Start Your Day by Choosing Joy

Joy could be the norm for each of us if we re-train ourselves to focus on the joys in life instead of our perceived woes. We all can uncover the daily joys in our day to day if we train ourselves to recognize them, honor them and as a result, will experience MORE!

Step 1:
Decide to choose joy.
When I wake up in the morning, I can choose to experience frustration, exhaustion, and anger when I have not gotten enough sleep, when I think about all I have to do today, and when I start listing all my perceived hurdles of what is going to happen in the next 8-10 hours. OR I can wake up and choose to be joyful because first of all, I'm blessed with another day on this earth, I have a beautiful son to hold and smile at me first thing when I rise, and I have coffee waiting for me as soon as I brew it!  See the difference? If you choose to focus on your sources of joy, your whole day can chance in a matter of seconds once you decide what you want to see.

Step 2:
Be the example.
Next, make it a goal to bring joy to the first person you see when you start your day. (Mine of course is my baby boy, and that is easy with a smile and some snuggles, he is immediately happy.) I'm talking more about the next adult you see. It's SO easy to immediately start complaining about SOMETHING. (My first inclination EVERYDAY is to complain to my friend who watches my son while I'm at work because more than likely, it was a rough night's sleep, or I get that dipping feeling of sadness just as I'm leaving my baby to head to work.) If I walk in to her house and immediately launch into negative talk, do you think she's going to feel energized? Do you think she's going to feel joy when I'm with her first thing every morning if all I do is vent? Absolutely not. Now there is definitely a time and place to vent, but first thing in the morning is a choice. If you choose that negative conversation, that is how both of your days will begin. Instead, try bringing a new, more vitalized energy into that space. Whether it's a family member, a friend, or your workplace, try starting with a positive message such as, "Wow, it's a beautiful morning," or "I'm so ready to tackle that project today," a simple "I love your outfit," or even a heartfelt "Good morning" with a big smile can go a long way and get the positive, joyous vibe moving in both of your directions. Give it a try. Let the first things that come out of your mouth be intended for positive movement in your day. Words are very important and so is the energy in which you present your thoughts.

Step 3:
Refocus when you find yourself on the dark side.
Okay, you woke up and chose joy. Your first encounter was a positive one. Here we are an hour later and you get an angry phone call from a customer, friend or family member that completely steals all your joy and brings you to a very negative state. This IS going to happen A LOT. You are constantly challenged with moments and events of conflict that could easily send you into a downward spiral. But not YOU. Not you today, anyway. Instead, recognize your dark thoughts. Take a few long deep breaths and acknowledge that this has changed your energy to an unproductive state. Then start to refocus your thoughts onto an image that softens you. (My best example is my son's face. In fact, my phone is loaded with images and videos of him, just in case I need a reminder on where I can find instant joy.) Take a few minutes to reclaim that inner state of joy by that image or thought. Let yourself breathe and smile back through the entrance of your inner peace. Once again, choose joy.

I hope these tips are helpful to you.

May joy fill you and be replenished throughout your day once you make that decision....

Sincerely,
Katherine Leigh

Finding Emotional and Spiritual Freedom

After many years of feeling chained to things I don't want to be chained to, I've come up with a list of ways to set yourself free on a daily basis that will clear up your head, your conscience, and your heart. Do I do all of these 100% of the time? Of course not. I'm human. We all fall into unhealthy patterns and behaviors. In my experience, here are ways to increase your freedom emotionally and spiritually to add joy to your daily being.

1. Stop Gossipping
Yeah, this is a hard one, because it's oh, so tempting to catch up on the latest and spill your guts especially if it's REALLY JUICY! (Did you hear who Jenny hooked UP WITH?) It can be totally tempting to unload all you know once the ball starts rolling in the gossip lane. The truth is, this sets you up to say something hurtful that could possibly get back to someone you care about or an innocent person, if given bad information. Then you must begin defending yourself or making excuses (waste of your time) as to why you were talking about this person if it gets back to them. Even if it doesn't get back to them, those around you will remember that you talk about other people and therefore, stop sharing private information with you. Instead of jumping on this bandwagon, next time try changing the topic, walking away or simply say you have nothing against this person and rather not talk about them. Which leads me to...

2. Defend the person not present.
It's SO easy to pile on the person unable to defend their actions or words when there is a group of people talking about them behind their back. Next time everyone is hating on Evan, stand up for him when he has no voice and suggest perhaps there is more to the story than we know. We shouldn't make a judgement call when we only know half of the story.

3. Don't lie
Period. When you don't lie, you don't ever have to endure the discomforts of living a lie, participating in a lie, or covering up your lies. When you come from a place of truth, your conscience is free. Perhaps you don't always say exactly the right thing or take the best action, but at least it comes from an honest place. People who lie are constantly working double time to remember their lies and act accordingly. It's exhausting and a waste of your energy.

4. Do it right now
Not later. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Take care of it now. Get it off of your plate. Procrastination can poison your present joy by obsessing about what you have to do later. Why not bang it out right now and get it over with? Get if off your to-do list if it's important. Stop putting it aside if it's something you can conquer with ease, especially if it is a nagging task.
You will feel so much better once that item is off of your mind for good.

5. Stop asking for opinions from others
This one is hard for the people pleasers and the indecisive. The truth is...ONLY YOU know what is best for you. ONLY YOU know what is best for your life. Don't let others dictate your decisions. This will result in you living out other people's desires and wants, which may not be applicable to your life's goals, ambitions, or needs whatsoever. Listen to YOU. Listen to that voice inside. Get quiet. Listen for it. Don't spend your time pleasing others and being miserable. All of the answers you seek are in you. Stop looking for the answers elsewhere.

When you free up your conscience, heart and mind, you have time to focus on the things that really matter. That kind of freedom is priceless.

Enjoy your freedom.

Sincerely,
Katherine Leigh