Joy Happens

Now that I know I can experience ease at will, it’s a little bit of a detective game when I’m not at ease. Like, when  I’m in the sweet spot, everything slows down, other people’s words and actions float by, I give everyone and everything including myself a warm hug of compassion — even as I can set my sail in the direction of working towards a differing viewpoint.  I get to work - even hard - while at peace.

When I’m not in the sweet spot, I’m sensitive, anxious even, revved up.  Decisions and situations feel important in the moment.  People’s words bite.  Even sweet Brownie’s counter-surfing and barking seems malicious - aimed at me - rather than her simply being a puppy doing puppy things.  I get to lovingly guide her to more acceptable alternatives.  

I get to lovingly guide myself to more acceptable alternatives, my preference being patience, tolerance, kindness, and love for myself and for others.  When I’m out of the sweet spot I get to stop, notice, breathe.  Then think: What can I do, right now, in this moment, to remember who I really am? To remember the truth of what matters most to me?  Snack? Breath? Release of a thought that’s got me bunched up and feeling sub-optimal? Service to/ reach out to someone else? Bath? Gratitude? Toe-wiggle? Cry/release? Stretch? Prayer? Sit Quietly?

There are so many choices, so many alternatives to gunning the engine and pushing harder into the hardness, continuing to jam this life into the shape my smaller self would envision. I had no idea.  Now I do.  What a relief! What a joy!  I’m gonna keep going.  

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