Recently, I introduced the JoyInciters, a collection of simple practices which I use regularly to increase the level of happiness and joy in my life. The first one was what I called my Thanksgiving Book, or gratitude journal. Have you started one? No? Well maybe get one going this weekend. And remember to tell me about it.
Now please allow me to tell you briefly about a second practice, which is SO very simple but SO much fun and, I believe, helps create a very healthy pattern of thinking. MUCH of being joyful in life has more to do with our habitual thinking patterns, or mindsets–more so even than our actual circumstances. And, as I’m sure you have noticed, that little person inside our minds sometimes has very negative things to say:
“I could never do a class project as incredible as the ones Dr. Saye showed us in class!” (Hello, 1102 students.)
“She didn’t say ‘hi’ because she doesn’t like me.”
“My ears are way too big.” (Okay sorry, I was looking in the mirror. Now back to today’s post.)
“I’m not living up to my potential.”
“My butt is so fat.”
What JoyInciter #2, Walking Into, proposes is powerful: concentrate on what you desire to come into your life. Here’s how you do it. The vast majority of us walk, right? (And even if you’re in a wheelchair, etc., the concept of “moving into” still works.) The next time you are walking across campus, or walking to lunch, or going to the bathroom, or literally going for a walk, try this: IN YOUR MIND SAY TO YOURSELF WHAT YOU ARE WALKING INTO–OR WHAT YOU DESIRE TO BE WALKING INTO.
Here’s what I said to myself as I walked from my office to my car to drive home:
“I am walking into greater and greater levels of happiness in my life.”
“I am walking into a wonderful state of health and feeling good in my physical body.”
“I am walking into the perfect weight for my body.”
“I walk into financial prosperity.”
“I love walking into perfect harmony with my colleagues at work.”
“I am so excited to be walking into outrageous laughter at least once today.”
“It’s so cool to walk into each of my classes everyday and be on target, to enter into meaningful and fun interactions with my wonderful students.”
“I walk into a life of encouragement of every person with whom I come in contact.”
“I walk into feeling good, feeling good, feeling good, feeling good.” (Sometimes I even saying “feeling” when my left foot hits the ground, and “good” as my right foot descends. Sounds silly, I know, but it, well, makes me feel good.)
What does Walking Into do? It sets into motion several dynamic agendas: It allows us to become clearer about just what it is that we WANT or DESIRE. And clarity of intention is significant–we need a road map or GPS to help us get where we want to go. Second, it creates new tracks for our repetitive mindsets to “live in” and “move on.” Third, it just simply feels silly and fun. Finally, it causes our bodies, our BODIES to join forces with our minds to create the best versions of us possible.
Try it, even if it feels juvenile. Being childlike is refreshing. The nest time you must walk for a few minutes, WALK INTO THAT WHICH YOU DESIRE. Walk into it, and see how it feels. Okay bloggers, now tell me a few things you are walking into.
NealEnJoy 