Become Ignited & Recapture Your Joy

I was in Las Vegas this week - a place where people come to express joy, have a good time. However, so many people I encountered appeared to be unignited - almost as if they were just going through the motions of their lives hoping that winning $25 at a slot machine will put a skip in their step. I notice this in other cities, but it seems most ironic in Las Vegas, America's playground.  Are people here really happy or are they chasing a high?

Why are people what I am calling unignited? I believe this happens when people lack connectedness, awareness, mindfulness, appreciation. Mindfulness practice enables us to live more vibrantly, creates balance and true satisfaction. It doesn't require us to seek artificial highs but enables us to appreciate the $25 win with perspective.

Most of my idea of awareness was already imprinted in me but my practice now solidifies and elevates these ideas. What I'm saying is, you know most of this already and practicing with discipline will ignite you.  Here are some tools to get you started.

• Be a big picture thinker. Close in on your personal big picture 
• Focus on a few core priorities. Stick to those. Everything else is negotiable
• Appreciation is key. Don't take people/things for granted. Express gratitude every day
• Every interaction is an opportunity
• Adversity teaches a lesson
• Empathy is important. Put yourself in another's shoes
• Remember that we all share certain common goals
• Remove clutter from your life. Anything that doesn't contribute to your personal big picture is dispensable
• Slow down. Much of the racing is busy-ness
• Be your own priority. You being your best you allows you to be more present for others. Be kind to yourself
• Listen to yourself, your gut feelings and respect them
• Master your emotions. Don't be reactive. In each situation, think be goal-oriented and think of how you can be most effective
• Think of ways to test your boundaries and invite new experiences. Try to progress your goals each day
• Importantly, keep yourself balanced. Everything in moderation can be healthy. Too much of anything can be detrimental.

I'm a student like all of us.  I can't say that I perfectly accomplish all of this each day, but I do make them priorities and notice tremendous progress in all areas of my life week by week.  Mindfulness is accessible and should be introduced in a way that is comfortable for you. Sprinkling a little more into your daily routine will bring increased joy and connection for you. You will begin to feel happier, more relaxed and understood. Things will naturally begin to flow and feel right.  You will be living in full color. By inviting more mindfulness into your life, you will bring joy to even the most mundane routine. At last, you will be ignited!  Welcome!

Debra Riggs is the editor of Mindful Living Online (mindfullivingonline.com) and founder of MN8 Media, LLC.  Please feel free to contact Debra at debra@mn8media.com.