Who doesn’t love an A-ha moment? Somehow, somewhere, a burst of deep understanding sinks in, and your perspective changes. You see things in a new light, maybe forever.
I love that feeling. I’m immediately filled with gratitude, so glad to have a tiny part of life make more sense. But I admit, sometimes I want to kick myself. Why have I been so blind for so long, says the voice in my head. I could’ve used this wisdom and insight, like, five years ago when I . . . Like I said, I feel extremely grateful (mostly).
A few weeks ago a lady with a Chewbacca mask laughed her way across the interwebs, making a lot of people laugh along with her. I was struck by the simplicity of her idea, how she was totally being herself, and her unbounded joy and enthusiasm.
You and I have seen this happen time and again. This magic mix of doing something you love and having fun with it is practically irresistible. It’s the stuff we put at the bottom of our to-do list, and get to it, if ever, once we’re done with all the responsible stuff. Adulting, I think it’s called.
For those of us of a more serious slant, enthusiasm often gets passed over altogether. Later, we wonder why we’re stalled, yearning for the good old days or wishing for more excitement in life.
And yet, we clearly love seeing it, this enthusiasm-in-action. When we watch a person come alive their energy rubs off on us. We cheer them on and spread their message because we know our friends would love it too.
For years I had avoided effervescent displays in my attempt to, you know, act grown-up and professional. Ha. As if enthusiasm and adulting are, or should be, mutually exclusive. As if letting joy come through was somehow going to diminish how I wanted to be perceived.
But while putting on a mask brings joy to some, my task for a while has been taking it off. Which means, among many things, being present in the moment. Being present, as opposed to fretting over the past (why did/didn’t I?) or worrying about the future (what if it/they?). As I’ve been meditating more, I’m learning to be more present, which is interesting because a time of silence and focus is helping me notice and feel more joy. Another A-ha moment.
So how do you do more of this? When you stop putting off fun things at the bottom of your to-do list. When you notice your curiosity and explore it. When you take a break from consuming and spend time creating. When you try something new without fretting that you haven’t done it before, or whether it will be a success. These are some ways that give you joy, excitement, an experience. From deep within you feel a certain kind of energy.
It may put a smile on your lips.
It may take you in a direction you never thought to take.
It may help you (re)discover a passion.
It may give you a new insight, a different perspective. Wow. WHOA. A-ha!
This energy is fragile in the early stages, so it’s easy to dismiss. Don’t. When nurtured, it grows and comes forth stronger. It lifts you as you reach for the ups, supports you as you coast, and cushions the downs.
Enthusiasm is a life force we can’t afford to push off our list. Push it closer to the top, and see what it feels like. Then look forward to watching your world change.
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