Joy Before A Trip

Imagine going on a trip,. Perhaps it is to see your family, who you are glad to see, but with certain dreaded dynamics that are virtually sure to happen. At least you feel they are sure  to happen. Maybe it is an in law, or a business trip. It may even be a trip you will  enjoy, but travel has changed so much.

Coming up to the day you may have a feeling of anticipatory dread that becomes almost a physical sensation, a knot in the pit of your stomach. The morning of the trip you may wake with that dread strong and that knot tightening.

This is the kind of feeling that many wake up with every single day. Work can be a grind. Some may wake even in fear of going to  work, fear of conflict or situations that feel unsolvable, or even dangerous conditions. Some of us get this feeling just by turning on the computer, what is in the news, who won the election, what is happening now. 

A worst case scenario is a situation which must be suffered. The word suffer means to be under the dominion of, to  be ruled by that which we suffer. The dread for the trip, or for going to work doesn't just color the trio, it colors the morning, we are not as nice to those around us. When dreading work we are more likely to have a road rage incident, more likely to have a recrimination filled communication on Facebook.

You are a best case scenario. If you can pop the bubble of the emotion you are in you will have better clarity. Consider starting tomorrow morning in a different way. Do not sit in that feeling of dread. As soon as possible after waking, take a cold shower, or a hot one with a blast of cold water in the end. Give about five to  waking up your posture with light movement. Do breathing techniques, sing “Row Row Row Your Boat'' and then ask yourself positive questions about the upcoming day.  For a minute give yourself a big broad smile, and laugh heartily. Joy is about being on purpose, and shifting your emotions when you wake in the morning will bring you closer to it.