Awakening Joy
Today, in our last newsletter of the year, I’m focusing on the theme of awakening joy. While life is always filled with both boundless beauty and deep pain—and for healing and health we must allow ourselves to feel and process all of our emotions—one of the biggest lessons my father continues to teach me is the power of consciously choosing joy. Below is one of his affirmation poems—wisdom he truly lived by:
I recently read a fascinating article about how people either savor or dampen their positive emotional experiences, and the significant impact these behaviors have on their overall happiness and wellbeing.
Happy New Year from Henry and Leo!
Studies found that some people dampen their positive experiences by suppressing their emotions, usually out of shyness, modesty or fear. Being distracted dampens positive experiences, as does focusing on the negative aspects of a basically positive experience, or thinking about what could have made it better. “Negative mental time travel”—negative reminiscence and/or negative anticipation of future consequences—is also a dampener.
Researchers explained that behaviors that increase and prolong positive emotional experiences include being fully present and appreciative, communicating and celebrating positive events with other people, and what they refer to as “positive mental time travel”—vividly remembering or anticipating positive events.
To experience the power of positive mental time travel directly, we’re happy to welcome in 2023 by sharing a short Take a Moment micro-meditation called Awaken Joy. Katie, the mindfulness teacher who created it, sees this practice as a “tap on the shoulder to invite you to turn toward the brightness in your life.”
I plan to spend time on New Year’s eve engaging in positive mental time travel to savor the joys the of 2022 more fully, and sending wishes for a healthy and happy New Year to each and every one of you!
