Shifting into joy

Happy Friday!

I look forward to this message every week. I feel even if one person reads this and finds value then I have done what was needed. I ask if you ever have a topic you would like me to talk about or help you navigate, please email me. I am here to support you in your healing journey, and it brings me great joy to serve.?

Over the last two weeks with my husband away on assignment, I have come to recognize a lot. First- cooking for one takes a little more effort than I remembered lol Second, I thought single parenting was hard- this solo dog parenting… Let’s just say my morning went from a 4:30a wake-up time to 3:30a real quick which leads me into this Friday’s Inspirations. How to find joy in all moments.

I grew tired of this routine within the first week- it was almost as if I were dreading my alarm. For me to start the day dragging or moody felt energetically draining. I am normally a pretty positive human- but reminder I am human. It was harder for me to focus on the things I needed to do and I just felt tired. I knew I needed to reframe things because I really love my two girls (pups)- even when they are a handful - I love seeing their excitement when we go for their walk. I am normally really great at compartmentalizing things, I was simply over the earliness and fatigue.?

Well- the universe always steps in to help when we are receptive and willing to do the work. Tuesday, while in a session for work, I was reminded of the book Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (try typing that ha). It was then my intuition nudged clearly- I needed to read this (listen to-let’s be real I very much enjoy the flexibility of audio). I thought why not- it was perfect as I needed a break from the heavy science-based book I was currently reading.?

I put it on, have you ever had that moment where you feel as if the writer is speaking directly to you? Yep- this was me.?

Talk about a complete feeling of awe -mixed with hearing the universe calling me out for my moody mornings as of late. He mentioned, you have the ability to find enjoyment within all activities- that all activities have the potential to create flow.. all it takes is challenging our minds to do so. I sat with this for a moment…?

For me, it meant challenging my thinking- challenging myself within my routine. How could I make it desirable to be up so early etc? This meant I had to do the work to reverse engineer my mindset. I started by reminding myself of the pure joy my girls have- they light up so much. I started to draw from their energy of love. I also reminded myself that this gave me more time in the morning to GSD- I was able to work through a lot more of the projects I have and take breaks more frequently. Which also meant I was able to be outside more of my day too. I meditated and did energy work to help boost my cognition and energy levels. I feel so much better.

Listening to our inner nudges when we know we need something is one way we work through moments in life. We have to pay attention to ourselves and take an intuitive approach to what we need to do to shift. Sometimes I need a walk, a break, a mediation- others times I need to confide in a friend when life’s hitting me hard. You will always be guided - just listen openly and take it all in.

I was reminded of what I say often- we can change anything when we are intentional to do so.

A few insights from his book about Flow- highly recommend reading this if you haven’t.

1. Set Clear Goals: Define clear and achievable goals for the task at hand. Having a clear objective helps focus your attention and energy, making it easier to immerse yourself in the activity.
2. Focus and Concentration: Concentrate fully on the task, blocking out distractions and irrelevant thoughts. Flow often occurs when you are fully engaged in what you are doing, so try to immerse yourself completely in the activity.
3. Challenge-Skill Balance: Ensure that the level of challenge presented by the task matches your skill level. Flow tends to occur when the challenge is just right—not too easy that it becomes boring, and not too difficult that it becomes overwhelming. Adjust the difficulty of the task as needed to maintain this balance.
4. Feedback: Seek feedback on your progress as you work on the task. Feedback helps you adjust your approach and stay on track towards your goals, enhancing your sense of control and focus.
5. Mindfulness and Awareness: Cultivate mindfulness and awareness during the task, paying close attention to your thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment. Being mindful helps you stay engaged and connected to the task at hand, fostering a deeper sense of involvement and satisfaction.
6. Enjoy the Process: Try to find enjoyment in the process of completing the task, rather than solely focusing on the end result. By appreciating the journey and finding meaning in what you are doing, you can enhance your overall experience and increase the likelihood of entering a state of flow.

Until next week, enjoy your Friday! Candice

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Journal Prompts:

Describe a moment or activity in your daily life that brings you joy and fulfillment. What is it about this experience that resonates with you? How can you cultivate more moments like this in your life?

Think about a time when you felt fully immersed and focused on a task, losing track of time and self-consciousness. What were you doing? What factors contributed to this state of flow? How can you recreate these conditions in other areas of your life?

Reflect on the role of mindfulness in your life. How often do you find yourself fully present and engaged in the moment? How can you cultivate greater mindfulness and awareness in your daily experiences?

Consider your personal growth journey. What areas of your life do you feel called to develop or improve? How can you approach this growth with a sense of curiosity, joy, and self-compassion?

Affirmations:

I embrace the journey of life with joy and curiosity, knowing that each moment holds an opportunity for growth and fulfillment.

I trust in my inner wisdom to guide me through with a willingness to learn.

I cultivate mindfulness in my daily life, staying present and engaged in the here and now, and finding beauty and purpose in the unfolding of each moment.

I am always growing and evolving.

“Embrace the journey of life, finding joy and purpose in each moment. When challenges arise, meet them with a curious mind and a willingness to grow. Tune into your inner wisdom and let it guide you forward, trusting that you have the strength and resilience to handle whatever comes your way.?

Cultivate mindfulness, staying present and engaged in the here and now. For it is in the unfolding of each day, each experience, that we find true meaning and fulfillment.?

By approaching life with intentionality and a commitment to personal growth, you open yourself up to the possibility of entering a place of total immersion, focus, and joy." - The Warrior Within Healing