Feeding Your Joy

An inspirational message from Louise Dunn

Bliss is the sense of radical joy that comes over us
when we realize that we are deeply blessed.
~ Louise Dunn ~

Sitting with colleagues one day, I was sharing the observation that many
people are perhaps not so much overwhelmed in their lives as they are
chronically under-blissed. This means there is far too little joy and too much
stress; they are burdened with too many responsibilities and cannot find the
time to accomplish everything. My colleagues agreed that this was certainly
true in their own lives at times.

What Feeds Your Joy?

Living in a state of depleted bliss or joy is detrimental to our well-being. It
prevents life-giving “nutrients” such as laughter, deep breathing, new
perspectives and simple relaxation from really feeding and renewing our
lives. An unbalanced focus on work-related projects leaves little time for
anything else. It is as if our world shrinks into one main sphere of activity,
closing off the very people and pleasures that make a life wholly meaningful.

Consider:

 Can you name the things that give you real joy?
 Do you consistently invite and allow these very things into your life?
If not, why not?
 Think of your work as your playground. Does your work schedule
allow for recess?
 Do you give yourself permission to just sit and daydream?

Who Fills Your Cup?

Think of the people who bring energy, light and laughter to you. They may
be friends, family members, neighbors, colleagues or total strangers. Then
give yourself permission to spend more time with them. Stretch yourself
beyond old habits of isolation and over-work and let God lift your spirit
through the presence and company of joyful people

* copyrighted by Riches Within*

Days 1,2,3 - Getting Through Life's Irritations

Hmm. Interesting that my first post for Day 0 of my revelation fast was talking about being prepared. Day 1 came and I was not prepared at all! In a rush to get Kem off to playcare I forgot to bring my water and oranges, which I left in a huge bag on the kitchen counter. So I ended up purchasing some midday when I began to feel lightheaded. I actually was in luck, because the store had a sale on organic navel oranges and I happened to buy the last 2 BAGS : )wooo-hoo! I also bought some coconut water for hubby and Kem - they have been really chugging thru the coconuts lately and I have not had time to compost, so I went a bit conventional and bought some vitacoco and zico water, which seem to both be really tasty. Not sure if its fully raw, but way healthier than Gatorade.

Getting through Day 1 was really difficult. The main things that I found (and that are common to days 1 and 2) are that my tolerance for things is really short. The fact that I was running late, forgot my food, had to buy more food, gas, when I did not really intend to really added to my general annoyance of anything that either was not according to schedule/plan or was just too much effort. Of course, to top it off, I had and argument with hubby at bedtime about charging my cell phone, which seems to always only have one bar of power left on it.. His issue was if there was an emergency and my phone wasn't charged, then that might cause a problem... meanwhile my frustrated fasting self debated - 'well, if its that much of an emergency at this time of night, the person should know that I am home and call me here' ..  Not a good retort to have when you plan to share the same bed to get some zzzzs......


It all blew over in the end, but that was a teaching moment.. Men (at least my man) want to also be seen as helpful. So telling me to charge my phone right before bed is something that he thought was a good thing to do. My desire to wait till morning because I was on Day 1 of my fast and I want to get some sleep.. that was not a good enough answer because, well, I didn't acknowledge the "good deed" he attempted to do, and in my frustration had a not so compromising tone..

Day 2 was a little better - I had left the oranges I purchased in my car's storage bin so that I had them when i got to school, but I wasnt counting on them being frozen, lol.. I decided to try and take as many classes towards the Bikram yoga challenge at my local studio (60 classes in 12 wks) and of course I only have three weeks left... I ended up doing two classes on Day 2, which was tiring, but really refreshing. I went to sleep very early -- not too long after we put Kem to bed, and woke up 9 hours later.. Kem did not wake up in the middle of the night and climb into bed with us?!!  THIS WAS HUGE! Getting more than 8 hrs of sleep at home with no interruptions is something I have not achieved in over two years :( I hope it gets better... I did have a bit of a cheat, tasting some of Kem's food before feeding him to make sure it wasn't hot.. but I think I had a good day. I definitely need to drink more water. I am feeling dehydration setting in, particularly from the yoga classes.

Day 3 was excellent :) Still annoyed by minor things... being cut off on the road, etc. But not acting on them or letting them get to me. I woke up extra early, make 2 dinners for Kem and hubby, got him ready for playcare, and left ON TIME!  Was able to drop him off, hit a Hot Yoga class right after, one after work and the evening Yin Yoga, which was amazing! I actually fell asleep in Savasana and the lady cleaning the studio came to wake me 15 min after the class was over, lol! Definitely a sleep inducer. I struggled to stay awake for the drive home, then felt a little energized, so I drank some coconut water and ate 4 almonds.. a little detraction from the oranges (of which I ate 3 on the home trip), but I needed a few more minerals before I tried to go to sleep.

And so that ends Days 1,2,3. I will end with some takeaway points:
Embrace: patience, love,  and nature
Release: anger, frustration, annoyance

Meditation: Today's worst day for you is someone else's best day.

Blessings,
Lina

Day 0 - Revelation Fast: Prepare to be Fed

This is Day 0 of my Revelation Fast.



 I am calling it a Revelation Fast because I am seeking many things and I also have many things to shed and purge, both emotionally and physically.  Today is Day 0 - I am using it get myself ready to fast and be fed in ways other than with food.

I will be eating on this fast, however --  fruit and veggie juices, green smoothies, and the occasional addition of coconut meat to stay on an even keel.  In the spirit of several bloggers who have fasted recently (Jayna and Raw Mocha Angel), I have some major goals for this fast, but I will iterate them after Day 3 -- its the first 3 days that are the biggest hump to get over.

Meanwhile, I hope to post daily (yes, I know you've heard that before) but indeed this is part of my revelation fast -- to post daily, even if short excerpts about how I am doing with things.

So I am planning to do an orange fast for the next 48hrs, then add in green smoothies on Day 3. I am getting myself ready to go beyond 10 days for this fast, so I have several preparations I need to make, particularly in terms of planning my day/routine.

a) going to bed early is going to be even more important.
b) once I wake up in the morning, I need to be proactive and alert.
c) planning meals and being conscious of my actions, especially in auto-pilot situations (driving, for example) will be worked on.
d) keep some classical music onhand for meditation.


I always enjoy these fasts, because I end up really accomplishing quite a bit over the time that I spend in them. my focus is so much more intense.

Well, stay tuned for Day 1 -- oranges and a longer mamacita day for me and my son :)

Today's meditation is from Althea of the RawMocha Angel -- (go preorder her upcoming book)!
'Love yourself and embrace your healing'

Blessings and Joy,
Lina

Inspiring Quotes ; Preparation

2011 is running quickly already and I know some of you have already abandoned your resolutions -- there are still 9 months to go --- perfect timing to incubate and birth your dreams for 2011.

What is on your heart ?
What has been burning in your belly for days, weeks, months, years, that you have not latched onto and taken steps toward?
Where is the joy in your life? Can you touch, taste, see, smell, hear it?

This blog was created to inspire. It IS meant to inspire you. Although I have many angles in which to push this motive, I will for now, choose words.

 All you need is a SPARK -- and the fire can be lit :)


Prepare to find, meet, and BE the SPARK! Here are some great quotes to get you going!

Miguel De Cervantes
To be prepared is half the victory.

 

Henry Ford
Before everything else, getting ready is the secret to success.

 

Johnny Carson
Talent alone won't make you a success. Neither will being in the right place at the right time, unless you are ready. The most important question is: 'Are your ready?' 

 

Eleanor Roosevelt
One thing life taught me -- if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you.

 

Louis Pasteur
Luck favors the mind that is prepared.