A Journey Into Joy
Step 9 — Week 2: The Reward
Step 9 The Reward The ordeal was a major milestone. At last, the “sword” is within their grasp. The hero can take the time to cherish the reward, even celebration it. However the hero has yet to embark on their journey home. Thankfully they have the knowledge and skill to face the final conflict, even if they have yet to fully realize it.
For me I plan to continue with the areas covered in the weeks of Step 1 (health, home, The Mandala Lady, and my purpose).
Here’s my journal entry for step 9 – week 2: Home
Ok, since last month, I randomly remembered to use the “I get to” mindset…ie: I get to do laundry, I get to do laundry at home, I get to have clothes that will need washing from time-to-time, and so on. It has helped.
I haven’t made much progress on the Internal Family Systems (IFS) book yet. Although it’s in my awareness that when I feel myself being triggered I can acknowledge that part of me. For now I’m just noting without doing anything further with it…going with “awareness is half the battle” mindset.
I love the idea of a 30-day challenge as mentioned last month. I would prefer that my husband and I go along with it together. I mentioned it in passing but I have yet to take it any further.
Now, all of that being said…something has dramatically changed since last month. I have made it a point to declutter/tidy/clean up one area of our home or yard for about 1-1.5 hours nearly every day (I think I missed may one or two days)…and it’s making a world of difference. I can feel it…and I love it. Two spots in particular have improved the most: the dining area and the patio…both of which were more like dumping grounds before. I’ve done as much as I can do for now in the dining area. The patio needs a couple of more days however just the way it is now, it brings me joy where it used to bring me dread and disgust.
The plan is to continue with the “I get to’s”, IFS, 30-day challenge, and the DDs (daily declutters).
That’s it for now,
Maureen
The Mandala Lady
🌟 bringing sanity to an insane world through the art of mandalas
ABOUT “A JOURNEY INTO JOY”
With all the anxiety and stress in the world right now, focusing on joy may seem a bit counterintuitive. Mais contraire mes amis. We actually need more joy in our lives…now more than ever. And it starts within each of us. It’s been my experience that when in that higher vibrational state of joy, it helps raise the vibration of those around us as well.
Brené Brown defines joy as “an intense feeling of deep spiritual connection, pleasure, and appreciation”. Of late, I mostly experience only moments of happiness and on a rare occasion, joy…thus my desire to journey into joy.
My quest throughout this year is to explore, experience, and express this state in a variety of ways, including following a variation of the hero’s journey, as professed by Jospeh Campbell.
Care to join me? Here’s how…
MandalaoftheMonth.com: On the first of the month, I’ll create and post a mandala for coloring. Each month we’ll take another step along the “journey into joy” by following a modified version Joseph Campbell’s a hero’s journey. Included in each step will be a description of the step and prompts for coloring and/or journaling for the month. You’re welcome to color them as well…they’re free to download.
MandalaoftheWeek.com: Each Monday I’ll be posting my coloring of that month’s Mandala of the Month, which will produce 4-5 colorings of that design. With each one, I intend to dig deeper into the message of that month’s mandala. You’re welcome to color along as well.
Mandala of the Week 