"The components of the Joy Diet create a direct connection between your conscious mind and your deep self, the part of you that know the purpose for your life and how you were meant to achieve it. This can be terrifying." -- Martha Beck, The Joy Diet
Friday marked the beginning of this session of The Next Chapter, a book blogging discussion group led by the talented Jamie Ridler. The book we are reading this session is Martha Beck's The Joy Diet. I decided to participate because I had so much fun when I participated once before and -- most importantly -- I've been on a mission to bring more joy into my life lately. This spring, I was riding high and joy was the rule, not the exception. Lately, however, I've been feeling kind of emotionally lethargic. I haven't really been unhappy, but I haven't been particularly joyful either. Since September 1, I've been working with a dear friend to try to change that, and I do feel better -- much better most days. But I'm still not where I was six months ago. I miss the excitement of a joy-filled life, and I'm hoping that reading and discussing this book -- and applying the practices within it -- will help me get some of that back.
In reading the Introduction, I realize that I have lost not only my sense of joy, but also that connection that Beck talks about between my conscious mind and my deep self. In fact, some days I have no real concept of my deep self. While I'm not sure I share Beck's vision of a "right life", I do know that when I'm feeling more joy, I feel more purposeful, too. I'm just more in sync with life and my inner landscape.
If you are interested in The Joy Diet, why don't you join us? It's never too late to sign up!
6 comments:
Cindy, I think we are on a similar path with our art explorations and our soul explorations! Making the connection to mindfulness and connectedness to our spirit is so important in day to day living. I think we are going to experience much joy over the next few weeks and I look forward to sharing this journey with you as well!
I am on the Joy Diet, too. I spent about 45 minutes on a trail walk REALLY trying to do nothing. That's hard. My mind is on a nonstop treadmill.
This is going to be challenging I think.
Happy Dieting!!
Hi Cindy, thanks for stopping by. Nice to meet you.
Talking about the deeper self, it is really hard to stick to it in everyday matters, but it's possible! Here's to a JOY journey!
LaWendula
Hi Cindy, I think this book and more importantly our interaction with it through blogging and connecting with others will be just the prescription for living a more joy-filled life. I look forward to sharing this adventure with you! {soul hugs} Kathryn
Just stopped by to say Hi! I look forward to our new adventure into Joy. Have a great week.
looking forward to journeying through "The Joy Diet" with you and our fellow dieters.
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