Dancing in studio
Here are some simple activities and ways of looking at the world that can really give us a boost if we practice them consistently. Give them a try one at a time or all at once, and enjoy the results!
- Gratitude for the now. I love the saying, “happiness isn’t having what you want, it’s wanting what you have.” This absolutely does not mean you don’t strive for the stars, or that more of what you want won’t help you feel joy, but rather that until you first fully appreciate where you are now, growth can’t happen. The littlest joy can be found in the moment by really seeing what is in front of us, even something as small as truly focusing on the taste of one’s food, the smell of the freshness outdoors or writing down one thing to be thankful for. A great question is, “what can increase my gratitude today?” This takes knowing what you enjoy doing, for example, and doing it. Afterwards you will naturally inspire more gratitude than before the activity.
- Create a nourishing retreat at home. This takes not money, but the effort to bring beauty into your space, which nurtures your soul! It can be as simple as collecting leaves and rocks from outside, cutting out pictures that inspire and hanging them up, or better yet, painting something yourself, or just reworking what you have in a new way. We often feel a need to get away to a beautiful setting. The more we can make our home similar in feeling to what we crave, even in a small way, we win. Is there special music that will help satisfy your soul, a nurturing cup of tea or a warm foot soak? The options are endless…enjoy!
- Share NOW with a friend or relative. This rarely fails to lift you up, and also has the ability to help you move through difficult feelings and challenging times. Not only will the recipient feel permission to share their own hardships, it will most certainly increase the connection between the two of you, which is one of the greatest gifts we can give to another. If you keep things to yourself and find this difficult, try sharing one small, maybe not so difficult feeling and see what transpires. This also translates to the bigger concept of reaching out and connecting in general. Join a group in your community, take a class or simply make a promise to talk to someone new each week!
- Do something NEW!! This can mean going to a new place like a local trip to the beach, walking the streets of a new town, or simply trying a new activity or changing your routine. Anything really. ** Newness increases aliveness and decreases our sense of boredom that comes from being in a rut. Is there a place you’ve been wanting to go but can’t seem to make it happen? Well, now is your chance because I said so! Just go! If you were to have a completely unique day like you’ve never had before, what would it involve? Take note of what that would look like, and commit to doing all or part of it within the next 2 weeks.
- Move!! Along with this can be the outdoors. Walking is a great way to get the blood flowing and enjoy the scenery, smell the flowers and hear the soothing sounds of nature. Walking can be especially inspiring in the early morning . Starting your day in a positive way can help you carry this feeling throughout the afternoon and evening. Can you take in a sunset stroll? It’s a great and refreshing way to give thanks for the day and for all life’s gifts. Dancing and stretching to music is very freeing and can help you get in touch with yourself. What kind of mood are you in? Use music to induce the feeling you desire at any moment, as well as to compliment the mood you are already in. Then let yourself move from the inside out, like a child, with no judgement. This is for you!
