Create Your Joy - One Small Step Can Simplify Your Life

Do you ever ask yourself how you got into the endless cycle of constantly running around, watching the clock, anxious you won't meet the many deadlines you set for yourself in a single day?

Do you ever fantasize about just relaxing and enjoying your life?

If you answered, "yes" to either of those questions, think about the famous quote by Lao Tzu:

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

1. How can you apply that very simple phrase to your approach to your life? 
2. Do you truly feel like you don't have enough time to get everything done without rushing around? 
3. If so, why do you choose to arrange your schedule so that you feel this kind of anxiety? 
4. How can you change your approach so that you feel joyful, peaceful, unhurried during every moment of your life?

Try an experiment:

• Give yourself 15-20 minutes to review the activities you have planned for the week. 
• Sort your tasks by priority. 
• Then remove one item from each day's activities, and either delegate or reschedule those tasks.

As Rosella Aranda said, "We teach others how to treat us." By letting go of guilt and embracing respect and joy for yourself and your life, others will learn and honor that about you. And people will notice that it feels good to be around you because it's obvious that you feel good.

Now, in the place of that one task that you removed from each daily activity, choose something to do for yourself that will leave you feeling like you're walking on air. Perhaps you'll sit quietly and enjoy the sounds around you. Perhaps you'll listen to some of your favorite music, or read part of a book, or go for a walk, or call a friend you haven't spoken to in awhile. Or maybe you'll look at an old photo album, or go to your favorite cafe. When choosing what to do with this gift of time you've created for yourself, be absolutely sure that the choice you make will leave you feeling peaceful, joyful, warm and smiling.

Nature feels like that - unhurried, peaceful - whether it is the slowness of a flower unfolding during spring, or the way squirrels play around in the leaves and chase each other up into the trees - instinctively knowing that the nuts and their nest will be taken care of when playtime is over.

Each moment in your life is a newly formed work of art and you're the artist. You are the creator. And since you have so much positive brilliant power to create the work of art that is your life, give much thought to how you will feel when you perform your daily tasks. Will you feel warm and peaceful? How will that affect the people and other living things around you?

When you feel joy, others around you feel joy, and the whole day becomes joyful because you are focusing on that - the things that make you feel good.

So instead of feeling a slight pang of anxiety the next time your mind jumps ahead to your daily schedule, pull yourself back to the moment and let yourself feel where you are. Let yourself enjoy it.

As Lao Tzu said, "Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."

You are nature. You are beautiful. You deserve to take your time and enjoy each precious moment of your exceptional life.

Here's to peaceful moments that fill you with joy, and may you share that joy as your spirit glows.

About the Author
​​Debra M. Hollinrake, C.LAC, is an Emotional Freedom Techniques (tapping) practitioner, mindfulness teacher and inspirational speaker.  She is a Partner, Director of Public Relations, practitioner and teacher at The Tree of Health Center in Andover, NJ.