what brings you joy

What Brings You Joy?

We have all heard that we should always do what makes us happy or brings us joy. We have an idea that what we do is related to some special dream. We believe that we will achieve or accomplish happiness and joy with a lot of work, perseverance, and effort.

The truth is that we need to be reminded that we can find joy in almost everything we do. It’s in every little detail or aspect of our daily routine. We can discover it and learn to create it. We can create our own routine and add our personal touch to everything we do.

While expressing these thoughts, this phrase resonates in me: “The way you do one thing is the way you do all the rest”. So, if you struggle to wake up early, you can create joy from that. How? By incorporating some ritual to enrich the activity. Meditation, breathing techniques, and a gentle stretching routine to awaken the body are a few suggestions. You can also try a delicious bath with oils, or just playing some nice music, to make waking up more pleasant. It doesn’t take much effort or time to accomplish this.

During this COVID-19 quarantine for example, you are probably isolated from nature. If you’re feeling far away from the outdoors and open spaces with delightful views, you can add some beautiful plants to your house. Enjoy working in your garden or plant one, pick some flowers and decorate, or add elements that are pleasing to you.

I’d also encourage you to create something in your “free time.” (If you are like many of us, we commonly think that we don’t have any free time). If you do feel that way, you need to create it. Do something with your hands like gardening, painting, writing, needlework, play an instrument, sing, dance, or cook, etc.

What you do with your hands or body can reconnect you with your essence as a human being. Use your creativity and learn to feel without effort. This practice will allow you to shine brilliantly and you will see everything you need is inside you. You already are nature, and you already are a creator.

Written by Melisa Serna Medina (Peru)