Today is a day for reflecting on the theme of “Joy”. Because, just last night I learned of the passing of a dear friend to her next level of existence. Based on what she did for me, I’m absolutely certain that she will be awesome in her next life.

As I knew her in this life, everyone I knew called her Edie Fields. I have no idea what her real given name was – perhaps Edith? But one thing I can say for sure about Edie is that she personified having a positive outlook on life. During some of my darkest times while I was a Church of Scientology staff member, she was there to give me the courage to push through barriers and achieve things the St. Louis Org hadn’t seen in over 20 years.

She wasn’t alone in doing that, of course. One of her children, a daughter, and the daughter’s husband at the time I met them, were also huge positive influences in my growth as a person and a person of spiritual awareness.

So, to celebrate Edie’s influence on my life, I’d like to share 2 “joy” related quotes that I like.

“Find a place inside where there is joy, and the joy will burn out the pain.” – Joseph Campbell

“The bond that links your true family is not of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” – Richard Bach