A friend of mine sent me this video. They did not have the source, but this boy does a great job articulating the importance of what we practice? Joy? Worry? Anger? For most of my life I practiced fear, anxiety. Always worried about when the next shoe would fall, fearing that if I made a mistake at work I would get fired and go broke. If my family would love me or not. If I would be able to keep earning the respect of colleagues customers family and friends. When I started doing my journaling a couple of years ago and checking in with what I was feeling every day, about 75% of the time, it was fear or anxiety. I was very good at that because that is what I practiced. The last 4 years, I have been practicing meditation. For the last 2 years, I have been practicing journalling, therapy, and gratitude, which brings joy. I have been practicing prayer which brings surrender and peace. My life feels completely different today. This Christmas I felt like the kid at Christmas with the simple joys of comfy house shoes, laughing my eyes out over board games with my family, and sharing the joy of all the gifts in the family. As I write this, I am at my brother’s house after having spend a great afternoon and evening connecting with my 6 and 8 year old nephews. This was after a wonderful, sweet visit with my parents the last few days where we had real and deep conversations, true connection, and lots of fun together. As I did several times today, I often catch myself with a big smile on my face and in my heart “for no reason,” simply experiencing joy. Just today it happened several times. I was enthralled by the snow sparkle show (sun reflecting off falling flakes) while I was running with my dad, amazed by the beauty of fresh flowers in the deep of winter, and overjoyed with the excitement my young nephews had when I surprised them picking them up from school. The daily practice of meditation, prayer, journaling, and especially gratitude, where I speak a few things I feel completely grateful for each morning and evening, has brought me to the place where almost all of my daily journals end with joy, peace or contentment. This year I hope you practice what you want to have. Enjoy this two minute movie and then let me know what you have been practicing and will now practice.
Have a great weekend!
Art
