Finding Joy In the Little Things

So, you are having a bad day.  Work is stressful, you come home and your kids hate the dinner, and your cat just threw up.  You are just about to give up for the day when what seems like out of nowhere, your kids just start giggling.  For a moment, your heart feels happy and you feel an inner peace. 

Aren't those moments the best?  How often do those moments come and go before we even begin to feel grateful and bask in our joy?  I'm sure more often than we care to realize. 

Being joyful is not a by product of eating kale and spinach.  Yes, eating "clean" can make us feel good, have more energy, and not get sick as often.  But joy is not found in our food. It's not even found in our career.  Joy dwells within us and we notice it when we take the time to really zero in on those little things that make us happy. 

We all know (and see on TV) about the African orphans who can't stop smiling no matter how little they have.  On the flip side, we all hear the sad stories of millionaire celebrities who take their own life. 

So, just for fun I wanted to write a list of all (well, not ALL- just 10)  the so called "little" things that I know bring me joy.  Then, I encourage you to do the same!

(In no particular order)

1. Dancing with my kids
2. Singing in the car to an uplifting song (especially when my kids sing along)
3. Seeing birds (even if the joy lasts a few seconds)
4. Clouds and rain! (yes, I think I was meant to live in Seattle-lol)
5. A purring cat in my lap
6. Having deep discussions at night with my husband
7.  A hug from a friend
8.  When my husband does all the dishes (hint hint :)
9. Sweet bedtime hugs and kisses with my kids
10. The joy I hear in a client's voice when a lightbulb goes off and they are figuring out their relationship with food

There you go... just ten things which is not exhaustive at all! 

What would be top on YOUR list?  Please share in the comments!

To your Joyous Health,
Kellie
www.nourishedandnew.com

Breathe.... Just Breathe.

Do you guys know the song by Anna Nalick?  "Breathe.... just breathe."  I love that song.

Breathing is as essential to our bodies as food and water.  We can go three days without water but we can't go three minutes without breathing.

Yet, what happens when we are stressed or nervous?  We start to breathe really shallow or we tend to hold our breath.  This denies us oxygen and can mess up our metabolism.

Conscious breathing is being aware of your breath.  It's purposefully taking deep breaths in and out. When we focus on our breath, we become more in tune with our body.  It helps to reduce our stress, which in turn effects our minds, as well as our bodies.

How about when you eat in a hurry or under stress?  Notice your breath.  Are you breathing deeply?  Remember that when you deprive your body of oxygen, your metabolism slows down.  You will also not fully digest your food which could lead to indigestion, bloating and other digestive issues.

Slow down.  Even as you sit at the computer, take a deep breath and slowly let it out.

This culture is all about doing things fast.  We almost worship the busy, stressed mom.  We tend to think the busier the better.  Where does this get us in the long run though?  Being busy and not taking the time to slow down and breathe could ultimately result in health problems down the road.

As I write this, it is a beautiful rainy day in Phoenix.  I went to a wonderful yoga class at One Love Yoga, in Scottsdale.  The teacher reminded us the importance of breath work.  It helps to quiet our mind and detoxify our body.  I'm sure that she could talk with you more on that subject!

You can even practice deep breathing with your children as you put them to bed at night.   It seems to help quiet down my kids as they are in bed.

Choose today to slow down, take deep breaths and enjoy the day the best that you can!

Kellie McGarry
www.nourishedandnew.com