Joy is not just a feeling; it’s a strategy to jumpstart inspiration, creativity, and a wellspring of love in your life!
Here are 5 ways to invite the flow:
1. Name what you’re currently feeling. Bring a feeling of kind awareness. If you can't get to kind, that's okay. How about permissive? Open. Non-expectant. Non-rushed. Just allowing, an acceptance of what you're feeling? Let yourself be here. Right here, right now. Okay. Good.
With openness comes possibility. Can you allow for that?
2. Accept where you're at and see if there's space and room for all of your feeling. Notice it all. Blah is contracting. Openness creates space. Without pressure to create joy, think about what brings you comfort.
Negative feelings are not usually comfortable.
So, the first step, (as you now know from this list) is acceptance. Acceptance makes room for all experience. It's non-judgmental.
As an example of this, in creating this article, I tried to get the type of font and size to conform, and no matter what I did, it's half Helvetica and half Times, half big and half small. Sigh. It is what is. We are what we are, and yet, when we accept this, something else happens. We become larger, especially as we embrace these fragile and imperfect places in ourselves.
We all hope to be seen beyond our frustrations, imperfections, and meh-moods, don't we? ;) I hope you can see the intent, love, and purpose that went into this article even if it is, like me, imperfect. :)
Negative feelings are not usually comfortable.
So, the first step, (as you now know from this list) is acceptance. Acceptance makes room for all experience. It's non-judgmental.
As an example of this, in creating this article, I tried to get the type of font and size to conform, and no matter what I did, it's half Helvetica and half Times, half big and half small. Sigh. It is what is. We are what we are, and yet, when we accept this, something else happens. We become larger, especially as we embrace these fragile and imperfect places in ourselves.
We all hope to be seen beyond our frustrations, imperfections, and meh-moods, don't we? ;) I hope you can see the intent, love, and purpose that went into this article even if it is, like me, imperfect. :)
3. Remember a time when you felt comfort. Bringing this to mind helps bring it to heart and body. It actualizes it.
Focus on your belly, hips, and legs. Allow for a that feeling of being on a comfy sofa or lying on a comfortable bed. Notice what this inner experience of comfort is like right now while you're imagining it. You might notice that when you feel most comfortable, you are least aware of what others think. This is important. So, trust in that others are not focusing on you. Let yourself feel comfort from the inside -- from your inner experience.
Now, think: what small action could you take that would bring you the slightest amount of comfort? Even if it means shifting in your chair, or taking off your shoes, stretching, or focusing on your heart, Do it.
When we create comfort for ourselves, we're nurturing ourselves. It's like we're saying, "I'm worth it. I'm worthy of being cared for." This is the precursor to joy.
Focus on your belly, hips, and legs. Allow for a that feeling of being on a comfy sofa or lying on a comfortable bed. Notice what this inner experience of comfort is like right now while you're imagining it. You might notice that when you feel most comfortable, you are least aware of what others think. This is important. So, trust in that others are not focusing on you. Let yourself feel comfort from the inside -- from your inner experience.
Now, think: what small action could you take that would bring you the slightest amount of comfort? Even if it means shifting in your chair, or taking off your shoes, stretching, or focusing on your heart, Do it.
When we create comfort for ourselves, we're nurturing ourselves. It's like we're saying, "I'm worth it. I'm worthy of being cared for." This is the precursor to joy.
4. Create a list of activities which bring you joy. Joy comes without pressure. It is a delight from within. Joy comes from being in our bodies. We can't be in our hearts if we're not in our bodies.
Allow your senses to unfold and to inform what you put on the list. Joy brings an increase in energy. You might notice little sparks of that feeling in your chest or belly. You might notice a vague feeling of relief or pleasure. A feeling of hope, or possibility.
Think of this list as a running experiment, and choose activities or experiences that are either readily available to you or can be easily imagined without a sense of longing. (e.g. A cup of tea that you love over a trip to Hawaii that you can't go on).
Here's the secret: As we become more present and engaged, we become more capable of joy.
If you are not in your heart, you can't be in your joy!
If you are not in your heart, you can't be in your joy!
As you focus on what brings you joy, the list will grow. And, as you create the list, your joy can blossom.
So, ask yourself:
* What am I seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, etc as I experience this? Blend with the experience! Let yourself merge with it!
* What am I seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, etc as I experience this? Blend with the experience! Let yourself merge with it!
* Experience it as though you’ve never experienced it before.
* Imagine you’re writing a new story on it or describing it to people who’ve never experienced it.
Let yourself fill with wonder. Wonder is the foundation of joy.
5. String together experiences of joy. Add on another thing that brings you joy after you experience one thing on your list. Let the feeling in your chest or heart guide you.
When I was recently feeling blah, I thought about Cara Cara Oranges; they're this beautiful mixture of zingy grapefruit and sweet navel orange, and I accidentally discovered them, which brings me joy, too. As I thought of them, immediately, I started to feel hopeful. Then, I went in the kitchen and ate one, enjoying the bright flavor. Immediately, I tasted sweetness, and felt a little better. I fully took in the experience, the juiciness. I could feel a bit of warmth radiating in my chest.
Afterwards, as I contemplated feeling a bit better, I asked myself, what else brings me joy? And, I thought of my dog, Marley's silly face, drinking Yorkshire Gold tea with milk and stevia (which I promptly made), my partner, looking out at trees (and there are so many in my neighborhood), writing, and listening to reiki music.
Afterwards, as I contemplated feeling a bit better, I asked myself, what else brings me joy? And, I thought of my dog, Marley's silly face, drinking Yorkshire Gold tea with milk and stevia (which I promptly made), my partner, looking out at trees (and there are so many in my neighborhood), writing, and listening to reiki music.
When we string together joyful experiences, we are melding them in our bodies and our minds. This process even occurs on a neurological level, so that when you think and feel — most importantly — about this again, you’re strengthening neural pathways in your brain to experience joy!
What brings you comfort?
What brings you joy?
Is it hard to move towards comfort when you're in a blah mood?
What did you notice about your experience? If you'd like to share and are working on trusting your voice, I encourage you. I have no doubt, that if you put time and energy into sharing your true experience, others will benefit. :)
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Would you like to try an empowerment session? I am passionate about helping women embrace their authentic selves and step into their lives with joy, love and integrity. So, I offer a 30-minute free session, (as well as ongoing sessions, groups, and workshops) to help you be accountable to yourself as you step into the world with greater comfort, joy, presence, and trust in expressing your true self!
http://www.heatherschwartzpsyd.com
What brings you comfort?
What brings you joy?
Is it hard to move towards comfort when you're in a blah mood?
What did you notice about your experience? If you'd like to share and are working on trusting your voice, I encourage you. I have no doubt, that if you put time and energy into sharing your true experience, others will benefit. :)
****
Would you like to try an empowerment session? I am passionate about helping women embrace their authentic selves and step into their lives with joy, love and integrity. So, I offer a 30-minute free session, (as well as ongoing sessions, groups, and workshops) to help you be accountable to yourself as you step into the world with greater comfort, joy, presence, and trust in expressing your true self!
http://www.heatherschwartzpsyd.com
#mindfulness #positivepsychology #joy #kindness #presence #love #acceptance #transformation #authenticity
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Dr. Heather Schwartz is a life coach and psychologist in Portland, Oregon who offers mindfulness, energy healing, and intuitive guidance and specializes in helping soulful: expressive, heartfelt, caring women wake up to their inherent beauty, accept their imperfection, and move beyond fear into a place of transformative healing, hope, reciprocal connection, joyful expression, and love.
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