journey to Joy post. Let us inspire joy in the journey.
Not hard to imagine…your posts are always inspirational to me 😊.
Thank you Jan. Isn’t it wonderful that we inspire each other. Thank you! 💕
This is a beautiful post, Alegria. I had not previously known the Iroquois term “Orenda” for what I innately know to be true, so I love learning that. Thank you. 🙂 I’m late replying to this post, so, let me see… One piece of magic I made this past week was in a Christmas store. We bought our first large tree since before we began traveling. My heart was so joyful at the prospect of decorating my first tree in over two decades, I’m quite sure my energy affected a lady near me in the store. She spoke Spanish, and asked me what a little door decoration she held out said. The word was English, and I’m sure you will love this Alegria: It said JOY. 🙂 I was brimming with it, and I am certain she felt it.
What a great story Susan! I’m sure you told her the Spanish word for joy is Alegria. 😁 What fun!
And my dear, I can feel your Alegria at decorating your own Christmas tree. Two decades is a very long time, though I’m certain it has made this moment sweeter. And more magical.
Thanks for being here my friend. Wishing you all the joy you can handle. Plus a large dose of magic. 💕
I did indeed tell her, and of course it made me think of you, Alegria. And I smiled. 🙂
Love that Susan. Thank you for thinking of me. Muchas gracias amiga! 💕
The magic today was mostly social- coffee and chat following a t’ai chi session. Then a lunch I organised in honour of a lovely lady who always wears a smile, even though life has dealt her some hard knocks. This evening hopefully the magic will be in conjuring words for my next blog. Have a lovely week, Alegria.
That all sounds very magical Jo. Wishing you a lovely week too, filled with oodles of magic.
xx
I didn’t know anything about Orenda but as a teacher I also get gratitude from students which is very precious 🙏 I always try to give a beautiful smile to make my day special 💐
It’s such a joyful reward isn’t it Priti. The impact we have feels like a blessing. Thanks for spending time here with me. 🌸
💐
Oh, this is so good, Alegria. I’d never heard of Orenda before but the way you explain it is magical in and of itself. I love, “And as we know intention doesn’t work in solitude. It must be coupled with action.”
Thank goodness for all that you teach – for Jessie and for us!! Beautiful and extraordinary!
Thanks so much Wynne for appreciating the message. There is magic all around us. Many cultures acknowledge this, as do many scientists. Einstein was one. He talked often about God and nature, saying once, “Every one who is seriously involved in the pursuit of science becomes convinced that a spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe”.
Thanks for being here my friend. Have a beautiful Sunday. 💕
I like that Einstein quote! Have a beautiful Sunday too, my friend! <3 <3 <3
Notes of gratitude from former students are so special, you need to keep it in a file. You will enjoy looking back at them.
Thanks Frank! I do keep them and one day I will look back on them. Perhaps I’ll scrapbook them. Receiving these notes is one of the rewards of working with these amazing young people.
It sounds like you’re talking from experience. Am I right?
Thanks for being here Frank.
Here’s want I miss about teacher … positive interactions with positive people … but I don’t miss the excess baggage that comes with it
I completely understand. Thankfully I’m a part time professor so I mostly get the good parts. Thanks for sharing!
Wow, Alegria❤️ I am drawn in to your engaging words, and concepts that give me goosebumps. You describe well my personal philosophy in my life, yet I always need to remind myself to have the courage to ‘couple it with action.’ Also ‘…intention doesn’t work in solitude…’ resonated with me. I especially love your poetic sentence about the ripple effect.
Thank you for writing and sharing a thought- provoking post. Your student(s) are especially fortunate to have you in their lives. 💕Erica
Thanks so much my friend for your beautiful words. I’m so grateful to know my words resonated. That this is your personal philosophy doesn’t surprise me. Your writing and posts are always filled with joyful energy.
Thanks Erica for being here and leaving your heartfelt message. 💕
Oh. “We have to do the thing”. And this? …”intention doesn’t work in solitude. It must be coupled with action”. Wow. The concept of Orenda is new to me and I love it. I’m still trying to piece together some bits of ancestry that point to my Iroquois and Shawnee blood line, and you’ve given me a powerful, super spiritual reason to explore. What a delight to hear from a former student. You’re making magic with your students, dear Alegria. Thank you for sharing with us. 💕💕💕
What lovely words Vicki. Thank you!!! Please do tap in to your roots and the spiritual you. You have so so much to offer and you’ve already given so much. Always amazed by you!
Love and hugs my friend. 🤗 💕
Right back to you…I love being in your orbit. You inspire and encourage and I’m grateful, grateful! xoxoxo! 🥰🥰🥰
I feel exactly the same! 🥰💕
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