Inviting in Joy
Being open and attentive to it, joy can be found in the simple moments of being, in a cup of morning joe, in a belly laugh and in the sweetness of a smile. In this meditation, we explore ways to increase our joy by feeling sensations and saying beautiful well wishes to others and ourselves.
Getting comfortable in an upright position, I became aware of my body as a whole. Noticing where I was holding tension, I began telling myself soften on my out breath. After a few rounds of softening, I placed my awareness on my face. Forming a slight smile, I sensed how my eyes, cheeks, chin and lips changed to accommodate this smile. Sensing, I became grateful for the ability to smile. Scanning my body from my toes to my head, I noticed a sense of aliveness. Sensing this whole other world going on inside, I sensed an awakened joy fill my heart and because of that, I noticed that my smile was getting slightly bigger on my face.
Changing from noticing sensations in my body to becoming aware of someone I love dearly, visions of my mom entered my mind. Thinking back on a time when I saw her smiling and laughing, I felt so much happiness and joy for her! It was so much fun to see her enjoying herself! Seeing her laughing and smiling, I wished her many more joyful moments like this in her life. By now, my smile had turned into an outright grin.
To relish in these joyful moments, I looked around in my surroundings for a time after listening, watching birds and squirrels go about their business. Inviting in joy and sensing it all around me, I am reminded that life is truly what you make of it! Namaste 🙏🏻❤️☮️
