Joy May Be Trying to Tell You Something
Because of my training and work experiences, I am aware that I can pay enormous amounts of attention to stress, discomfort, illness, dissatisfaction, and exhaustion because they contain so much information about where our physical dis-ease begins. I am also aware that much of what I write about can support you in not getting caught in those traps.
Although much of my work has been in teaching and supporting others to not get to the point of dis-ease. I don’t want us, however, to lose sight of the fact that joy contains information too. What makes you lose track of time? Who makes you laugh differently? A real belly laugh? A running to the bathroom laugh?
Where does your body soften? What makes it completely and totally let go of stress? Do you even know? What makes you unexpectedly excited? These aren’t indulgences. They’re clues – identifiers. They are the clues to extremely important information about you and the healing and medicinal tools you need for life. They most definitely provide a well-nourished body, mind, and soul. Not a petty detail I dare say and so very important to know.
One of the dangers of having a long-time and well-established identity is becoming imprisoned by our own consistency. “That’s not me.” “I don’t do that.” “I’ve never been interested in that.” Maybe. Or perhaps you simply haven’t seen that version of you yet that would love it. You are allowed, even encouraged, to surprise yourself! Have you ever said: “I wouldn’t like that.” And yet when you finally gave yourself permission to try it you found out you loved it? Yup. That’s what I’m talking about.
We can lock ourselves into a sense of self that fit us 10-20-30 years ago and that without realizing it we have long ago outgrown. I am all for taking a chance. Just because you never liked something or found joy in it doesn’t mean that is still your truth. If you are honest, there are many things you used to like that you don’t any longer. Why couldn’t the opposite be true?
I used to love concerts. To this day I love music and dancing. Janis Joplin – Cher – been there - done that - and LOVED it. A couple years ago, however, I attended a concert at a casino and thought I would vomit. The noise level was horrific – the heat was unbearable - the crowds were crushing me so I could hardly breathe – the stench - OMG – never again unless it’s outdoors – I love those… Hadn’t realized I had changed until I tried it and boy oh boy have I changed.
Conversely, I never saw myself as a long-distance walker, yet I’ve completed a marathon and a dozen half-marathons and loved the training (admittedly the hills are tough) and the sense of completion. Real joy!
Find those things that bring joy – experiment – try it before you judge it – unless of course it goes against your value system – there is a whole world of discovery out there that you can miss. They are things that tell you so much more about who you have become that you may never know without trying. All while discovering a world and a you that you never knew existed. Not only does it eliminate a sense of stuckness – a rut you may be in or entering – it may bring an immense amount of much needed joy to keep you, your relationships, and your career enriched. It adds to - not subtracts from – each of those areas. Go for it!
