Sculpting Joy

So I just moved into my new permanent digs here in San Luis Obispo county. This is a big surprise considering that I have been all about Santa Cruz county for the past year. But here’s the thing. When you’ve reached the end of your vision and you don’t have a plan – how do you know where to go?

Allow your joy.

When the lease was up on my Capitola place, I knew that it was time to move on. I made plans to help my mother after her recent knee surgery and had a couple weeks of pet-sitting after that. Knowing that I was covered for about a month – I let go of a life that no longer worked to allow a life that does.

This is where it gets a little tricky. Being human and all, we love knowing the NEXT step before we move on from the LAST step. But the chaotic void is where all the fun begins.

And yes, I’ve been scared.

The first thing I did on my journey was to keep the feeling of what I wanted in my heart, body and mind as much as possible. Whenever I got scared or overwhelmed, I would say an affirmation such as: “Heaven knows what I need and it’s on the way.” Or “I am blessed, I say yes to life.” I kept up on my positive reading: and most of all, took lots of breathing breaks.

The result was that I followed the good feelings through 7 pet-sitting gigs with overnights at a friend’s fabulous guest house. I learned that while I can never eradicate FEAR – I can dance with her pretty well.

Allowing joy is like taking a big lump of clay and seeing the joy already present. Slowly we mold the clay and remove the pieces that don’t fit. Sometimes, the pieces fall away without our help. Taking the steps to listen to, and allow our feelings moves us into the present moment. We mold our joy with each breath.

I’m typing in my freezing but cute little cabin-ita in Los Osos and I’ve been here officially for 6 days. I’ve had glimpses of joy in between unpacking – but it was fleeting among all of the boxes.

But, finally today, the 7th day, I am amazed and grateful and startled and slightly confused that I landed HERE – and I’m smiling.

May you follow the joy that lives in your heart,

Dorothy

PS: I am teaching workshops at the Be Well Center in Atascadero! Join me for my first class Monday, October 12, 7pm-8:30pm: How to Bring Joy to Your Life. (And please, tell a friend.) More workshops are listed on my calendar as well. Click the title above to go directly to my website.