“Our most natural state is Joy “ – Deepak Chopra
I hope you had a Happy 4th of July!
I always look forward to the month of July and all the joy it brings. Everything feels lighter, brighter and more relaxed this month. The weather is great, nature is in full bloom, and everyone is enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family and friends. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could bottle up the feeling of joy and maintain it all year long? Actually, we can.
Joy is our natural state. Did you know that? It’s true. And as the element of Fire teaches us this season, connecting to what brings you joy and sharing it with others is one of the things summer is all about. Fire rules the heart and connects us to the feelings of joy that ignite our passions and bring meaning and purpose to our lives. When fire is in balance, we feel connected, enthusiastic, joyful and courageous. When it is not in balance, we have fallen out of alignment with what the heart knows to be true. It can cause us to feel stressed, anxious, depressed or alone. Aligning to what makes you feel joyful is therefore so important and has enormously positive effect on your health and wellbeing.
There is an interesting distinction between what makes us happy and what brings us joy. While in many ways synonymous, happiness is something we experience outwardly and is dependent on external circumstances. Joy is an inner feeling that is expressed through the heart and grows stronger when shared. We pursue happiness, but choose joy.
Here are five simple activities you can try that support feelings of joy:
Laughter – When was the last time you really had a really good laugh?
Dance – Turn up the music and dance – its always fun!
Socialize – Spend more time with friends, host a party, or go out, meeting new people can bring more joy to your life
Connect to you heart– Ask it what you need to bring more joy to your life
Spend time in nature with your animals – They bring so much joy to our lives
With all the challenges life can bring, reminding yourself that your natural state is joy can make all the difference in the perspective you choose to hold. As Goldie Hawn once said, “We are born with seeds of joy; it’s up to us to nurture it.”
Here is to a joy-filled month of July!
In wellbeing,
Betsy