Find Your Joy #4

The more time I invest in finding my joy, the more joy I find. Many of you have reached out with hugs and support - which I have truly appreciated, and many others have admitted to feeling much the same way. Even a trainer colleague of my own trainer wrote a blog post about how important it is to take time off to breath and reset. I have passed the point of feeling guilty about the break I am taking, and each day I feel more and more energized.

On Sunday morning, I slept in until 7:30 - the first bell at the school where I teach rings at 7:15, so 7:30 is really late for me. I spent the morning making pancakes, doing laundry, and tidying up my house. Rather than feel as though it were a chore I could barely stand to do, I did it cheerfully with a renewed sense of energy. When that was done, I made myself a cup of tea and did some last minute Christmas shopping. Not once did I think about zoning out on the sofa in front of the TV.

By the time I was finished, my kitchen in particular looked pretty shiny.

Over the past few weeks, I have worked very hard to overcome what is no doubt a bit of depression. I've done that by taking some pressure off of myself and by giving. It sounds so counter-intuitive that by giving we will feel filled, but I have found it to be true. The more I've given - whether it be my time, money, or just a kind word, the happier I have felt. There are many studies that prove this to be true. When we give, we feel happy, our blood pressure is lowered, we create a sense of trust and cooperation that strengthens our ties to others, we feel a sense of gratitude, and giving is contagious. When one person gives, the next person is inspired to pass it forward.* 

My husband surprised me with flowers on Friday.

I am feeling more and more eager to get in the saddle, and I have been riding, but if I don't ride the rest of this week, or even this weekend, I know it will be just fine. Izzy won't forget what he's learned, Speedy won't feel neglected, and I won't become any less of a rider than I already am.

I will continue to give myself a break until I no longer need to, and in doing so, I am sure to find my joy.