Following Your Joy

If you're like me when I first heard the concept of following your joy, my first thought was "Sure, must be nice to live in a world full of joy! But I'm in the REAL WORLD!"
However, there's so much more to the concept of living life following joy and inspiration. I have begun this practice and it's results are amazing!

We've been conditioned to believe that hard work equals success. If we just keep grinding, pushing, and working hard, we will have the life we've always wanted. We feel like there's always more to get done, another promotion to get, and the only way to achieve those things is through hard work. What if there was another way to achieve happiness and abundance, and it was right in front of you?

In addition to being taught that hard work equals success, we're also taught that engaging in activities that bring us joy and inspiration are luxuries, a waste of time. However, the complete opposite is true.  
In fact, the harder we work and the more effort we put into something- if we're not inspired by it- we become less productive because we are less connected to Source energy. Source can also be referred to as our truth, God, a higher power, etc. 

Reconnecting to those things that bring us joy and inspiration will keep us creative and inspired. For example, if you find joy and inspiration in running but you have convinced yourself you don’t have time- go for a run and reconnect with your highest self. You will find that this activity will result in you feeling inspired and creative- therefore being more productive!  Making time for play, joy, pleasure, and inspiration are just as important- if not more important- than grinding away at activities that are completely uninspiring to you. 

The things that bring us joy are unique to us.

It's not uncommon for us to downplay our gifts by thinking that anyone can do them, but that's only because they come so naturally to us. The truth is, we all have special gifts that are completely unique to us. Sure there are plenty of public speakers, but only YOU can explain concepts you are passionate about in your own unique way.  And if public speaking is your life's purpose, there are people out there who need to hear from you and only you.

Joy and inspiration also provide us with wisdom. They provide us signs along the way that we are on the right path to your highest and greatest good. For example, someone may find great joy and inspiration in baking, while baking seems completely boring to another person. That is a key towards the baking lover's inspiration, and guidance for the non-baker also!  Sometimes learning what is NOT our true path is just as important as learning our next step towards our truth. 

Have you ever been so engrossed in an activity that you lost track of time? That's a great indication that that activity connects you to your truth! 

Connecting with your joy and inspiration is a practice, and most of us live so disconnected from our joy that we may not even know where to begin.  As with all practices, we will start small. Reconnect with yourself as a child- what did you love to do? Play pretend, color, sing, dance? Now take time today to make that happen. Even if it's belting out a tune in your car or dancing completely free in your home.

​This is a powerful concept, and I wish you all of the joy and inspiration in the world!