Where Is Your Energy Flowing?

Recently I shared with you a reading and reflection exercise on JOY. 

Did you listen? What did the reflection exercise reveal to you?

This writing is a continuation of noticing where your energy is flowing. As some of you know, I had the privilege of spending the weekend at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health for a Rest & Relaxation Retreat (pictured left). During this time I attended a workshop on "Aligning Intentions with Action". The workshop was a powerful reminder that many of us expend our precious energy on a priority list of things/people/activities that simply don't nourish, feed, or bring us joy. For example, self-care rituals like massage, meditation and yoga may deeply nourish us, yet these activities are at the bottom of the list, or not on the list at all.

Why/how does this happen? Many reasons! For now the invitation is to first take the exercises from last week and notice what specifically brings you joy/nourishes you. Second, begin re-organizing your list of priorities to align with what brings you joy.
Third, take small, consistent actions on the re-organized list.

For example, perhaps mindfulness is important to you. One small action you might take in this direction would be pausing for 5 breaths before each meal. This will help create mindfulness about how the food tastes and perhaps even how it makes you feel (think food-mood connection...it's real).

Once you "master" pausing before eating, perhaps add a pause and 5 breaths at transition times throughout your day. These times might be when you: wake up, get in your car/transportation, arrive at work, a meeting or social outing, come home, get into bed and anytime in between.

Remember - lasting change happens with small steps done consistently. 

If you want to learn more about energy, which I consider our #1 asset, read more here.

Have fun with this process of discovery and your decision to make JOY a priority. Give yourself permission...I promise it's well worth the effort.

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