The Joy Prescription

Evolution Resolutions - Conscious, Culinary Delight!

I love words. They're so open to interpretation. Aren't we all? (wink)

So, "evolution" may bring assorted imagery to mind. The reason I put these two words together - evolution and resolution - is that I hope and pray that each year my own self-evaluation (and resulting "resolutions") will contribute to my own evolution! Hope so, at least!

This year I didn't sit down on the 31st with pen in hand, projecting months (or years) into the future. Instead (and it wasn't even actually on the 31st OR the 1st as I recall), I looked at the simple, yet important things I have added to my routines over the last couple of years, to see what else needs to be added.

Some folks may look at projects or major accomplishments when doing a self-review. And, if you look at the bigger picture, I guess getting a book out into the world is something worth noting (if you haven't seen my book yet, please take a look (The Prescription for Joy). In a strange way, for me those things are "check it off the big list" kinds of things. Strategies for self-improvement - evolutionary change - is in a different category.

So - I've finally made exercising a habit now. Of course I could always do more! But, in goal-setting, resolution-making, we know goals need to actually be attainable, correct? So, for now, being consistent and keeping up with the habits I've already established is goal enough for me in that category! I may throw in a little more dancing...and/or "fun" movement (in the privacy of my own home!) in addition to the more "routine" exercise. That's okay - it'll flow as it will.

And - I've made a habit of taking supplements - finally! Oh yes, and I take my lunch to work every day and bring a thermos of green tea, brewed at home. Those are all well-established habits now. Whew! And it wasn't easy creating all those supposedly healthy habits!

So - what are some new resolves for my own revolutionary evolution THIS year? 

Mindful eating. Yes, that's got to be it. Mindful eating.

I vacillate greatly from being very conscious to being practically unconscious when consuming consumables. Soaking up a culinary experience is a gift to onesself. Taking time to enJOY every bite, every texture, every distinct aroma can actually contribute to overall satisfaction in the whole eating experience. And this can and usually does contribute to maintenance of a healthy weight. Of course, I'm still working toward my healthy weight. I guess you could say I'm a "weight watcher in recovery." (I'm a lifetimer with Weight Watchers, by the way.)

So, for me, being mindful, intentional, and conscious about my food choices (see section #2 in my book!) is a good thing and something to aspire to on a daily basis. Anyone want to join me?

For some (including me, since I'm a numbers kinda gal - love numbers!), this may include calorie counting. It also may include (as it does for me), actually writing down what we eat. That often helps, too. When you have to put it to paper, it creates more of an awareness of portion size, etc. since quantifying it goes along with writing it down.

So - here's to those of us who are being more mindful of our food and drink intake this year!

The above picture I took is of a sweet little gal (literally), who is obviously enJOYing her cotton candy. Ahhhhh! Here's to true, conscious culinary delight!

Positive, Peaceful Presence Pleases

Because I’m in a helping profession, and have been my whole career, my default setting, so to speak, is “to give.” And, not surprisingly, like most folks in my profession, making sure our tanks are fueled up with adequate nourishment is something often – sadly – neglected.

But, I’m the joy rx girl, right? I’m good at it. Honestly, it comes and goes. Some days are better than others. Some times of year are better than others. Some days of the week…and so it goes.

One thing I contemplated recently was “presence.” I’m a spiritual person – a big believer in the Holy Spirit. I experience the presence of the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. That’s an important factor in my faith journey. Then, I started thinking about “presence” in the human sense. Being present with/for one another is important – and of great value to each of us in this human experience.

I’m also a person who is very aware of “energies.” Consequently, a positive, peaceful presence does please me more than a frantic, negative, agitated presence. Because I’m in a giving profession, it may seem out of balance at times – actually a lot of the time. Perception can help or hinder the experience, however. In my recent contemplation of “presence” I’ve decided to literally begin taking in the positive presence of others consciously.

So, I’ve added another dimension to my human experience – just by thinking about it. Cool, huh? So, instead of feeling un-fulfilled or “un-filled up,” I’m choosing to receive positive energy from others, simply by being in their positive presence! 

Since I believe that the more love you give, the more love you have to give, I’m choosing to look at the positive exchange of “good vibes” as a gift to be exchanged between caring individuals, whether words or gestures are shared, whether hugs or “I love yous” are exchanged. I’ll give and I’ll receive. It’s a good thing. Happy New Year! Or, as our sweet little girl once said, “Happy near you.” Good vibes, good energy, good presence. A gift given. A gift received. I choose to perceive the coming of 2011 as a gift. Want to join me?

Food & Drink Can Nourish Body & Soul

Our physical self is an interesting apparatus, isn't it? You put food and drink in and get solids and liquids out. A complete cycle, isn’t it? And, not to get too graphic, but the quality and quantity of the input definitely affects the output as well.

Since I have that overanxious genetic tendency, my gastrointestinal tract gets the brunt of any mood fluctuations I experience. So, if the juices are a little over-acidic, etc., or if too much fiber hits my gut at once…you get the drift now, right? It’s not pleasant – in any number of ways!

That’s when I have to remind myself of how helpful it is to exercise a bit of self-control. I hesitate to even use the word “control,” recognizing how little “control” any of us actually has over anything. One thing we do have control over, however, is what goes in (and out) of our mouths.

Voila – eating disorders! Overeating and under-eating are often symptomatic of feeling “out of control” in one’s life.  In my humble career (as a psychotherapist), I end up referring to the “c” word (i.e., “control”) so much that I automatically cup my hand to form a “c” when saying it. Of the two extremes, I usually tend more toward the overeating end of it. (I’m a card-carrying Lifetime Member of Weight Watchers, though not currently at my goal weight, I’ll admit). I’ve been up and down, in and out of managing (“controlling”?) my overeating for about forty years, give or take.

Why this topic today? Perhaps because I’m currently at a spiritual retreat, which is emphasizing body, mind, and spirit – the holistic approach to life. We are whole human beings and need to attend to our physical selves, giving good, positive, loving attention to our daily needs for healthy nutrition and exercise. It matters. We matter. We all need to love ourselves enough to pay attention to our bodies, listening to those cues, as subtle as they sometimes may be. So, for the moment (which is all we have, right?), let’s pay attention, tune in, and allow what we bring into our bodies to nourish us fully and well.

Am I "spoiled" because I have air conditioning?

It's hot. Call it global warming or just the end of July in the south. Whatever you call it, it's hot! And, it's hard to stay cool unless you really do get to be inside a building with air conditioning. I don't know about you, but I sometimes take things like AC for granted. And if we take AC for granted, then I guess we take electricity for granted, too!

Many of us really are spoiled, so to speak, in America (right now, with unemployment rates still high, that's probably seriously up for discussion!). I used the word "spoiled" the other day in a context where it seemed to hurt someone's feelings. I guess "blessed" sounds better, feels better, than spoiled. Another word that's being used more and more recently is "indulged." My humble opinion is that a lot of us are over-indulged.

Okay, I guess a question would be - how do we decide who is and who isn't spoiled, over-indulged, or blessed? It's all a matter of degree, perception...experience! For those with one pair of shoes, someone with three may seem spoiled or over-indulged (or blessed!). For the one who has three pairs of shoes, someone with fifty may seem spoiled or over-indulged (or blessed!).

One of the ingredients of my joy prescription is "accept who you are." It doesn't mean you have to always be 100% content with every little thing about your life where nothing can ever be better. But it does help with the whole peace of mind thing if you don't constantly look at yourself as lacking and the other person as better off.

We raised an only child with the intention of NOT raising a spoiled only child. Fortunately, she turned out pretty good! Can we take the credit? Who knows?! Perhaps she grew up despite our best efforts! We can take a deep breath, maybe even sigh in gratitude for the wonderful woman she is. Blessed? Yes. She's blessed, and we are blessed to have had the opportunity to participate in her growing up.

And, as I warm up with pride, maybe I'll crank up the AC - just a little! Maybe 77 versus 79 to "treat" myself. Or not!

Spoiled? Privileged? Blessed? It's all about perception. Be the best you can be. Accept who you are - spoiled or deprived. You are who you are.

Adventures into Empowerment

Life truly is an adventure, isn't it?! Each new breath, each new day has the potential for life-giving blessings. Or - not! If you happen to be one of the "glass-half-empty" kinda folks, you may be more focused on what's going wrong instead of what's going right. Well, I'm here to tell you that's not healthy! Not physically, emotionally, spiritually healthy. Sorry to break the news to you. But, honestly, I doubt that it's a surprise to you, now, is it?

I knew a guy once who identified himself as a "recovering pessimist." He was optimistic, now, wasn't he? About being able to make the big switch from negative to positive, that is. That's being optimistic, if you ask me!

I personally am a "flaming" optimistic (as in extremely...) myself. But I also realize that some of us are "wired" one way or another...actually I believe we all come into the world with genetic programming. Our environment influences just how extremely one way or another we slide/fall/turn...

I'm not giving you the green light to blame everything on genetics or your parents... Instead, I encourage folks to look at their background and their genetic programming as a way of expanding their understanding of how they got to where they are. As your understanding of your past increases, your ability to "own" your own present and your own future does so as well. It can be empowering. And that's what it's all about, isn't it? About empowering ourselves and others.