Where Joy Lives

Jan 3

Does your body feel like a “hell yes” of pure joy when you start your day?

If you read my last blog, you know I believe disconnection from our bodies, particular for women, is the epidemic going on right now that too few people are talking about. Read that blog here.

Our current society (particularly in the US), focuses on being happy. Seems like a good idea on the surface, right? I used to think so too.

What I realized is that happy is surface level emotion and it’s entirely dependent upon external situations. When society is continuously telling you to just “be happy”; you’re being encouraged to seek this pleasant state outside of yourself. And then beating yourself up when you feel emotions other than “happy”. You’ve lost yourself in the idea that something “out there” or someone else is the answer.

Joy, on the other hand, emerges and grows from within you. Joy is connecting to your body. Joy is from being who you are, not from doing. Joy comes from listening to your deep inner wisdom.

You have to build time for self to learn the language of your body, learn what her voice sounds like. Because if your body’s voice is like mine (and I think she is), her voice is soft, quiet, sometimes doesn’t seem logical. But when I listen, I know intuitively that I’m on the right track.

If your body is screaming at you - as mine has in the past - it means you haven’t been listening to the quiet voice so she’s trying to get your attention. Both voices are good, because it means you’re now listening and can start to unravel the pattern she’s telling you is no longer serving you.

Joy is NOT the same thing as feeling good all the time.

Joy can feel like:

Expansion
Transformation
Gratitude
Confidence
Love
Beauty

Joy can also feel like:

Hope when you’re processing grief and loss
Light when you’re feeling stuck or constriction
Energy when you’re upgrading your health and healing
Calm/groundedness when you’re healing anxiety or frustration
Compassion for yourself or another when you’re healing anger
Play when you’re feeling stressed

Joy comes out of feeling he full spectrum of your emotions. And all emotions /feelings are necessary. We label some emotions as difficult. I truly understand why we call them difficult as I’ve processed and navigated my own healing.

What I’ve learned, is that as women we have an amazing capacity for emotions. And they are all beautiful. Sure, no one wants to feel grief, sorrow, loss, constriction, etc. BUT we have an amazing opportunity to feel them all. Learn how they feel in your body. Learn what your body is trying to help you heal when you feel these. Learn a new language.

The way to joy is through; not by going around or avoiding.

Getting to joy or equanimity with more regularity boosts your immune system, increases longevity, decreases stress and increases confidence in the Divine within you.

Wishing you joy in your body…which is transformative for your heart and mind.

Ask yourself: