I think we underestimate the power of joy to heal what is bruised and broken in us.
In my perfect world, doctors would scribble a prescription for their repeat patients to experience joy on a daily basis instead of pushing so many pills. In schools, we would be taught and encouraged to define and do what delights us every day. It would be taught in Health as a means of self care, just as important as having good hygeine, eating healthy food and getting proper rest. It is so curious to me how they neglect to teach joy as a tool to cope with stress.
On a daily basis, burden and heaviness is often felt. This sense of burden impairs our state of mental health and can contribute to the creation of discomfort and disease in the body, mind, spirit.
Here are some suggestions to guide your dive into Daily Delight
Self knowledge: know what you love doing and grant yourself permission to indulge in this activity…think of new things you’ve always thought you’d like to do and do them. It is high time we started normalizing the need to indulge in delight and not be so governed by the patriarchal programming of PRODUCE, PRODUCE, PRODUCE!!!
I like to keep a list in my phone notes for the things I would like to do…I categorize mine by season, but whatever works for you personally is best.
Permission: Begin to EMBODY the belief…I deserve to have fun…I deserve to relax…I deserve to indulge in delight EVERYDAY. It doesnt have to take alot of time or energy.
Challenge yourself to find small indulgences to promote better mental health. It is so worth the effort.
KNOW you are ALLOWED to experience joy:-) everything doesnt have to be a grind.
Perception: not seeing things as chores, bores…but as opportunities to practice being present in the now. Joy is intensified when we practice presence and we can relax into a more peaceful state of mental health. When we do this it brings love and satisfaction to the activitiy despite previously not necessarily enjoying it.
For example, Standing on line at a store, at a light,(anytime you have to wait) Changing my perception of things that i NEED to do and adding elements of joy to them has been a life saver and has served to help me establish and maintain better mental health.
Breathe.Trust that it is all good. Everything is just a matter of perception.
Butterscotch, Stevia and Stones
Sweet sunny butterscotch
and some packets of stevia
Tucked
beside stones
of bumblebee jasper and citrine
(Believed, by the way,
to promote prosperity and purpose)
I smile with delight
Imagining the potent alchemy occuring
in such an unsuspecting place
as my pocket.
Energy of ingredients mix
In the bowl
at my hip.
Bliss, fusing with esteem
Purpose and power mingling
I see,feel and hold
The luscious vision
Of my desire
A ritual performed,
an action of intention…
A type of baking powder,
to make things rise.
With stevia,stones and butterscotch,
Faith and feeling deserving
I summon
and serve myself
a life of fulfillment.
If you would like to learn strategies and tools to increase your ability to nurture better mental health, check out my workshops under the menu button.
The Conscious Creative Cook 