Cultivating Joy
Being in Joy is our natural and harmonious state. True Joy is different than the transient joy that comes from momentary fulfillment of our ego's (personality self) desires. True Joy is when we connect and align with our Authentic Self, the 'higher' self, our Truth.
When we are operating from a place that is connected to our True Being we are able to stay in a blissful state of connection and joy, where we learn to return to again and again when we are destabilized by the conflicting emotions, chaos, and drama that are evident in our world. With increased strengthening of our Trust in our Inner and Authentic Self the chaos and outer world dramas diminish in their impact upon us, and we more easily remain in a state of Joy and Harmony.
Begin cultivating more Joy in your life today!
The key to Joy is aligning with your Authenticity, versus with what the ego (personality/mind self) wants. When we are true to ourselves we find greater and lasting happiness. Here we find Peace and Love- key ingredients in Joy!
Here are some ways you can align with and call in Joy!
Please comment on what brings you true Joy in the blog comments section- there are no wrong answers- and you may inspire yourself and someone else!
~ Gaze upon a photo of yourself as a young child, or perhaps draw a picture of your child self. Take the image and spend time noticing and seeing the young child. What did you look like, notice the innocence and beauty. You still are this young child. Ask yourself if you have been tender with yourself? Loving of yourself? Ask how you can serve this young child within? Journal for a bit on this if you feel safe to do so. Then after spending some time with this reflection ask your child self what you would like to do with her or him to bring joy into this day? What does your child love to do?! Children have a way of being in complete ecstatic joy in the moment, embrace what your child tells you and do it! You may surprise yourself.
~ Get out some colorful crayons, markers, paints, paper, glitter sticks, beads, string, or whatever is speaking. Just take a time out to do nothing but create for 30 minutes. You may not want to stop!
~ Connect with young children. Children teach us how to be in pure radiant joy. You may simply observe them at play, or spend time with your own children or others. Carry the intention to be completely present to the play, with no distractions from phones, computers, other adults, thoughts about the day or worries about the future. The goal is to stay in the NOW moment.
~ Complete the following sentence stem. Sentence stems are a great way to engage our inner knowing and our authentic heart center. Simply write the sentence stem on the top of a sheet of paper and fill in the blank. Do this as many times until you feel complete with the exercise.
A way now allow Joy into my life is______________________________________.
and then perhaps I know I am ready to claim Joy because____________________________.
~ Set a timer for a preset amount of time 30, 45, 60 minutes or dedicate an entire afternoon. Or start at 5 or 10 minutes if that is what you have. Don't watch the timer, don't look at any clocks. Hold the intention to stay present to your desires and wants in this FREE space. Allow yourself to be guided to activities and things you would truly like to do, that aren't work or guided by things you feel you 'should' be doing. You may move from one activity to another, move in and outside, whatever your heart calls to do in the name of free form play and engagement with yourself and world. Notice when the mind resists and wants to wander or interject. Smile when you catch the mind, say Thank You, and then re-immerse yourself in your free space.
~Gratitude. Being grateful is a sure way to cultivate more Joy! Create a gratitude journal, or spend some conscious time saying thank you for all you have. Bring gratitude into your days. The momentum gratitude brings lifts us into our Joy.