I believe that when we have foundational pillars to live by that are strongly rooted within’ us, life can come from a place of balance. If we are knocked off our center through change or other forces within’ and around us, we can draw on one or more foundations to keep us functional in the middle of it all. We all have different foundations that keep us going. Here are mine and perhaps one, two, or maybe all of them will be the foundation to unlock more sustainable balanced joy in your life as well.
1.) An Exercise Method: This is number one. Wherever you go, you will have a practice you can do for at least an hour 3-5 times a week, that can keep you fit, move you into better health, and shift you into feeling balanced. It’s a discipline to keep you grounded in embodiment. An actual method that becomes a discipline. Yes you can do this with more spiritual mantras and meditations, but I find strengthening the body-mind connection while doing an embodied moving meditation keeps your whole system integrated and gets rid of free radicals attacking your system. It creates a buffer of health for all layers when done regularly. No matter what I go through in life, I practice Heart and Soul Method and Tracy Anderson Method (I do her method a few times a week for the weights. I them as I move into my 40’s). I feel I can buffer or process a lot while maintaining a level head. I control more of the channel I’m attuned to, with a gentle heart for myself and others.
2.) Learn How Your Body Processes Food and Information: Food is a denser form of light and information going into your system. Sometimes in order to put your system back into health, a greasy cheese burger (I recommend plant-based) and fries is better for you than a salad. Because sometimes I need to lower my vibration for well being. Of course in moderation. I’m not saying eat junk food whenever you want, what I am saying is know your system well. If I’m in low vibe, my meal can uplift me by adding a green juice. Strive for a primarily or all plant-based diet, then when things go rogue, you know how to soothe using plant medicine as a way to regulate. I’m vegan, but if I fall off the wagon a bit emotionally, I know that eating some cheese and olives with a little wine, will give me comfort. Or chocolate buttercups. Or a hearty pasta dish. Find a healthy nutritional way of eating that you can always come to for comfort, instead of bouncing all over the place to this diet and that diet etc. Read my blog on Food Concepts To Live By. A steady Exercise Method and Nutritional lifestyle is half of the battle for sustainable health.
3.) Who Is Your God?: We also need spiritual nutrition. We need the help of others spiritual support in order to do the things we want and to live the lifestyle we choose. I whole heartedly believe in that. I put God, omnipresent on a pedestal as being the energy in all things. As such, I treat everything around me as an expression of gods love. Not all of gods love perse loves me back in the way I would like to be loved, so I attune myself to the spirit that loves me for how I would desire to be loved. With respect, with integrity, with humor, with candor, with abundance, with wisdom, with generosity and sweetness. Then I attract more of that energy. When I know these things, if spirit or others come by that show me the opposite of that, I can humor it a bit, then “send it out with the laundry”. Pray to a god that loves and respects you, not tortures you mercilessly… don’t know how to do that? Go back to your exercise method and ask for gentle guidance on your mat during your moving meditation. I also go by the teachings of Jesus. There is a little devil in all of us, but I feel it can be used in a more moralistic way with healthy boundaries.
4.) Education and Learning: I love, love, love to read books and listen to podcasts. I love learning from others that respect me. I adore non-fiction and plays. I try to come to life as a beginner most of the time. I say “show me what I need to know right now”, it’s not always what I want to hear, but I get the messages to move forward in a direction that will support me. I don’t constantly want to be learning, but I do love it when I come across something that inspires me.
5.) Do Fun Things Often: Even if you don’t have much, fun things can be found. If nothing is fun or if you have done so many fun things nothing new is inspiring, go back to your exercise method on the mat and ask your god to lead you to fun again. Movies used to bring me a lot of joy, now that I have watched so many over 35 years… it’s just okay. It’s not as fun. I’m turning to books again, live theater, and traveling more to find more joy. Healthy sexual relations and self pleasure are fun. I used to go out with friends for conversation that brought me a lot of joy, then recently, it seemed more like a battle then a fun time out with a friend. So, i’m looking to find joy with myself, until I can find trusted friends again.
Having something to look forward to each day whether it’s a meal, a coffee, a good sleep cycle, a smile from someone, or a walk outside, it is crucial to feel a sense of pleasure.