I’m continuously looking for ways to bring more joy and love into my life. You’ve no doubt heard that gratitude is the attitude. Well in my humble opinion that couldn’t be more true.
Finding a way to be grateful for the smallest things in our lives even in a moment of darkness can be the beginning a huge shift.
I’ve recently been introduced to another method of shifting the events in my life. It’s actually a combination I put together from a couple of authors that I was exposed to. I believe the actual term of the cheerfulness practice was coined by Pem Chodron of “Don’t Bite the Hook.”
The cheerful practice is simple a method of going through your day intentionally recognizing things that make you happy no matter how small they may be. It’s actually where you sweat the small stuff because the small stuff counts.
For example, here are some of the things that made me feel good yesterday:
- I watched the movie “I Love You Man” and felt great joy in watching a terrific bond being made between a couple of male friends. I also had an overwhelming feeling of love as I witnessed the way the lead female character (Rashida Jones) displayed such love, patience and kindness toward her finance’.
- I laughed hysterically as I viewed the comedy of Cedrick The Entertainer and Bill Bellamy.
- I felt an overwhelming since of satisfaction as I rose early to clean the house before a showing. Each time I finished a room a little more dopamine was released into my body.
- I felt a real connection as I spoke to a guy who was running his own import/export business from home.
- I felt good rising early in the morning before day break to get a head start on the day.
- I had a great sensation come over me as I took a warm coffee mug out of the dishwasher to make a cup of coffee.
- I felt a sense of accomplishment as I eliminated unneeded paperwork off my desk.
What most fail to realize is that everything is energy. When you’re working with energy-EVERYTHING COUNTS. Therefore you should endeavor to do two things. First, anytime you feel less than good throughout the day you should notice how you feel and begin to make a conscious shift toward feeling better. Second, you should notice with great clarity anything that makes you feel good.
When you learn to work with energy and become more conscious of the things that bring you joy, you will begin to imprint this cheefulness into your subconscious mind. As one of my mentors would say, “you are beginning to let the world touch your heart.” Life begins to take on a real meaning as our hearts are opened.
We are so conditioned to focus on what is not working in our lives. We mostly give our attention to the things we don’t like and we don’t want. If you want to know the quickest way to continue to perpetuate what you are currently getting then continue to put your attention there. Energy flows where attention goes.
Note that this cheerfulness practice can come in many forms. It could be your interaction with a bird, a tree, an animal, a flower, the wind, a pond or even a human being. Don’t underestimate the power of feeling connected to all things.
Cheerfulness practice is a conscious choice each of us can make to feel more alive. I challenge you today to look for the joy in the little things.
That’s my spin on it.
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