4 Ways To a Wiser, More Blissful You

Earlier this week , we learned that discovering a wiser, more blissful you extends beyond how you feel. It’s about learning how you think and choosing to respond differently as situations arise. It’s about learning to be free without compromising your inner identity. Ready for Part 2? Let’s begin.

Leave the Judging to the Judges

One of my favorite shows to watch is courtroom dramas. I always find myself saying “I knew she did it!” or “what a liar; they have your DNA!!” {I know I’m not the only one (smile)} But as I watched the show I noticed a pattern: those who stepped into the role as “judge” were often the ones who were worse off for having done so. The lesson? When we assume the role of being overly critical of others or judging a situation from our perspectives only, we run the risk of falling prey to the death of our inner growth. Nothing stunts inner growth, taints progress or kills momentum like using energy counter-productively. But they deserve it! You don’t know what they did. What am I doormat? The question isn’t do they deserve it; but do we? For every judgment we exact or sentence we render, we’re taking 5 steps backward–away from our goals,  dreams and freedom. Wisdom says to let the hurt go, choose forgiveness and keep on moving. As you do, strength, joy and hope will blossom where anger and hurt once did. Being a judge has its price. Choose to pay it nothing.

Fullness of Joy

You’ve gotten off the treadmill, planned for the probable and decided to leave the judging to the judges. In other words, you decided to move forward, plan for your movements, refused to be pulled backwards and now you’re ready for the next step: joy. Joy causes you to sing when there isn’t a song playing. It makes you smile or laugh when your situation seems bleak. Joy will even cause you to cry not from sadness or grief but simply because you made it when no one else–not even you–thought that you would. Joy is a strength and a shield to life’s pangs. It causes you to focus less on the small mole hills in life and more on the giant blessings sitting right in your midst. Joy is a choice that starts within each of us. When was the last time your wrote or said something lovely about yourself? How often do you blow kisses at yourself or treat yourself? It’s impossible to embrace joy when you shun its treasured counterpart: you. Having joy starts with loving self and continues with loving others. This is your story. So, love it and love you.