Joy in Her Heart

Helene Hadsell wrote this short blog post on June 29th, 2010.

“How do you attract all those ‘off the wall ‘ people?” my friend Ann asked.

I was conducting Friday evening discussion groups at my Center at the time. The topics ranged from current research on alternative healing techniques, books, movies, and TV programs that a member found interesting and wanted to share with us.

I never knew who would appear at these meetings. It was ‘ word of mouth,’ occasionally a regular brought a guest, and sometimes I would get a phone call out of the blue from a stranger that read or heard something about my self-awareness Center that is located in Alvarado, Texas. That’s how Kathleen came into my life. She called on a Thursday morning to “get to know you better,” in a high, scratchy voice that made me pull the phone away from my ear.

“Never heard of Alvarado,” she informed me. “But I’ve got to meet you. Is there a place close by where I can spend the night?” she asked after I told her that I was hosting a discussion group the next evening and that she was welcome to come. “There is a dormitory on my property for students,” I informed her. She accepted and told me she would be here by noon on Friday.

After I hung up the phone, I somehow knew that Kathleen would be an interesting study. And I wasn’t disappointed. The moment she walked through the door the following day, she took complete charge. She not only was in a Power Mode, she also had a Compulsive Disorder.

She carried a pouch with a small harp that never left her side. It was always handy when she bottled up too much “Joy in her Heart that had to be released,” as she explained.

The first occasion that I became aware of her ‘Joy’ was when we were sitting on the couch getting acquainted shortly after she arrived. In mid-sentence she suddenly reached over, pulled out the harp, stood up on her 5 foot 10 inch wiry frame, closed her eyes and began running her fingers over the strings. Suddenly she began belting out with a loud harsh resonance, “Hallelujah! Hallelujah!”

After repeating it five times, she opened her eyes, put the harp back in the pouch, and sat back down to continue our conversation in a normal fashion.

During the course of the afternoon, the ‘Joy in her heart’ was released several times. That evening, when the study group gathered, I had no time to explain the ‘compulsive disorder’ that Kathleen was compelled to release. I sat back and waited for her ‘moment on stage’ to surface. Ann was in charge of the program that evening. I introduced Kathleen and told them that she played the harp.

After about five minutes, while Ann was sharing information about a book she was reading, it happened. Kathleen stood up, harp in hand as she belted out her five Hallelujahs with gusto then sat back down. She looked at Ann, nodding her head as if prompting her to continue her discussion.

The entire group turned to me, looking for an explanation. I ignored them as I sat, trying to keep a straight face. It was during the break when Ann cornered me and demanded, “What was that all about?”

“She told me that she has so much joy in her heart, she had to release it,” I casually explained. “It’s your fault. You triggered something that set her off,” I added.

“Well, you could have at least warned me. I thought she was joking at first until I noticed how serious she was.”

“Haven’t I told you repeatedly that when you are around me to expect the unexpected, and that includes people.”

The reason I am sharing this experience with you today is because I got a call from Kathleen this morning. She reminded me that it has been seven years since we last had contact.

“I have so much to tell you,” she rattled on and on about her trip to Egypt and how she was writing her experiences and wanted me to read about it.

“Of course, you can come. I’m anxious to hear all about it,” I invited her, and she accepted. She will be here for the weekend. No, I didn’t ask her if she would bring her harp. I love surprises.

For you who know me are well aware that for me, ‘Life is Either a Daring Experience Or Nothing’ and it continues to also be ‘One Darn Thing After Another.”