When life dishes you lemons 🍋 Simple exercises to boost joy

Have you ever had a moment where you felt the world was just against you? Perhaps it felt you were in front of one of those automatic baseball launchers and you were just trying to cross without getting hit.

“I can’t take anymore,” you may have said to yourself. “Why can’t it be easier?” you may have screamed up to the heavens (out loud or in your mind).

What gives? And what is the point in this difficulty and suffering?

Answer: don’t hit me…the universe is pushing you to break free.

“Break free of what?” you may ask in indignation (you deserve any anger, remember it helps create change).

Of the conditioning that it can’t be easy. That you aren’t worthy of feeling good. That it has to be hard.

“I’ve certainly had the feeling that life had been too good, and it was time for something bad to happen.” This is a true statement from a family member’s journal after a difficult medical diagnosis. She was honest enough with herself to put her deep thoughts into words. Most of us don’t realize this conditioning is there.

Whoa.

Well, if you are afraid you’ll get punished any time you feel good, do you think your body is going to manifest health? Heck no! In this case, it’s downright dangerous to be healthy, to feel happy.

Let’s get a little more real.

Have you ever been on a vacation and all the sudden, everyone is angry, frustrated, or otherwise not happy? Perhaps you can’t decide what to do, perhaps kids aren’t behaving, perhaps your car breaks down or the tent is filled with water. I have! And it’s usually just after an amazing, joyous day or two or three. We have to put the lid on too much joy and goodness.

So how do we get out of this conundrum?

We have to increase our tolerance for goodness and feel worthy of feeling good.

I invite you to clear your mind, take a couple of deep breaths, and picture an amazing vacation or a day of feeling great (high energy, no physical or mental symptoms). What comes up for you? Do you feel empowered? Do you feel ‘that’s not possible for me’, do you feel an emotion coming up or a sensation in your body? Just notice what comes up without judgement and allow it to be there.

If it’s emotion, let it move out. If it’s a sensation, hold it in your awareness gently until it releases. You are removing this blocking energy by doing this simple exercise. If you can’t do this or get stuck, contact me and let’s chat.

And the next time you feel good, lean into it. Take 15-30 seconds to really feel the joy of it. Don’t let yourself be distracted by negative thoughts, the dishes in the sink, or the bills you need to pay. Just feel the joy for a few moments. And this will increase your tolerance for feeling good.

Joy is our birthright. Are you ready to claim yours?