A few weeks back I wrote a post about Listening To Your Heart. In that post, I had mentioned that I had lost my joy and was trying to find it again. Having lost my joy, I had gained (or found!) extra weight. Funny how you lose one thing, then gain something else. And for me, I had traded joy in cooking, eating, training with friends, and basic joy in life for some extra weight. Which brought me further away from my joy and more into self-lathing! When a friend of mine suggested I look at it as this trade I made, I felt ready to make a change and regain my joy.
I want to lose this extra weight I had gained!
Funny, now a month later, I am a few pounds lighte
r yet not quite where I really want to be. But I have gotten an answer from the Universe to answer my request to find joy.
I asked to get more training partners. I now meet Sharon at her gym and lift weights with her. I look forward to those mornings, as it is a highlight for the week. And I have gotten stronger and getting less out of shape. (Yes, I had gotten out of shape!)
I started doing yoga more regularly which also brings me joy. It grounds me and helps me stay calm in a world of constant action. Some days I have done two classes!
I met Steve at the gym while doing my balancing exercises in the weight room. He was wearing tennis shorts, so I a
sked him if he played. He was recovering from surgery but was given the clearance to hit the next week. I recall how I just love tennis. Always have since I learned it when I was 14. I have played on and off, but every time I get back to it, I just love, love, love it. And funny, meeting him corresponded with my request to find more joy. And I have found my joy for sure in tennis as I spent almost 90 minutes the other day and it seemed like less than 20! That is one way you know that is an activity is right for you as time just floats by effortlessly.
And then I stepped out of my comfort zone and went to a speed dating class. I actually met someone very sweet there. He went knowing I was going and went just to meet me. I thought before I went “I cannot meet anyone just sitting at home”, so I went to do something different and fun. It was fun. And who knows, this may also be another way for me to find joy – the joy of a relationship.
We can find our joy if we ask and seek it. Taking a step back and reflect on what it is you that really brings you joy, and go find it. It usually doesn’t just come to you. It can, like my tennis partner. But you have to put yourself out there. You have to be patient, too as these things come to you when you are truly ready for it. If I had met Steve 4 months ago, I would not have been ready to play tennis and embrace it like I have now. I tried yoga earlier and just had weird pressure in the new hip joint. I was still not moving right!
I also have a cyclist I will be riding with twice a week in the early mornings. This was a real surprise as I have been seeking a morning training partner. But I asked, and so one appeared! I am going to find my joy with more training partners which also excites my competitiveness. I am an athlete. I love movement. I love the stillness I find in movement. But I find joy when I can share it with others. (now if only the weather would warm up! Winter is dragging a wee too long this year!)
The other realization I have made while finding my joy again in activities that bring me joy is that I actually no longer care that I have a few extra winter weight pounds. I feel better. I feel stronger. I feel happy. I can feel my joy.
I now know that as I continue to find more joy, the weight will leave as it will not longer serve me as it did this winter as my companion.