Feeling a spark of joy is a sign that you’re connected with your higher inner self… who you really are on the inside.
Feeling calm… at peace… in the present moment… in your heart rather than caught up in the drama found in your mind…
… that’s when inner joy (that’s already in you) can naturally come through.
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My inspiration for this post is Eckhart Tolle’s book, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose. Whew! It goes deep into connecting with your higher inner self!
One thing that jumped out at me was:
Pleasure is always derived from something outside of you, whereas joy arises from within.
Eckhart Tolle, Author of A New Earth
Nobody can give you joy, and nobody can steal your joy. People can help you feel happy, but joy… only you have the power to make “joy arise from within.”
The Rewards for Having a Solid Foundation of Inner Joy
Your inner joy affects how your perceive and experience life… your thoughts create your reality.
Inner joy promotes a feeling of ease, lightness, and peace of mind. Ultimately inner joy will cultivate more good times, as well as carry you through life’s difficult times with more ease.
When you have a solid foundation of inner joy, you’re more likely to find happiness in daily life. Research has shown that the benefits of happiness include:
- Improved Heart Health
- Ability to Combat Stress More Effectively
- A Stronger Immune System
- Overall Healthier Lifestyle
- Can Help Reduce Pain
- Increased Life Longevity
5 Doable Ways to Grow More Inner Joy
For more ease, lightness, and peace in your daily life.
Although what sparks joy within each of us is unique, here are some ideas to build good habits that make space for joy to grow. Each suggestion will take practice, so be patient with yourself as you do the inner work of growing your inner joy.
My following suggestions are inspired from Eckhart Tolle’s book, but not taken directly from his book. You can read articles by Eckhart Tolle here.
1 – Release what no longer serves you.
Joy needs space to flow and grow. Letting go of things that make you unhappy and unfulfilled creates space for things that make you happy and fulfilled.
- Give up listening to people who fan your fear.
- Let go of blame – take responsibility for your life.
- Let go of not doing things because you might fail – failure is ok.
- Release self-doubt – that’s fear talking. Instead, listen to your inner self.
2 – Do the little things that uplift you.
I’m talking about the teeny-tiny stuff that might make you smile or feel satisfied. The more micro-moments you find each day, the better.
- The first sip of coffee to start your day.
- Listening to the laughter and yelling of children playing.
- Watching squirrels chase each other up and down trees.
- Giving your dog a good old fashioned belly rub!
- Sitting outside alone listening to the wind, birds, and whatever else surprises you.
3 – Be grateful.
Expressing gratitude is one of the easiest ways to increase the inner joy (blessings) in all areas of your life. What feels good in your life today? What do you feel appreciation for today?
Gratitude will help you adjust the lens through which you see the world.
- Life through a lens of fear is scary. Fear shows up with thoughts like “I might fail” or “What will people will think about me” or “I’m not good enough.”
- Life through a lens of joy, hope or confidence feels a whole lot better and shows up like “I am getting better” or “I’m learning with each step I take” or at minimum “I am not there YET.”
Bottom line… The more blessings (joy) you find through gratitude, the more blessings (joy) will come to you. (Energy Flows Where Attention Goes.)
If you decide to do one thing to improve your life, I recommend starting a gratitude practice.
Start your gratitude practice TODAY! Download my free Daily Positivity Journal page to write your gratitudes. It can start a life-changing habit!
4 – Live in the present moment.
Let go of the past and don’t worry about the future. Easily accessible little joys are often missed when we’re not focused on the present moment.
You can’t control the future, and you can’t change the past. Ouch! This is one that I’ve made great progress on, and I continue to improve.
5 – Take a deep breath.
Take another one. And another.
Deep breathing and focusing on your breath is an all-natural way to calm your mind of issues like stress and anxiety.
Take charge of the amount of joy in your life.
Joy is an inside job. Only YOU can give yourself permission to feel and grow it for yourself.
Be still.
Listen.
Let your inner self be your guide.
As you make space for joy to flow into your life, others around you will also be positively affected… sounds cliché but joy is contagious!
Alone time and being still is a great way to connect with your inner self, and it’s your inner self that knows your true joy.
Growing a solid foundation of inner joy will help you be your best self, along with the added bonus of helping you get through hard times.
What little things will you choose to do today to grow your inner joy?
Need Help?
Remember, joy is an inside job. Only YOU can grow inner joy for yourself. If you need help and are ready to do the inner work, I can help you grow your joy. Check out my coaching packages, and let’s talk.
