When Stacy and I decided to go on our Retreat, we both had our own intentions for the weekend. Mine was to hold the feelings of happiness and the vibrations of joy in my body and mind for extended periods of time. The point of the exercise was to get comfortable with higher vibrations. I had been use to living in a political climate that seemed to be a bit lower in frequency and happiness was becoming a fleeting weird feeling, as of lately and I was not okay with that!
It was clear to me that I had some work to do! I needed to take responsibility for the energy I was bringing to my mind/body/spirit, the world and in my writing. This concerned me so greatly that I made the intention to make it a daily practice of holding myself accountable for the quality of my vibrations. I was determined to get comfortable with being joyful and content. Just like any other skill, if I want to be good at it, I knew I must practice.
The first morning we woke up on the boat, the sun was rising slowly, and the birds were singing as the water was rocking us gently. We observed nature’s beauty in our surroundings. I gave thanks to the Higher Power for the blessing to have a time out of the Minnesota winter and this helped to encourage my peace of mind. It was proving to be easy to be joyful just sitting on a boat, watching the morning come alive with my coffee as Stacy and I sat in silence. I smiled at the day before me, feeling up to the challenge of staying happy all day.
We were doing our best to be silent, to encourage ourselves to go within and seek the guidance we were looking for. It did help to encourage me to stand in my own truth. I found it was very liberating to not have to negotiate my feelings or compromise my state of mind; just for the sake of conversation. Then again, I also came to realize I process my feelings and come to a deeper understanding of my deep thoughts, when I can communicate and look for a different point of view. Sometimes we don’t see, what is plain as day to your loved ones.
As I sat there for hours, just watching nature and jotting down my thoughts in my notebook, I found I was increasingly joyful. I sat there smiling to myself, just for the joy of if it and because I could. If I could choose to be joyful just because, then I should be able to choose joy at any moment. Right?! Of course, you and I both know that isn’t always true. Our emotions can be very powerful, but the thing is, we can choose those too. We can choose to acknowledge the thoughts they bring us and then decide if they are true or just our subconscious bringing up old fears or worries.
When I give myself time to dig deeper into my reactions, I begin to understand. Stacy would help me see that my anger, was most times, just my initial reaction to being displeased. I don’t want to get worked up over things I cannot control, like politics. I am truly a lover and not a fighter. Because of this I must find a way to make a difference in the world that allows me to be love; not war. I also find myself wondering if “I am able to be this person if I pursue a political path?”
I know it was always up to me to bring light and joy to the room with me, when I walk in. I get to choose to be happy and share joy. Yet I worried about what others might think and put pressure on myself, that wasn’t necessary, when I was a candidate. This is a thing lots of people do, I suppose, when facing unfamiliar experiences. We tend make things worse, than they truly are, just because we fear the worst instead of expecting the best.
This was the whole point of my ‘holding happiness’ exercise! I want to retrain my brain to expect the best. To look for the joy in my life, every day. I am going to remind myself that it “is” safe to be happy. I am worthy of being happy and I have every reason to be happy. So I would like to start enjoying it! I have been blessed to see my life, in a different light, after a joyous and crazy experience that kept me away from what truly matters to me. I can finally see the blessings in my extraordinary yet ordinary life and feel the joy it truly brings.
Life gives you lessons all the time if you are able to see them. I can see that I have a choice now and I choose joy. Every day I am doing my best to be joy, to be love and to be the best me. I don’t have to make it harder than it is. All I must do is make a choice to be grateful and joy will follow. I don’t have to be on a boat and in Florida to be joyous! I realize, all I must do, is consciously let joy in!
To do this, I have started a new practice. Every morning before I get up, I give thanks and I wait until I find the vibration of joy. I stay there until I feel it and then I hold it and send it out into the world before I can get out of bed. Affirmations that help me get into this vibration are “I am love. I am joy. I am light.” I also think of who I love and even use cuddling my dogs, to help me feel those good vibes!
I am not a morning person, but this practice has helped me embrace the start of the day a bit better. It is basically a short, purposely powerful meditation; that helps start my day with love and joy. Assisting me to be the best me I can be as soon as my feet hit the floor. It has been working wonders. I hope you try it!
I am so thankful for the blessing of our short Adventure Sister Retreat. Stacy and I always have such powerfully healing experiences when we get to spend extra time together. Thanks to our visits and going within, I can see where I needed the help. We are truly soul sisters helping each other grow. I am blessed to have such a dear friend that loves me just as I am.
I am a perfectly imperfect practitioner of joy!
Oh, joy!
Wishing you an abundance of blessings and joy!
Love to you all Adventurers!
With love,
Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister
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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister
- Photo taken in Cassadaga, Florida
Emy Minzel 