Respond to life. Don't react to it.

It's so important to live in 'the now'.  To be fully conscious of each moment.  To live in awareness.  That is the only place where peace comes from and the ability to handle any situation that comes your way.  When you are fully present, you can respond to things as opposed to reacting to them.  When you live from the place of ego or your mind, you react to situations.  You're on autopilot. Your thoughts, words, and actions become a reflex without thought of their consequence.  When you live from a place of awareness being fully present and now, you respond.  You don't react.  You have that gap of silence that allows you to witness what just occurred and then choose how you will respond to it...if you respond at all. Sometimes, not responding is the best response.  When you do this, conflicts can be diffused or avoided, relationships can be deepened, you're aware of your intentions, and you begin to flow with your life not against it. 

Try to live from the seat of your soul.  Be fully aware.  And respond to life.  Not react to it. When you do, life will support you the way the pond supports the vibrant green lily pad.

XO  Joy

BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN YOUR LIFE

When you are right with yourself, the world is right with you
XO Joy

Do you want more understanding in your life?

Then be more understanding to those around you.

Do you want to see more compassion and acceptance?

Then show more compassion and acceptance.

Do you want inspiration in your life?

Then inspire someone.

We have to be the change we want to see in our lives.  Just wanting and complaining will not bring about change.  It doesn't work that way.  You have to give in order to receive. But...the giving has to come from an authentic place.  Meaning you can't give (whatever it may be--a smile, compassion, understanding, monetary, love, etc) with the only intent to receive something back.  It doesn't work that way either.  You know when you are giving from an authentic place because you realize the giving is a much greater gift than receiving.  I tend to make this sound simplistic...but it kind of is.  It is a choice.  You may have to start out making a conscious effort to do this but after a while it will flow naturally out of you and you start to look at life and those around you differently.  So the next time you find yourself wishing for some kind of change in your life, immediately look around you and see how you can be that change you are wanting.  It may not happen the next day but I promise if give what you want more of in your life you will start to see it manifest in your own life.

XO  Joy

Walk Away

Sometimes the best thing you can do is to walk away.  That is not giving up.  That is choosing yourself over drama. That is choosing your happiness over heartache.  Yes, sometimes walking away does involve heartache.  But somehow...it is a little more tolerable because you chose it.  It is not quitting.  It is choosing to put your energy where it is productive, valued, and appreciated.  Sometimes...someone can become toxic, and they usually don't realize it, so you have to walk away.  Choose you.  Choose happiness.  Surround yourself with those that appreciate, value, and love you.  Everyone else....walk away from.  Not meanly, not angrily, not defensively, and maybe not forever.  Just walk away and put your energy where love can make it grow.

XO  Joy