TOP 10 TIPS FOR JOY

It is easy to get caught up in our materialistic society that equates feeling joyful and happy in life with acquiring material possessions. If we just have that new home, new car, new dress, etc, then we will be filled with joy...... or will we? When we do manage to purchase any of these material things, why is the associated joy and happiness usually so short-lived?

The answer is simple - the Heart and Soul are still lacking in Joy, only the mind or ego has temporary satisfaction until it needs the next 'fix' of obtaining more material possessions.

My work and passion is to help you awaken to more Heart and Soul Joy in your life, in simple, free or low-cost ways to make your Heart and Soul sing and feel truly alive.

My favourite Top 10 Tips to make your Heart and Soul sing with Joy:
1. An Attitude of Gratitude and Appreciation - Start and end every day by making a list in your mind or on in a jou
al of at least 5 things you are grateful for, no matter how small. It may be something as simple as your soft, warm bed or the sounds of birds outside. As you regularly focus more on all the good things you already have in your life your vibration will raise, allowing you to feel more joy in your daily life.

2. Spend Time in Nature - Go to a beautiful place in nature, such as a local park, garden, natural bushland, mountains, lake or seaside. Tune in to the energies of the trees, birds, native animals and water. Enjoy watching a sunrise or sunset in quiet contemplation or with friends. Standing in sunshine, feel energetic dross being transmuted from your energy field. Allow the energy of tall trees to drain any negativity from you.

3. Watch Children or Animals at Play - Find yourself totally involved in the moment as you watch the spontaneity and free flowing of emotions of children or animals at play. To distance yourself from any worrying thoughts, cuddle, play with or watch a happy animal. Their curiosity and delight engross you instantly.

4. Daily Laughter - Laughing exercises more muscles in the face than anything else and feels so good you just want to do more. Watch or read something funny on a regular basis to uplift your mood. A good belly laugh is a great way of relieving pent-up stress. Practise laughing for 10 minutes a day. Even if you don't think you have anything funny in your life, just watch yourself trying to laugh and you will find the ridiculousness of your attempt will trigger you into genuine laughter. Consider joining a local laughter group.

5. Fun Times with Friends - Schedule in regular time to reconnect with your social network, whether it be by phone, email, or going out together. Good friends can be our free therapist, our laughter buddy and a chance to just relax and switch off from daily challenges.

6. Reward Yourself for Achieving Goals - Each time you reach a pre-determined goal, no matter how small, reward yourself with a special treat that nourishes mind and body - perhaps a movie, going out to dinner, catching up with a friend, gulit-free downtime or visiting a special place. For the effort you have given out you are now allowing yourself to receive back, which is a powerful act of self-love.

7. Let Your Inner Child Play - It is too easy to believe that as an adult you must always be serious, disciplined and responsible. How boring! What does your inner child, that playful part inside you, want to do to have some harmless fun? Is it swinging in the park, dancing, watching cartoons, playing a game, eating a favourite food from childhood? Relax, let you inner child out to play on a regular basis and feel the joy in your life.

8. Forgive Yourself and Others - The longer you hold onto unforgiveness of those you perceive have wronged you, the more the corrosive effect it has on your mind and physical body. You have already been hurt by someone else, do you now want to compound that hurt by damaging yourself emotionally or physically? Chances are the person who has wronged you has forgotten all about it, so the only person you are hurting by holding onto unforgiveness is yourself. Practise forgiveness on a regular basis, knowing that the gift of forgiveness is for yourself. Forgive yourself for all the hurt and other emotions you have been holding onto that have been damaging you and then visualise bundling it all up and letting it go.

9. Eat Nourishing Food as close to its natural state as possible - What we eat influences our moods and behaviours far more than most of us realise. For instance, many people feel heavy, lethargic and energetically-flat after eating wheat-based foods. Eating chocolate can give you a quick high, which is quickly replaced by mild depression, causing you to seek another chocolate 'fix'. The conglomeration of additives, artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives found in the majority of packaged foods challenge our good mood and our immune system. Endeavour to eat fresh food and prepare meals yourself with basic, recognizable ingredients, organic if possible.

10. Try Something New - What have you had in the back of your mind that you would like to try - maybe painting, salsa dancing, enrolling in a personal development course or anything else that catches your interest? Just do it, let your creative juices flow and feel your spirits soar!