“It takes great courage and discipline to live with an open heart.”
It takes great courage and discipline to live with an open heart.
We all need to feel more joy in our lives, in our hearts in a time in history where there are so many unknowns, so much aloneness in isolation, so much divide, so many verbal attacks on each other, so many lies, so much Truth being uncovered, so much fear. And so many of us frozen in that fear.
Let’s face it, it is a hell of a lot easier to close ourselves down when we disagree with someone, when we have been hurt or disappointed, when we can’t make sense of what is happening all around us.
It takes great courage and discipline to live with an open heart. I have a life practice of “being” with myself through whatever comes my way. I choose to stay present - present with myself; present to what is.
I choose to not turn to something or someone to numb out - this means, I don’t drink, drug, eat, Netflix, or rage at; to change my state of mind.
I choose to self-soothe in non-destructive ways. Over the years, I have discovered a ton of great ways, my tried-and-true.
Read until the end to find out my secret.
Here’s my four pillars for living with an open heart...
Lean in to the hard stuff.
Do you got YOU?
Stop leaving your health, your well-being, your happiness, your joy to something outside of you - another person, institution, a future event.
Trust YOU first, and most.
Trust in a source greater than you. For some, this is God, Great Spirit, Universe, higher self. What you call out to isn’t as important as, that you call out - ask for help, guidance, reassurance. Then listen and watch and graciously receive. Give thanks, and ask some more.
Seek to understand.
Do you listen with your heart or your ego?
Stop working up a rebuttal.
Stop judging.
Listen to connect. Deeply listen. It is safe for you to simply listen. Close lips. Surrender your ego. Open ears, heart and mind. Deeply listen.
Free yourself from your self-imposed prison.
Do you vacillate between stuffing and unleashing your pent up emotions?
Stop the madness.
Stop hurting yourself and others with toxicity.
All your emotions are welcome. Reserve a place for them. They bring forth powerful messages.
Speak with a coach or therapist. Ask for help.
Use those feelings and emotions, the anger, shame, etc., as a catalyst for your betterment.
Make joy your permanent residence.
Do you know the difference between happiness and joy?
Stop chasing happiness. Happiness is fleeting, based on outward situations, circumstances and things.
Turn inward and cultivate joy.
Joy can be present when there is deep sadness. It’s referred to as mourning in joy, it is a heartbreaking-open experience. I personally experienced this sitting in the church during my Gram’s funeral service.
Joy is our North Star. Joy breeds deep peace, even in times of uncertainty.
I literally wrote a book on J-O-Y.
It is a 28-day guide to fuel your joy. It’s free on my website. It’s my message in a bottle - my gift to humanity.
Like I said, it’s FREE. I made it for you because here’s the sacred truth and magic of joy; joy shared is doubled.
My life purpose is to scatter joy. Have you discovered what your soul came here to share?
Grab your copy, it's on my homepage. Fuel Your Joy.
