Joy
Hi, Thinking Out Loud here :D
Welcome to Mindful Monday, Week 34
Here is the link for this week's playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3C3gljEbqvPMp3N6yv7lUT?si=c6552e7da26d4b27
I hope you enjoy listening whilst you read, and I hope you find the music relaxing.
If an ad plays, please stop reading and wait for the playlist to play again. The playlist will be timed for you to read to the end of this blog post, with maybe one song running over after reading.
Get a drink, maybe even a snack, and find a comfy seat so you can relax. Let go of all worries and enjoy the next five deep breaths. Please prepare for the first breath in by breathing out.
Now time for your first deep breath; take one deep breath in through your nose for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. Breathe out through your mouth for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Breathe in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Breathe in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Two more to go; breathe in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Last one deep breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Now go back to your regular breathing pattern. I hope you feel calm and relaxed.
I often talk about what we can do for ourselves, how we can make things easier, or about our own lives in general. Today I want you to try and spread a little bit of joy for someone else, maybe take their rubbish bin to the curb or bring it back to their house if you’ve just had your rubbish collecting day.
Perhaps you might want to help someone with their shopping, maybe packing their bags or even paying for it, perhaps they’ve had one of those days, and they’ve left the house without their money so can’t pay for their shopping (it happens, and I know we all have those days.) you might want to give your friend a little bit of time child-free so they can get through that ever-growing to-do list or to just simply let them have some time with their feet up.
Maybe your friends don’t have kids but have fur babies. You could offer to take them for a walk while your friend has some time to get some jobs done around the house or again put their feet up.
If someone you know is renovating their house and it seems to be getting a little too much, put on some old clothes and lend them a hand for as long as you can spare. Renovating can be fun but sometimes can seem never-ending. That little bit of help will really make all the difference. Perhaps there is some building work down your street, and maybe you could get the builders some drinks and food while they are busy.
Your spreading joy could be writing a card to someone and letting them know what an amazing person they are or how good they are doing with something specific that you know they may be thinking differently. Any nice words go a long way. Whatever way you spread joy today, I hope you do it with a smile on your face and an extra spring in your step, as I’m sure this will also bring a little joy to you.
Please don’t hesitate to leave a comment below with how you have spread a little bit of joy today. Remember to be kind; not all comments show as they get moderated, but I do read all comments, and I’m only one person running this page, so it takes a little time for comments to show.
Let's finish with a three-deep breath breather.
Take one deep breath in through your nose for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. Breathe out through your mouth for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Breathe in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. And out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1... Final breath in for five 1..2..3..4..5.. Hold for 1..2.. Last breath out for five 1..2..3..4..5.. No hold here; you can now go back to your regular breathing pattern.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read this week's Mindful Monday. I really do appreciate everyone who takes the time to read them and listens to what I have to say.
Love always
Thinking Out Loud xx :D
Spreading a little bit of joy can make someone else's day a lot brighter.
