So many of us know where we don't want to be and how we don't want to feel. But how many of us take the time to clearly articulate what we do want? This is where you begin your path to a Joyful, Vibrant, Abundant life. Yep, it deserves to be capitalized. It's that important.
The reality is that many of us spend large portions of our waking hours focusing on what we don't want. Come on, teachers. We know better than to do that. We know that whatever we give our attention to in the classroom grows. Minimize attention to unwanted behavior and maximize attention and reinforcement of what is wanted.
Yet, when it comes to our own lives, the things that live rent-free in our brains are often the very things we'd like to kick to the curb. Here's a radical idea. Focus on joy because what we give our attention to grows. This is not, I must stress, a toxic-positivity-good-vibes-only approach. There will be crap you have to acknowledge and quickly deal with. But dwelling there is going to attract more of that. Whatever that is. I'll say it again (and probably again). What we give our attention to grows, right?
What I'm strongly suggesting instead is to take back your power, take control of your narrative, and decide what you do want to feel most of the day.
Simple, right? Well, it takes a bit of practice. We've all memorized a way of being and it requires a lot of repetition and reinforcement to obtain new results.
First, and this is a big one, build the belief that you are capable and deserving of joy. We perform all sorts of mind tricks, with the help of media and even friends and family, to convince ourselves otherwise.
Next, start paying attention to how you are choosing to feel throughout the day. Is it the way you want to feel? You might be surprised by how often your thoughts turn negative. I know this sounds super obvious, but I'm going to say it. It's very difficult to feel joy while dwelling on the negative. Now, from that point of awareness, just reach for the next best feeling.
No need to leapfrog to overwhelming joy. I mean, you can. Just don't panic when your subconscious, who has been living on a steady diet of whatever you've fed it, decides this vastly different approach is too far from your current norm and tells you to retreat back to what you know because it feels safe. Baby steps. Just keep reaching for the next best feeling until you've moved so far toward joy so often that it becomes your new norm.
Is it really that simple? Well, I'll say this. It's a good first step. So hang tight. I've got more support heading your way.
Best,
Jessica
