Spontaneous ‘Yes’!
I’ve never really been one for spontaneity. I like being organised and to know what I’m doing and I also appreciate a more structured use of my time, especially when there’s a lot going on that can easily lead to overwhelm and fatigue.
This type of planning helps my nervous system relax and allows me to have a much happier time. It’s also a really useful way of being more discerning in where my time and energy actually goes.
In saying structured, I definitely don’t mean doing the same thing on repeat. As I’m getting older, the thought of this is becoming more and more underwhelming. As human beings, we’re meant to move, to experience and to enjoy.
Getting overly stuck in day-to-day routines can make us increasingly oblivious to what’s going on around us. We become disengaged, disconnected and dare I say it, boring.
I’m incredibly grateful for having these insights and to recognise opportunities to experience wonderful new things. I was recently with a group of very dear friends when an invitation arose to visit a local sunflower farm. I couldn’t think of anything more delightful than walking amongst these cheery yellow flowers while watching the sun set on the horizon. It was the perfect way to end a very busy week.
All the perfect ingredients were there – something I love, people I love, and a manageable timeframe for an affordable adventure!
These joy-filled experiences stimulate the senses, ground to the surroundings and inspire the mind and spirit all at the same time. It brings a newness of energy that’s light and playful and releases all those ‘feel good’ hormones that bolster health and wellbeing.
Frustrations and lingering irritability with the status quo are cast aside for feelings of gratitude for being totally in the present. Interestingly enough, when we sprinkle these moments generously into our lives, the way we approach the day-to-day becomes a lot more positive.
The other thing about engaging with a good group of friends is that we all appreciate how busy things are and we all have our own lives to lead. We understand that our time is valuable so when we’re done, we’re done and we’re all the better for it! This is the benefit of being with like-minded people. We totally get it.
Whenever there’s that natural and spontaneous urge to say ‘Yes’ there’s usually some pretty good alignment here in what truly brings us joy, and in doing so, we’re engaging in an essential part of self-care and acknowledgement that we’re worthy of having these enriching experiences. As a result, more of them tend to come our way.
Happy friendships are just like the sunflowers we went to visit. They radiate warmth and joy and serve as a natural boost to the soul when needed. They also make us happier, healthier people with a better sense of balance and purpose in our lives.
Whether it’s planned or spontaneous, let’s embrace these opportunities of saying Yes to more of what brings us joy 💖
26 October 2024, Andrea Weber, Expansive Happiness®
Image by Andrea Weber.