I don’t know about you, but whenever I learn of new ways to raise my energy and vibration to the level of joy and harmony, I pay attention. Spending more time in joy not only feels good, it also means that I’m sending out those good vibes and affecting others in a positive way. The world is in need of good vibes!
Here are 3 fun ways to tune our inner dials to my favorite station, KJOY. Yes, mindfulness practice can be fun! I’ll be adding them to my mindfulness coach work.
1) The 20-second hug has been scientifically proven to decrease cortisol (stress hormones) and increase oxytocin (feel-good juice)! Those changes can last for several hours! Recently, I’ve put it to the test and I have to say the 20-second hug feels fabulous. Just a one note of caution – it’s a good idea to get permission first, otherwise there can be an awkward moment that has a very different feeling!
2) Petting a cat or a dog has the same effect as the 20-second hug. I’ve noticed that the longer I pet, stroke, or cuddle, the better it feels. I don’t have a pet right now, so I’ve been petting the dogs I meet on my walks. I get an extra boost in connecting with the owners, too. It’s fun to explain the effect of petting to the dog owners. They all give me this knowing smile and it’s a real joy-fest with a blissed-out doggie, too.
3) Commune with the plants in your garden or natural environment. It turns out talking to plants is not only for imaginative children. There is an actual exchange of energy between humans and plants – and not just when we eat our 5 daily servings of fruits and veggies. I recently enrolled in a garden design class and learned that studies show the life expectancy of those who garden is an average of 20 years longer! So, like I did as a child, I’m taking time to lie in the soft green grass, or sit under an old tree and look up at its strong, gnarled branches, tuning in to KJOY (and perhaps extending my life for many joyful years).
Brook Montagna, Spiritual Life Coach
2 Comments
Acknowledging the shadow is not done in comparments of time but as an ongoing experience that allows the individual to learn. It is an opportunity to revisit events in which the shadow dominated and dictated. This could be a time when one acted in a negative way that now provides a model of how to act differently with awakened consciousness.
Consider a past event that brings feelings of discomfort because of your behavior. Consider how you would feel if instead you had acted in the best interests of all concerned. Consider how you would feel if you chose to live mindfully in the now, fully aware of your actions and thoughts.Your shadow can be used as a guide to fine tune your awakened self.
We spend much of our life trying to resist rather than accept and let go. Letting go is easier. Letting go brings freedom. Letting go brings change. Let the shadow serve you to achieve this.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the shadow, Paula. It reminded me of
another way to tune into KJOY – bring a flashlight to bed at night and make
shadow puppets!