"right here, inside your heart" she whispered.
If you’re just starting our series, allow yourself a few minutes to begin here. Then, meet up with us here when you’re ready!
Where do you look for joy?
JOYFUL THOUGHT No. 2
"Joy comes from within. The seed is planted in my thoughts, and the harvest blooms in my heart."
When most of us survey our lives, we discover that joy is scarce. Particularly so for women, because joy has been displaced by daily stress, pressure in being all things to all people, work, house-work, mothering, wife-ing, cooking. After doing and being all this, we are often completely disconnected from what we feel—and we certainly don't know what makes us feel joyous. Most days we're happy just to get some sleep.
My days have been a whirlwind for what seems like the longest time, up at 6:30 and working in one capacity or the other until sometimes as late at 1-1:30 in the morning. I've recently been sleeping through my alarm, which only adds pressure to the morning routine for my girls and me. I believe my body is telling me, "it's time to take a break - refresh, renew and refuel." We cannot continue to run effectively on empty.
What really brings you joy? It's a simple question, but often not easy to answer.
Having more joy does not necessarily require a life overhaul—you may just need to create more space in your life for moments of joy. When my life and schedule become so demanding, as has been so recently, I need to take a step forward taking control of it, rather than it taking control of me.
I need to make sure I am getting what I need, so I have what's required of me to give to all the other areas of my life.
In color therapy, orange is the color of joy and happiness and symbolizes energy, balance, enthusiasm, warmth, vibrance, expansiveness, flamboyance, and demanding of attention. Does your personal joy demand your attention?
Creative Expression No. 2:
Right now grab your journal, an orange pen and at least a half hour for yourself. Ask yourself
Where do I look for joy?
What brings me joy?
When was the last time I experienced joy?
What do I believe about myself that could be robbing me of joy?
Feel free to print, cut & past this "I willl make time for JOY" tag into your journal and promise yourself to make time for JOY.
Our joy is right inside our heart - it's been there all along - we simply need to give it permission to bubble to the surface.
If you'ld like to play around with some collage work and create your own expression of joy, I used my Hello Beautiful scrapbook papers which may be purchsed in my etsy shop.
It's a gorgeous day here in L.A. - may yours be filled to the rim with joy!
xoxo
Terri
Hi Terri - My grandchildren are a great source of joy in my life. God has blessed abundantly through these precious gifts.
Posted by: Janet Wecker Frisch | October 01, 2010 at 04:49 AM
That's a very good question, Terri. For me, there are lots of things that bring me joy...depending on my awareness of it at the time I think. Sometimes just silence can be joyful, as simple as that.
Hugs and love,
Diane
Posted by: Diane Knott | September 30, 2010 at 07:53 PM