Surround Yourself with JOY
I was trying to think of a cute anachronism for JOY for this week’s writing.
So I asked Google to help me out with some clever anachronisms.
You know, like:
“Joke’s on You” (but that doesn’t seem very nice) or
“Jesus First, Others Second, Yourself Last” (but I run the risk of losing half my readers if I state this) or
“Japanese Open Yellowpages” (Well … first of all, I don’t even KNOW what that means; and second, I found myself straying further and further away from the point I am trying to make)
So, the one I like is the one I made up - sans Google:
“Just Open Yourself” up for love.
A straight up definition that I found included the following:
True joy is a limitless, life-defining, transformative reservoir waiting to be tapped into. It requires the utmost surrender and, like love,
is a choice to be made.
Like my students, I’ve struggled with positivity since the pandemic.
There’s a growing body of research that shows how our thoughts and emotions can shape the structure and function of our brains. In fact, when we experience positive emotions, like joy or gratitude, our brains release dopamine and serotonin, which are neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and well-being.
My struggle includes witnessing a sort of a grand awakening or change, if you will, that is occurring in our world and, frankly, I support much of this movement. But it appears to be coming at a price - a cost to others; a cost that was unexpected and took me a smidge by surprise. (For example, I have many friends who have passed, etc)
But I’m coping in productive ways and holding strong to my belief systems which include surrounding myself with joyful events, exercise, playful opportunities and good people.
In light of joyful opportunities, I invite you to the following upcoming events.
(Some events are filling up nicely - snag them while you can)
Won’t you join me?
A WEEKLY REVIEW OF MY JOY
Great Aunt Yogi greeted our SLARTS students on the morning of May 4
“May the Fourth Be With YOU.”
Michael ordered a Gluten Free birthday cake from City Cakes for our 5 Faculty May Birthdays. It’s SOOOOO beautiful.
I’m receiving lovely photos from our daughter, Abigail, who is in Greece with a workmate; she is having a terrific time!
Michael prepped our backyard by spending two days weeding and planting flowers so that Maureen and I could enjoy a beautiful view - a glass of wine - and a warm outdoor backyard fire for our birthdays.
Tutoring buddy Sweet Alice helped me bake a raspberry chocolate ganache birthday cake for my Mindfulness class. (she LOVES our Foster Kittens)
Maureen and I, once again, celebrated our shared Birthdate by collaborating over a delicious Cinco de Mayo dinner with our husbands.
With the help of MY Master instructor Sami Smith and her mom Lynda, we were able to meet for an early morning practice with founder Sebastien LaGree outside at the Gateway! (A GREAT way to begin May 6)
Zumba dancing with Jenny Baird followed LaGree! (too much? Not for THIS 62 year old!) Dancing releases all those good-feeling hormones. I had a blast. Later that same evening, I had pre-scheduled a 2-hour birthday massage with Jenny through her massage business Balanced Synergistic Massage. (Truly the best way to end the evening!)
Completing our 5-week mindfulness weekend with these hooligans! Culminating my JOYful weekend with these wonderfully goofy MBSR-T students. (we had so much fun!)
Sunday, May 7? I’m deeming this day: A Day of REST. I’m walking dogs. I’m taking naps. I’m watching ROM/COMs!
