Practice Joy

Have you heard of the set point theory? In a nutshell it’s a theory that we all have a weight which our body settles at (spoiler alert this post is not about losing weight). So we can go in a diet, lose weight but over time we’ll go back to the weight our body ‘settles’ at. It’s almost pre ordained weight. 

Well I’m not sure if that’s true but I do think maybe we have a set point of outlook. By that I mean do we naturally fall on the bright side of life or are we more of a see the problem kind of person. 

I know that I naturally land on the pessimistic side of life. My glass is more half empty than half full. Which means I have to cultivate finding the joy. I have developed a habit which helps my brain focus on the half full instead of the more pessimistic side.

And there’s all sorts of reasons we tend to one outlook over the other and none of it is our fault. But that aside what practical steps can we take? 

We can practice joy.

When we first notice something has caused us to smile, that's the moment we pause. And we can start to pick apart each tiny little piece of the event. Now I know this sounds counterintuitive but it really works. Ask yourself all the questions needed to make this event stay in your memory. What happened? Were you with people or alone? Inside or outside? What time of day? What’s the weather? Were you eating or drinking? What noises were around  you? Grab each little detail and store it in your memory. 

And then when you’re in bed at night recall it in all its technicolor glory. Sights, sounds, smells - everything. 

In the morning before you get out of bed, set an intention to find a moment of joy. 

And in the moment when it happens go through the routine of picking it apart and storing it into your memory banks. And at night in bed relive it. 

Bit by bit, memory by memory practicing Joy can help to reprogramme our brain. Or if not actually reprogramme at least readjust our set point. And in life it’s the small things that often have the biggest impact.  

And remember no matter what is happening in life with you everything changes, sending you metta, Allyjo