Cultivating Peace and Joy
If you want peace and joy in your life you have to be peaceful and joy filled. If this concept seems simple that’s because it is. Your life right now as you see it is an out picturing of your thoughts and beliefs. You create your life through your thoughts and beliefs. By cultivating new thoughts you can create a happier and healthier life.
Techniques you can try cultivate peace and joy?
Take a “time out” daily and just breathe. A great start would be to take ten minutes twice a day. Sit quietly, play something soothing, close your eyes and just take note of your breath. Note how your chest rises and falls with each breath. If you get distracted with thoughts, just return to your breath.
Imagine/The Magic Wand
Find a quiet place, gather a pen and paper play some soothing music and let your imagination flow. Imagine you have a magic wand and as you wave it your life becomes just as you want it to be. Write about this great life. Do not hold back. You have everything you need. Describe this life in every detail.
- What does it look like?
- What does it feel like?
- What are your perfect relationships in this great life?
- How do these relationships make you feel?
What emotions does this great life call fourth, joy, happiness, love? Just let your thoughts flow freely remember it is magic and you have the wand. Revisit this exercise when you feel as though your losing sight of your desires.
Readjust Your Thoughts
If you find yourself swimming in negativity and feel yourself spiraling down into the blues acknowledge those feelings. Identify them. If you are feeling sad, say to yourself “I am experiencing sadness”. Remember that this experience of sadness will pass as all feelings are fleeting. Then take four deep slow breathes while smiling, as you are breathing allow your thoughts to come and go like ships passing by. Remember you are not your thoughts.
When sufficient time has passed and you are feeling more peaceful, bring to mind a happy memory. Try to remember it in all its detail. Once the memory is alive in your mind and positive feelings have emerged, allow those feelings.
Turn Away From Negativity
You are no doubt affected and influenced by the company that you keep and things that you hear, read or see. If these influences do not bring you happiness, peace, or joy, then you might reconsider their place in your life.
Stay away from gossip and criticizing. Try not to worry about what others think of you. It does not matter. Remember other people do not define who you are because only you define who you are. Surround yourself with people that bring out the best in you, who support you. We all deserve to be supported and loved. Consider taking a break from watching the news, as it can be upsetting. I find that when I watch the news I can feel a clear shift in my mood and my psyche. Knowing this, I do not allow myself to watch the news in the morning, as I do not want to start my day in the negative.
These simple techniques can have a profound effect on your life. It costs nothing but an open mind and some time. Take the challenge! Try these four techniques for thirty days. I am certain that after those thirty days you will have more peace and happiness in your life.