Three Things You MUST DO to Feel Joyful


January 30, 2012

Things that continue to surface when you think about living your best life, being happier, more fulfilled and joyful, those are the things you MUST BE DOING because your spirit is calling for them.

If you’re constantly saying you wish you painted more, wrote poetry or short stories, started meditating, drank more green juice or got to be outdoors more… then you need to prioritize these things. When we see something we connect with on a deep level, we know it. We’re drawn to it in a way we can’t explain. We long for it.

Those that need to paint, are captivated by other people’s artwork, pour over art supply catalogs, long to buy and begin expressing themselves on canvas.

Those that need to meditate are constantly saying they should meditate. They wish that there was time in their day, extra money to attend a retreat or that they had access to a wellness center in their community for guided sessions.

Those that need to be outside are always staring out the window longingly, imagining themselves on a trail or beach and antsy from lack of movement and fresh air.

Whether or not you realize it, you KNOW what things you need in your life to feel joy. To live fully expressed, stress free and make YOUR contribution.

Here Are Three Things You MUST DO to Feel Joyful

1) Determine what things you’re drawn to.

When you envision yourself feeling happy and joyful, where are you? Who are you with? What are you doing? What makes the experience a happy one?

If you struggle with these questions, think about the last time you felt truly alive and happy. What were you doing? Was it back in high school, maybe college? Was it a specific class centered around a forgotten passion? Were you being expressive, using your hands, playing, learning or connecting?

Who’s life do you feel jealous of? The woman that runs her own business? The mom down the street with an adorable newborn? The musician that plays at the local coffee shop? Ask yourself what it is about their life you’re drawn to and WHY.

2) Eliminate your excuses.

We all have our reasons why we feel we can’t make time for these things. How are you supposed to take up painting when you’re exhausted by your crappy job? You have bills to pay, there’s no way that you can travel and see the world. Or maybe you’re with someone that would never support this thing you desire to do. Stop making excuses and start looking for solutions!

If you set aside just 30 – 60 minutes each day to paint SOMETHING, before you know it, you would have a finished piece. You would have discovered your style, improved tremendously in your technique and had a lot of fun.

If you stopped buying Starbucks every day, cut back on your expenses and watched travel deals like a hawk, I’m positive that you would find the perfect opportunity (WITHIN your means) to travel and start seeing the world.

If you ditched that person that doesn’t support you (because, hello, that’s NOT LOVE), then you would be left with no excuse not to do the things you want to do.

There is ALWAYS a way! It may not be exactly how you picture it in your head, but if you just START, you’ll get there. Make as much time as you can. If it’s only 5 minutes a day, AWESOME. Just do it. Start RIGHT NOW and before you know it, you’ll be living a life that’s infused with your passions, leaving you joyful and satisfied.

3) Start a daily practice.

Carrying on from the last step, you must have a regular, daily practice. If writing brings you joy, helps you feel centered, and allows you to be focused, then it’s necessary for success in ALL areas of your life.

If painting makes you feel happy and alive, allows you to eliminate stress in your body, keeps your mood from diving into depression, and adds color to your world, YOU HAVE to make the time to regularly put brush to canvas.

We often overlook these essential activities in our lives because they seem frivolous. If you have time to paint, you probably have time to do something “more productive.” But if you don’t make the time to do something that LIGHTS YOU UP, you will be stressed out, off balance and far less productive on a long-term basis than if you just took 5 minutes to yourself each day.

If your life feels overwhelming, start small. Free write for 5 minutes each day. Paint something, ANYTHING, for 15 minutes every day. Jog once around the block every morning. Bake something one day each week.

Before you know it, you’ll feel the benefits of these little spurts and will find yourself giving more and more time to the things that you love. This is GOOD. The more time you’re able to give to these things, the happier you’ll feel. You’ll be more productive, more loving, stress free and fulfilled in your life.

Find five minutes in your day and make it a priority.

And remember, go with the flow!

You may start out focused on writing every day, but if (and when) you find yourself drawn to something new and unexpected, just go with the flow. Your spirit is initially drawn to what it needs to thrive so it can carry you on the path you’re meant to take. Honor that and just go with it!

Take Action Now!

In the comments section below, tell me at least one thing you feel drawn to. Next, tell me one commitment you will make to incorporate this into your life TODAY.



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