What’s in the Way of Your Joy?
This may seem like an odd question in this season that emphasizes joy. But perhaps you’ve noticed that in the midst of a party, a family gathering or even a firework’s display that something inside you puts a limit on the amount of joy you experience.
As younger beings we were often told to put a lid on our joyful expression.
This early limiter on our unfettered joy, our true exuberant expression allowed us to get along with others in a multitude of environments. And at the same time limited our natural born joy.
We’ve been taught to behave or adhere to a set of cultural rules to fit into our surroundings, whether it was our families, school, community or the culture at work.
There is a pervasive belief that to function successfully, the full joyful soulful expression that is ours is not acceptable.
As we age/mature- we learn to put our natural sense of joy through a lot of filters based on years of these habits and beliefs. When we stop our joy, we put ourselves back in the box of our limitations; the habits of depressing and suppression where we can make ourselves sick.
We can have thoughts like,
“Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have done that, what would other’s think,”
or…
“Everyone around me seems kind of subdued, I need to keep quiet.”
When we become aware of the joy limiters, we can liberate them. If we notice and feel the tiniest tremors of joy- will make them stronger and make us healthier.
JOY is energizing when we really let go into it. Holding it back drains us of vital life force. What we all need right now is more JOY, and for all of us to stop putting a limiter on it.
How are you limiting Joy?
What are you willing to do to be more joyful and spread joy?
