Awaken your inner light

“I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart to stay.”

This childhood song has been running through my mind lately. I've always tried to be a joyful person and to find joy in every opportunity. However, lately I've had to be more intentional about it. Joy used to come naturally to me; now I find myself using strategies to create and cultivate it.

My first joy sparking practice is gratitude. I intentionally find things to be grateful for and repeat them either aloud or silently in my mind. Shifting my focus to gratitude can quickly change my energy and perspective.

Another way I reconnect with joy is by spending time in nature. Being outdoors helps release the tension and stress we often carry, while also providing endless reminders of what we can appreciate. As you enjoy the beauty around you, try grounding yourself. Take a deep breath in, and as you slowly exhale, imagine your feet sinking down, down, down into the core of the earth. Picture yourself rooting into the ground like a tree—steady, supported, and connected.

I'm not always an extrovert, but during more challenging seasons, I often find joy in the company of family and friends. Connecting with others and doing something kind for someone else can instantly bring a smile. Acts of kindness and service have a way of filling the empty spaces in our hearts and reminding us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves.

I know that as I move through this phase, joy will once again come easily and effortlessly. Until then, I trust that I have the tools I need to shift my energy, nurture my spirit, and create more joy in my life each day.

Chakra: Solar Plexus

Properties: 

"Stone of Joy," positivity, attracts wealth, success, and abundance, creativity and boosts self-confidence

How to use:

Wear as jewlery, keep it in your left pocket or near you, 

place in your work/personal space, or near your bed

Affirmations are a simple yet effective way to shift your mindset. When negative or fearful thoughts arise, repeating positive statements helps interrupt those patterns and redirect your focus. Research on neuroplasticity shows that the brain can rewire itself with consistent practice—meaning affirmations can gradually strengthen new, more positive thought pathways. For best results, make affirmations a regular habit to train your mind toward optimism and resilience.

I find joy in the little things.

Joy is my natural state.

I choose joy.

I attract joy everywhere I go.

Joy lives within me.

Joy comes easily and effortlessly to me.

"Don't Stop Me Now"

Artist: Queen

1979

I'm gonna have myself a real good time. I feel alive
And the world, I'll turn it inside out, yeah
I'm floating around in ecstasy, so
Don't stop me 'cause I'm having a good time, having a good time

I'm a shooting star leaping through the sky
Like a tiger, defying the laws of gravity
I'm a racing car passing by, like Lady Godiva
I'm gonna go, go, go there's no stopping me

I'm burning through the sky, yeah
Two hundred degrees, that's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm travelling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic man outta you. Don't stop me now
I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball. Don't stop me now
If you wanna have a good time, just give me a call. Don't stop me now. (Don't stop me now) 'cause I'm having a good time
I don't wanna stop at all, yeah

I'm a rocket ship on my way to Mars on a collision course
I am a satellite, I'm out of control. I'm a sex machine, ready to reload. Like an atom bomb about to oh, oh, oh, explode

I'm burning through the sky, yeah
Two hundred degrees, that's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit
I'm travelling at the speed of light
I wanna make a supersonic woman of you. Don't stop me, don't stop me. Don't stop me, come on. Don't stop me, don't stop me
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't stop me, come on, do it
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I'm not stopping. Have a good time, good time
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Move it. I like it, like it, yeah

Alright, alright, yeah. Alright, alright, do it
Everybody do it. Everybody do it. Don't stop me, don't stop me
Oh, oh, oh, I like it. Don't stop me, don't stop me
Have a good time, good time. Oh, I'm burning through the sky, yeah. Two hundred degrees, that's why they call me Mister Fahrenheit. I'm traveling at the speed of light. I wanna make a supersonic man outta you. Don't stop me now. I'm having such a good time, I'm having a ball. Don't stop me now
If you wanna have a good time, just give me a call. Don't stop me now. (Don't stop me now) 'cause I'm having a good time
I don't wanna stop at all, yeah