How Much Joy are You Experiencing?

When good things start happening to you, what do you do? Can you be with it and revel in your joy? Or is it short-lived and sabotaged by your mind’s self-doubt and criticism or your soft addictions?

What belief did you grow up with about joy? I learned that you get your work done first, then you can play. The play was mostly around partying and alcohol. But joy, pure joy and happiness, wasn’t really modeled for me. Work and being productive was a top value. This has led to an adult life of feeling compelled to succeed, to accomplish and do more. There’s an underlying belief that joy is elusive or must be earned. Joy is our divine right. It’s a connection to and celebration of the present moment. I’m rewriting my joy story.

Here are some tips to help you receive more joy:

Create Playful Mantras to Manifest - Aligning your thoughts with your desires is the first step to manifesting more joy, weight loss, contentment, a feeling of plenty of time, more money, etc. Rather than saying, “It’s going to be hard. It will take a lot of work or sacrifices,” make this playful and create your own ditties to reach your goals and be in a state of joy more often. Here are some thought starters:

• “Life is fun. I am free. In my pleasure is where I like to be.”

• “I have lots of time, each and every day, to accomplish my priorities in a joyful way.”

• “I eat the healthiest food, for my highest good and drop the weight while in a joyous mood.”

• “I make time to care for me, exercise, good food, sleep and green tea, creating a most
  joyful me.”

• “I have a wonderful business in a wonderful way, and provide wonderful service for wonderful pay.” – Florence Scovel Shinn (she is so cool – 1920′s metaphysician)

Uplift and “Yes” Others – When we share a new idea or a desire, we inspire one another to dream and go for it too. Next time you hear someone sharing a new idea, a possibility, a what-if….”yes” them and give them an uplift to go higher by acknowledging them with how creative they are, how they can do it, and what a genius they are. This is a gift of self-esteem, confidence and joy you can give another. Notice how good it feels to give…

Receive Compliments- Often we minimize compliments, in the name of humility, and don’t really absorb the joy that comes with an acknowledgment. Next time you get a compliment say this, “Yes it’s true. Thank you.” It may feel uncomfortable at first if you commonly deflect compliments. Keep practicing and begin to notice the joy and empowerment it gives you.

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone - Try new things. Like tango or burlesque – we are rewiring our brains with new skills and firing the joy, pleasure and excitement synapses.

Gratitude – Here’s your secret to a joy-filled life. Start noticing what you already have that’s good. Try this: Upon waking, before you open your eyes, think in your head, “I feel terrific, I feel terrific.” Repeat 4-5 times. Don’t worry if you don’t ‘feel’ it, just give it a chance to feel more natural by practicing daily. You are retraining your brain. Next, while you your eyes are still closed, start saying in your mind what you are thankful for in your immediate surroundings. e.g. “I’m so grateful for this comfortable bed, these soft sheets, these wonderful pillows. I love the sounds of the birds outside. I’m so thankful that’s it’s raining or sunny today. I’m so lucky to have such a sweet dog/cat.” You can expand your appreciations from there. Check out this video to see how much joy there is when you take pleasure in what you do have.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how much joy do you experience every day? What would it take for you to take it up a notch? What behaviors would you need to change? What’s something adventurous or scary you’ve been considering? How could you get support to take the next step?

Food for Thought:

• “I am fun. I am free. I am who I want to be.” – Taylor Gaines

• One of the most responsible things you can do as an adult is to become more of a child.”
  - Wayne Dyer

• “When we are centered in joy, we attain our wisdom.” – Marianne Williamson

• “Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God.” – Robert Schuller

Contact Andrea to see how coaching is a great tool to assist you at nurturing yourself, creating pleasure and manifesting your goals. If you work at a company, Higher Ground’s Team Building Wellness Workshops inspire groups to create a healthy, satisfying and more productive work life.

See how others have made Coaching work for them. Call to schedule a complimentary, 30-minute sample coaching session or discuss a 6-week group workshop. (847) 971-3643 or email: andrea@hgcoaching.com