The mind is tricky-even sneaky at times. Sometimes we cling to our pain. We might exaggerate it or dramatize it; nurture it, obsess about it, or even repeat it. The so-called spin cycle. In some ways we can become addicted to our pain, or our own story about it. Sometimes suffering is an addiction. How do we get out? What's the solution?

First and foremost, let's make an important distinction:  Some of us are currently in the "war zone" so to speak, undergoing real trauma in which grieving and all the emotions that come with that are inevitable or perhaps even necessary.  However, there are a lot of Eeyores out there amongst us too who always seem to think that every little thing is going wrong--we all know the type.   I like to pose the question to my students, "What percentage of your life is actually serious?"  Really, in the scheme of things, there isn't much in our lives that needs to be taken so seriously.  I have one student, a war veteran, who likes to say that the only time he is unable to laugh is when he's being shot at.  You get my point.  Perspective is everything:  "Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional."   In this article,  I'd like to focus on those opportunities when we can change our perspective to choose joy and remind ourselves of the ways in which we truly are rich. 

So, let's get to it.  When we find ourselves in that spin-cycle, the first step is simply to notice that we're doing it. Take just a moment to breathe in and breathe out. (B.I.B.O., remember that one?) Go into the silence. Let the outer world fall away.   Let your heart lead the way. Let the rhythm of your breath rock you, like you're in a boat, to nurture you in the tender comfort of your own healing hands. Placing your hands over your heart, let's raise the bar: Smile and find your inner chuckle. Give yourself this moment.

Oprah did a show once that had to do with happiness. Everyone was surveyed, and then several guests shared their life stories. The audience was to guess who, of those guests that shared stories, were the happiest. The results were surprising. Some of the people with the most difficult lives, full of hardships and pain, turned out to be the happiest.

I was curious how they on the Oprah show graded "happiness". It all boiled down to five key areas regarding one's satisfaction with life. Essentially what you do is give yourself a score on a 0-5 scale, ranging from 0 being false to 5 being very true. What is interesting is that all of these questions are based upon one's own perception to some extent. Meaning, we have a choice as to how we view our lives.

 I call these five statements the "HI FIVE!"  Here they are: 

This is not to say that we don't sometimes have mood disorders with actual biochemical changes in the brain that cause a failure to make a desired shift. For example, there are real factors in our lifestyle that can make a huge difference. One of those factors is exercise, nutrition, and stress management. I'd like to focus on each of these elements in future newsletters, so stick with me on this series!  But if you can begin to take steps to eliminate unnecessary stress and suffering by CHOOSING JOY, I promise you there will be profound effects on your physical and emotional wellbeing.  (And, what better time to practice choosing joy than during the hustle and bustle of the most joyous holiday season of the year??)   

Your body is a sacred temple, most worthy of your time and attention.  Taking good care of our bodies allows us to enjoy life to the fullest and be of service to others. You are a precious gift to life-never forget to treat yourself as such.

I love you. Thank you for joining me on this newsletter and for allowing me to share my epiphanies with you.

This month's FEATURED CLASS:

Join us for laughter yoga this month at 1:00 at the Tierrasanta library. This may be our last class for this series. Come and celebrate the joy with us!

Just in time for the holidays:  For those of you prone to excessive joy, there's a new drug out called Despondex. Guaranteed to bring down your mood! If you've not heard about it already, check out this link from The Onion.  (WARNING: There are some fleeting uses of profanity and heavy-handed uses of satire and sarcasm throughout.  This may may not be suitable for children or those lacking a sense of humor!)   

"I thought I saw an eye doctor on an Alaskan island. But it turned out to be an optical Aleutian."

heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee! 

"A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it."

heeheeheeheeheeheeheeheeheehee! 

"I wondered why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then, it hit me."

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha! 

A sign on the lawn at a drug rehab center said: "keep off the grass."

hohohohohohohohohohohohohohoho!