Articles

AN INVITATION TO YOU

During the course of the next 40 days, starting from whenever you read this article, I invite you to take the sublime opportunity of looking for or creating moments that bring you joy.  When I think of joy, I think of absolute inner delight, contentment, peacefulness, and that “everything is right with the world” feeling. 

 

Here are some examples of moments that have brought me joy.

 

Today, when I saw that the snow was melting on the back deck of my house (it felt like Spring.)

When I went for a walk today with my daughter and our dog and the dog was palpably relieved that she could play in the snow for a long period of time without freezing her paws.

When I see couples in my office who have worked so hard to reconnect with each other and they do!

Any time I see an older couple holding hands.  Any time I see any couple holding hands actually!

When I watch people in coffee shops enjoying each other’s company through conversation.

When I watch people in coffee shops enjoying a cup of coffee and reading the newspaper.

When it’s warm enough to roll down the window in the car in winter.

When I go to live theatre and watch a play.

When I walk to work.

When I do something for my husband or kids (well young adults), that I know they will like or when they do something for me that they know I like.  

When my sister texts me a smiley face.

When I watch a movie with my family (with popcorn)

Cooking in the kitchen, while music is playing.

Watching people having fun. 

Listening to a great song.

When I can walk barefooted in the summer.

These are simple things.  Everyday things really.  What I know to be true is that all of these moments, and many more, bring me exquisite moments of sheer joy and contribute to my overall emotional well being.  When I am mindful of these moments or observations and experiences, and take notice, I appreciate the simplicity of these everyday experiences.  And, all feels right with the world. 

Again, I want to invite you to notice, or to create, these moments that will contribute to your overall emotional health and well being.  It is difficult to feel sad or depressed when you are uplifted by such moments.  And there are lots of them if you take notice.  And there are more to be had when you engage your imagination and create moments of joy. 

 

Stay open.  Be curious.  Have fun.

Namaste, Barbara