Since May 13th, keeping my conscious path of activating a happy life for myself has been a bit more of a challenge. The grief and sadness that had enveloped my body, mind, and soul after Bergen’s passing through me for a loop. It’s not that I hadn’t anticipated the deep sense of loss that would come my way after my daily companion had gone to the light. It’s just that I didn’t expect it to be so debilitating.
Through all of the losses of loved ones that has come my way so far in life, this one has brought the most tears. Every day. Sometimes at the strangest of moments.
I know that the path of grief is a twisting and turning roller coaster ride of memories. I pat myself on the back for flowing with the flood of emotions that arise and make me fall to my knees, but I also know that it is time to start moving forward. Bergen would want me to be vibrantly embracing life. Just like he did.
So, in true spirit of one of the happiest beings I have had the pleasure of knowing, I am going to start concentrating again on being happy. How? Well, time will continue to help. But I have made a deal with myself to continue on with my daily gifts of joy that I give myself, as well as incorporating some others…
For those of you fighting depression, or struggling to surpass the drowning feelings of sadness…I hope that they bring light to your darkness, as well.
So, without further ado…here are my top ten ways to turn that frown upside down…
1. Yoga with vocal exhales: I have mentioned before that I have incorporated yoga into my daily activities. For certain, this time of deep breathing and truly feeling and listening to my body has helped immensely in bringing an overall sense of calm and love into my life. But one of my favorite aspects to this wonderful practice is exhaling my breath with sound. And not some little timid squeak, either. I am talking a lion’s roar if need be. It is such a wonderful feeling that rises up when I let it out while doing the down dog.
2. Meditation with a smile on your face: in my humble opinion, I think that there is a lot of seriousness that is attached to meditation that scares certain people away from doing the practice. For me, I used to think that there was no way that I could sit still in a crazy position for hours on end. It just wasn’t going to happen. But then I learned that meditation can be in many, many forms. And that includes just sitting quietly with a happy smile on your face. I have found that the feelings associated with grinning from ear to ear slowly melts into my heart as I lay or sit comfortably, concentrating on the happy smile decorating my face. It might sound silly to some, but really, this easy way to create meditation has truly helped me pull myself out of a funk.
3. Make a grateful list: I have found that in addition to verbally saying what I am grateful for, writing it down in list form helps me to cognitively see how many fabulous, wonderful, great things are going on in my life. Way to many, really, to be upset at all.
4. Volunteering with children or animals: if a smile is what you need, there are two beings on earth that are quick to help…kiddos and canines. I truly believe that each have an uncanny ability to see the reality of good. Being surrounded by their hopeful and inspiring energy can only help bring a smile to a person’s face.
5. Sing a silly song: I started this when I was a little girl with my best friend Crystal, and it has continued into my adulthood. I tend to sing my silly songs to either my canine kids or no one in particular. They don’t always make sense, but they always have to do with singing silly creations of sentences. And it never fails to make my heart feel a little lighter.
UPDATE: Turning Grief and Sadness Part 2
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