A ‘NO’ uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a ‘YES’ merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.” – Gandhi
So happy to share a guest post from Kelly Inselmann with our Virtual Pilgrim Community. She’s a dear friend, and a wise woman with an uncommon and awesomely real perspective on joy.
In-joy!
Jennie
Get yourself out of the way and let joy have more space. – Rumi
Today, as you walk or afterward, let your mind wander to the moments over your lifetime that have brought you the most joy.
Where were you, who were you with, what were you wearing? A bathing suit, running gear, dance shoes, pajamas, maybe even nothing?
Take some time to enjoy the memory and to feel it in your body.
Remember the excitement and vitality and sensations that made you come alive.
I remember a time when I was 5 years old in 1973 and received a beautiful pair of white patent leather go go boots. I put those fancy boots on and danced around my grassy back yard in Houston, Texas singing at the top of my lungs a song I knew from church: “I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart, down in my hear to stay and I’m so happy, so very happy..…”
Even now, I can remember feeling the ground beneath me and seeing the clear blue sky above, as I exclaimed my delight to the heavens (and all the neighbors).
40 years later, I still use this memory as a signal from my body to advise me on when to say yes and when to say no.
I ask myself, “Can I do this with my joy boots on?”
What’s a memory or deep experience you’ve had that can help you remember to choose joy?
Kelly Inselmann is a cancer survivor, a Clinical Social Worker, yoga teacher of 20 years, and founder of Joy Boots for Cancer Survivors (launching this summer). She lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and daughter.
Check out her latest project http://yogaandtalk.com/why-40-days/
Share your answer to Kelly’s question in our private Facebook group.
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