Watching young children play or perform inevitably seems to make us laugh or feel lighter even though they were not trying to make us laugh. They were just putting their heart and soul into what they were doing, being curious and sharing what made them feel good. This sparks a feeling of mirth in us as their enthusiasm touches our heart.
We can all find the fun and mirth in life simply by sharing what comes naturally to us. How much do you actively engage this natural talent you had as a child and enjoy yourself?
Sometimes it is hard to find joy under the pressures of everyday life. The influences in our environment may have taught us to curb our enthusiasm, or we feel pressure to conform, get ahead or ‘be the best’. We may start to doubt ourselves and hold back our natural instincts of enthusiasm and joy, losing sight of our first priority which is to be loyal to our true feelings.
The great news is that it is not hard to rekindle and expand our inner joy in our daily experiences. Here are some simple suggestions that may help:
Waking up:
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What is your first thought when you wake up in the morning? Is it curiosity or is it your to-do list?
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If your next thought is not joy, why not give yourself a break,and take a minute to find it and feel it?
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The first moment of the day is important as it will influence how you feel for the rest of your day.
Throughout the day:
- Be curious! It is easier and a lot more fun. Even daily routines offer adventure and something to learn if we are curious about them.
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Be clear about what you are doing and why you are doing it, no matter what you are involved in. This can help to change your attitude from, “I have to do this” to “I want to do this!”
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After you finish doing something, ask yourself these four simple questions:
- What did I accomplish?
- What did I learn?
- What did I enjoy?
- Is there anything I would do differently next time?
These simple questions can help you to bring out the joy and awareness of what you are getting from your experiences. Why not put these four questions on your fridge to remind you to make the most of everything you are involved in? If you apply this process in all your activities, you may find an abundance of joy.
At the end of the day:
- Take a few minutes before bed to relax and tune into all your experiences of joy that day. What you pay attention to will grow.
Just like a child at play, as you enjoy life more you will find that you shine like a beacon for others. Laughter and joy are infectious, which is why there is a lot of truth in the saying, “When you are happy, everyone around you is happy.”
