3 Steps for Cultivating Joy
"Sorrow prepares you for joy.
It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter... Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place."
-Rumi
I appreciate this quote from Rumi for many reasons, one of which is the focus on non-permanence. Nothing lasts forever and even sorrow makes space for joy.
A lot of my work, both personally and professionally, has been learning to sit in the shadows; to face fear and expand tolerance for discomfort. Lately my work has been shifting toward joy (and no I'm not talking about the joy emoji although you could try it). Perhaps the reason for this shift in focus is all the joy in my puppy, the Deep Attunement Sessions I just offered, or perhaps it's all the Deepak Copra quotes saying, "What you pay attention to grows."
This practice has been supportive for those I work with and I wanted to share it with you in case you feel a similar pull toward joy.
2 Minute Tingle: take a moment to say an appreciative hello to every part of your body with your hands. Start at the top of your head and work to your feet, saying hello while your hands greet your body, like you're petting a cat. "Hello head, hello face, hello ears, hello neck," etc. Notice any judgement that shows up and let it go. This isn't about assessing worth or value, this is just a greeting.
More Attention: once you've reached your feet, check in and see if any area wants to be revisited with more of the same touch or a different kind of touch and offer that to whatever part of the body wanted it.
Take a moment to answer these 3 reflection questions:
What areas of your body wanted more touch and how did you feel that "yes" for more? Maybe there was warmth, or an ache of some kind. Maybe there was a tingling or sensation that just felt good.
When or where else in your life have you felt that sensation in your body? Notice where you were, who you were with, what you were doing.
What is one way you can invite that kind of experience/sensation in your life this week? Maybe it's incorporating more pauses into your day to breathe or giving yourself 5 minutes outside to feel the air on your face.
Bonus challenge: no matter where you are, ask yourself, "Where is the joy in this moment?"
