As the pandemic has continued, I’ve found myself slipping back into old thought processes and feelings. Allowing my energy to drop into a depressed state. Sadly falling, once again, into negative thoughts and forgetting to protect my joy, or even to find a little. I had 5 days at Carlsbad beach recently and never once walked ON the beach, something that brings me joy and connects me with nature. I love the feel of the salt spray on my skin, hearing the birds call as I walk along the water’s edge, sometimes having to make a quick dash back away from the waves to keep from getting soaked to the waist. I usually do this at least 2 or 3 times but on this particular trip not once, nada.
Enough of that! Time to get back to what I know works, and what I know is that, when I feel happy my life works better. Also, I know from past practice that feeling happy is an inside job, the trick is to experience the joy. We all have at least 1 thing we do every day that brings us joy. I regularly do many things on my “joy” list. We just forget to soak it in, to actually experience the joy as joy. So today, I once again dedicate myself to two things 1) Watch my head trash – how much of my thinking is negative? Catch myself in the act and change the subject. 2) Do at least 1 thing on my joy list and actually experience the joy, everyday.
Is it time for you to make “ a list of 12 things that lights you up” and do at least 1 every day?
Here is mine:
Today I choose Joy
1. Eat Chocolate
2. Listen to music that makes me want to dance
3. Dance
4. Make quilts
5. Play with fabric
6. Watch old movie musicals
7. Cuddle
8. Sing
9. Dig in the dirt
10. Call a friend
11. Savor something delicious
12. Call it quits
I read somewhere that if you have had a regular practice of exercise, and you become fit, that if you stop exercising it will take less time for your body to get fit again, once you return to exercising, or something to that effect… not being a fitness person myself. A meandering walk around the block with my dogs is about the extent of MY exercise. However, I expect to achieve similar results with my “joy” exercises… that with a little focus and repetition I’ll be mentally and emotionally more fit, kicking my mental trash talk to the curb and be FEELING my joy once again.
I’d love to know what makes it onto your list!