Joyfully participating

“Participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.”
Jos Campbell

It is tricky for me to see that I have a choice. Especially when I am tired, distracted and overwhelmed. And because of my unconscious choices, I am often tired, distracted and overwhelmed. My daily practices are critical for me -- whether it is meditation, journaling, walking or writing. I need something to help me slow down to see the different paths... To make the joyful choices.

Holidays are the worst for slowing down. I have years of conditioning -- this is the time of running around. If there is spare time, my reflex is to bake 8 doz cookies or make my cards from scratch. So this is the time I have to increase my practices to meet the tsunami of activity. Then I can joyfully participate in the holidays.

Related to Happiness

"It is worth striving to get the right relationships between yourself and others, between yourself and your work, and between yourself and something larger than yourself. If you get these relationships right, a sense of purpose and meaning will emerge." ~Jonathan Haidt, conclusion of The Happiness Hypothesis

Which relationship(s) need attention?

After a very busy fall, my relationship to myself has eroded. Daily practices have become tattered, exercise eratic. At least now I don't think of this as hopeless or a sign of my failings as a person. It just is part of life. So I start up robust self-care once again. I know when I do this well, it cascades into every other relationship.

question of the week -- Dec 13

"I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it." ~Pablo Picasso

What do I need to learn how to do?

For a long time I wouldn't do something unless I was good at it. A serious impediment to learning. Somehow, I had a message in my head that if I was less than great, if I tried something and failed, I was a failure. So over the years I stopped playing tennis, drawing or learning guitar. I have unfinished articles and myths stacked in my digital files because a sophmore year writing teacher assured me I had no talent for writing. Now I am tired of that story. Why not let my flawed, not so great self show a bit more? Life will be more fun and I can learn a lot more that way.

Happiness on my mind

I am focusing the radio features on happiness the month of December. It is humbling. I had to change the words happiness/joy to well-being/contentedness. That felt more accessible. It is interesting to note each day when I have felt "happy". It is surprising, I find myself doing my days, unconscious of my state of well-being. You would think after focusing on gratitude in November I would.. what? be more consciously grateful? Maybe this is a case of those who can do, and those who are still learning do blogs and radio features...