Eileen Campbell - The Womans Book of Joy: Listen to Your Heart, Live with Gratitude, and Find Your Bliss

Praise for The Woman's Book of Joy

This book is full of bite-sized treasures. Grab a cup of tea and let the affirmations sink in and nurture your soul. A comforting and life-affirming read.

Laura Berman Fortgang, author of The Little Book on Meaning and Living Your Best Life

Eileen Campbell has written a book of poignant truths that will help you remember who you really are and what you really want. Each chapter of this book is a powerful meditation that calms your nervous system and helps you reconnect with your grace.

Tama Kieves, bestselling author of This Time I Dance! Creating the Work You Love, Inspired & Unstoppable, and A Year Without Fear: 365 Days of Magnificence www.TamaKieves.com

The Woman's Book of Joy addresses ways our inherent capacity for joy can be dampened or even deep-sixed for a while. Thankfully, the book's helpful suggestions and affirmations give readers many guidelines for inviting joy to reign in their hearts again. I especially appreciate the author's reminders to be gentle with ourselves as we heal and move once again toward joy.

Sue Patton Thoele, author of The Courage to Be Yourself and The Woman's Book of Confidence

Eileen Campbell's beautiful book skillfully opens the door to every woman's trust.

Caitln Matthews, author of Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom and The Psychic Protection Handbook

The Woman's Book of Joy is a wonderful, intimate companion, to be cherished and to travel with you everywhere. It inspired me to stop, take a moment, and to re-think at all turns on my journey. Eileen Campbell is immensely self-aware, her voice vibrant and warm, and she shares her insights with thoughtfulness and, indeed, joy.

Belinda Budge, publisher

As a long-term explorer of the inner dimension, with a lifetime spent helping others navigate this often unfamiliar territory, Eileen Campbell brings personal experience and knowledge to this inspiring guide to finding inner joy. Anyone who reflects on the timeless wisdom offered in The Woman's Book of Joy and sincerely follows the practical advice provided will be rewarded with greater self- knowledge and deeper happiness.

Erica Brealey, Yoga teacher and author of The Spirit of Meditation, Meditation, Ten-Minute Stress Relief, and Ten-Minute Anti-Ageing

This edition first published in 2016 by Conari Press, an imprint of

Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC

With offices at:

65 Parker Street, Suite 7

Newburyport, MA 01950

www.redwheelweiser.com

Copyright 2016 by Eileen Campbell

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC. Reviewers may quote brief passages.

ISBN: 978-1-57324-670-5

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available upon request.

Cover design by Jim Warner

Cover art: Salvation (oil on panel), Campbell, Rebecca

Private Collection/Courtesy of Jonathan Cooper, Park Walk Gallery, London, Bridgeman Images

Interior by Deborah Dutton

Typeset in Weiss text and Mrs Eaves display

Printed in Canada

MAR

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Deep within us exists a vast reservoir of pure joy that we have all on occasion probably experienced, but that we're generally disconnected from, so that it's like we're tuned to the wrong station when trying to listen to a specific program on the radio.

We long for a harmony of life, work, and relationships, but we all inevitably have to grapple with difficult issues of one kind or another and often feel fragmented because of the contradictory tensions and distractions in our lives. In times of difficulty when fear or despair seem to overwhelm us, or when we feel inadequate, this reservoir is exactly what we need to access, for it can help us through our troubles.

We need to remind ourselves that it is always available to us no matter what is happening. When we're crippled by doubt and anxiety, we don't always think of turning inward for help. Loving arms, gentle words, and patient listening by family or friends can help enormously when they are available, but all too often we find ourselves alone in our crises. It's then that the inspiring words of others can help point us in the right directionto look within ourselves.

Many years ago, when I was consumed with pain and sadness, I began to keep a book of inspirational quotes. Every time I came across some uplifting words or something that resonated with how I was feeling, I jotted them down. I consequently found that whenever I felt low, just ten minutes or so of reading inspiring words helped me in my journey of understanding, and made me more able to bear what I was experiencing. I realized that through the process of healing, I was learning more about myself. I developed greater strength to weather future storms, and I also began to feel a sense of expansion, connecting with a power greater than myself. As a result I experienced feelings of real joy.

What I offer here comes from my own experience and what I've learned from others who have opened my eyes and inspired me. I hope to encourage women everywhere to feel that there is a way out of the despair they sometimes feel. We all have the capacity to heal ourselves. Using The Woman's Book of Joy, by reading and reflecting on a section and adopting an affirmation and working with it, we can begin the process of healing.

Although we can't always control what happens to us in life, we can choose to seek a different way of looking at things, and however difficult the situation, we find that things begin to change. Over time we come to realize just how precious this Source of joy is that we have deep within us. Accessing it, we can appreciate how strong we really are and can live more authentically, in touch with our true selves. We naturally become more loving because we feel more whole and are in tune with our purpose. We can be more confident about a future that is fulfilling and exciting, and find ourselves radiating joy to all those around us.

May your life be full of joy whatever the challenges you face!

To have courage for whatever comes in lifeeverything lies in that.

SAINT TERESA OF AVILA

It takes courage to be fully human, to wake up to life's possibilities, and to grow and mature. When we take a step from the known to the unknown, whether it's our first day at college, embarking on our career, or starting a new relationship, there's always a degree of trepidation amidst the excitement. It takes even greater courage to deal with the challenges that are part of everyone's life sooner or later.