Movement for life – The Joyful Shift

by Lauren Walker

Purpose and passion. How do you live your life? I'm turning forty this year and I feel like I'm finally coming into my own. I was vacuuming my house this morning and I realized, while I dislike doing it, I can be joyful doing it. Vacuuming gave me the idea for this article, so thank you!

A Joyful Shift

A shift happens when you get older. I spent my twenties wondering who I was and what I wanted to be. I wasn't experiencing very much joy at all. Going through the motions in life left me feeling empty and purposeless. We may experience that in various stages of life, mind you, but the feeling is palpable. I've learned, when I turn away from what makes me happy, I don’t feel good mentally or physically. When I started leaning into what made me happy, all of a sudden my life began. The shift started.

If it Makes you Happy

I had to experience some not so happy moments in order to reach this joy.

Biblically joy is defined as the stabilizing prescence of God bringing strength and stability, securlarily this could be taken to be that thing in which we find strength and security.

I then had no fear at that point and I decided to pursue my happiness. Creativity took priority and now six years later, I'm teaching workshops and sharing what I love with others. It's my true purpose! I've been a personal trainer for 25 years and work with older adults. That is my true purpose! I'm writing this article which is, you guessed it, part of my purpose.

Be self conscious

It's not what you think it means... my definition of "self conscious" has more to do with being aware of your inner self. I call it, feeding your soul. Making conscious choices for your physical and mental wellness is what I'm referring to. These are things I had to ask myself:

Are you prioritizing physical wellness?

Are you engaging in activities you enjoy?

Are you present in your every day life or just going through the motions?

Joy is a part of a wellness routine. Why? It's a simple answer, really, you deserve to experience it. Choose one thing today! If you think of joy as a cup, are you filling it up?

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