The Joy Diet – Week 1 – Nothing

The first item on the “menu” of The Joy Diet this week was “Nothing”.  The instructions were to find a time each day this week to do NOTHNG for at least 15 minutes.  Some options were to just sit quietly and allow our bodies to relax or to do some repetitive, mindless physical activity.  We were to just detach from our thoughts, visualize them perhaps as if they were floating on ticker tape or in a waterfall, or something similar.  In other words to just let go and observe, rather than all ourselves to remain “busy” all day.

To me, a regular meditator, this sounded easy, because it is really a form of meditation or relaxation, which I do fairly regularly.  It is a very natural state, and one with which I am familiar.  However, I did find that I actually missed doing this 2 days this past week because I simply kept myself so busy all day that it totally slipped my mind!  On another day or 2, I didn’t remember it until it was almost time to go to bed.  On those days, however, I did do my 15  minutes of nothing even though I was a little concerned that it would keep me from falling asleep.

On the contrary, however, it actually helped me fall asleep faster and easier than I usually am able to.  In general this past week that I have been focusing on taking this 15 minute “nothing” break, I have felt more rested, relaxed, and happier.  It has been noticeably so.

I have also been thinking all week about what it is that makes me feel joyful.  Recently I have started doing “morning pages” – a la Julia Cameron in The Artist’s Way.  This is simply writing by hand in a journal stream-of-consciousness thoughts without editing or censoring it.  So, with my first cup of coffee in the morning, I get out my journal I keep for this purpose (just a spiral-bound lined notebook), I write non-stop for 3 full pages.  I don’t care  whether or not anyone else will see what I have written or not.  In fact, most of the time, no one else will. 

I do want to share this time because part of what I wrote is relevant to this study of The Joy Diet and what I noticed this week.  I was thinking about what makes me joyful, and I had a striking experience this week that really stood out for me.  I was watching an episode of the TV show Psych, which I find silly and amusing a lot of the time. 

One little interchange between Psych, the main character, and his partner in their “psychic” business really set me to giggling and chuckling out loud and uncontrollably. So much so, that tears were rolling down my face, and I noticed afterword, how great I felt after having laughed so much.  It was an amazing release and it made me feel so happy to be alive and so… joyful!  It was a big “aha!” moment to realize that one of the things that brings me great joy is laughter!  It is definitely something I want to remember.

The last few days when I have done my 15 minutes of “nothing”, I  have felt so peaceful and warm and comfortable.  Almost like being in the womb.  There is no pain or discomfort and I feel so safe and supported.  I painted this little representation of how I feel to express how it feels to me.

The painting is done with acrylics and a wax resist on canvas.  You can see how safe and cushioned she is with love all around her, and bubbles of light and laughter.  Actually, I am not sure the painting is done yet, but I wanted to share it with you anyway.  If I change it substantially in the days and weeks to come, I can always show you again.

That’s about all for now.  I want to go see what all my other Joy Diet companions have done this week so far.  Until next time -

Creatively Yours In Spirit

Arlene

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