Toolbox of joy

Life is often busy and while we are doing things we need to do, most of us find  we have a running list of things we would  rather be doing that bring us joy. Have you had moments when you suddenly have unexpected free time and can’t think of the many things you wanted to do from that running list?  You end up wasting that free time trying to figure out what you could be doing.

In much the same way, when we need a pick-me-up to find our happy place again, if we don’t have something in place, we spend too much time and effort trying to find a solution, or perhaps feel too bad to even think about ways to reclaim happiness.

Creating a toolbox of joy gives you a ready supply of things that can raise your vibration.  We all have moments when we feel bad, or perhaps are picking up on the energy of other people and the world.  In these moments, if we have tools we can reach for, we can stop ourselves from spiraling into dark places.What makes you happy?

Create your toolbox of joy.  Brainstorm a list of everything and everyone that makes you feel better, helps you smile, and bring you joy:

Audios/Videos: Do you have a list of go-to gurus that you can simple look up on YouTube or have you bought their materials?  Create a playlist of five to ten audios that will immediately make you feel good.

Meditations:  Meditating can be useful to stop negative thought and raise your vibration.  However, when one is feeling down, getting into that space can be tough.  Create a playlist of your favorite guided meditations that you can use.

Journaling:  For those who find writing soothing, journaling your way to feeling good can be a great release.  Get a beautiful journal that you can easily access when you need to find joy again.
At the top of your page, start by writing the following:

  • Things I notice right now that are good
  • Things I am grateful for today
  • Perhaps also write out your preferred outcome of a situation.  

Crafting/Hobbies:  For some people, getting creative can be an outlet for negative emotions.  Set up a craft corner for yourself so you can reach out and get creative in the moment.  Have a ready list of go-to crafts or projects in process that you can jump right into.

People: Who are the people or communities you can reach out to for support? These are the people who make you feel better without commiserating or exacerbating the way you feel.  Make a list so that if you are in need of human support, you can reach out.

What else can you put into your toolbox so you are able to reach in and choose the best pick-me-up for that moment?   

Wishing you a toolbox of joy bursting at the seams!

Many Blessings,
Santa

RUNNING THROUGH DARKNESS
MEMOIR OF A SPIRITUAL WARRIOR

BY SANTA MOLINA-MARSHALL ‧ RELEASE DATE: MAY 3, 2022

This debut memoir chronicles a woman’s spiritual exploration and growth as she overcame a disturbing childhood and helped others heal.

Brought to America from the Dominican Republic as a youngster, Molina-Marshall should have led a happy life. Her father was a diligent worker, and his large family wanted for nothing. But the author recounts that her dad had a drinking problem and was a serial philanderer. Molina-Marshall’s long-suffering mother left him for a woman. Then it was all downhill for the bright, 12-year-old girl, who was shuttled between foster care and relatives. According to the author, she was sexually abused by the husband of one of her siblings. This resulted in Molina-Marshall becoming alienated and moody. By 15, she simply tried to survive. In her favor were grit and a restless intelligence. She quit school, rented a room, and found a factory job. Time went by, and for a while she was happily married. Yet when her husband left her, her life truly began. She turned to religion for answers but decided that blaming God for her woes was a cop-out. 

In this absorbing and moving memoir, Molina-Marshall’s vivid storytelling is fearless. She frankly discusses the truths she discovered and the indignities she suffered. These admissions are disclosed with a touch of resignation and plenty of bite. However painful, everything she experienced was a lesson, and she bravely realized that she was part of the problem: “The fear of being hurt, rejected, or abused often led to me feeling lonely and misunderstood. No one knew the agonizing pain I felt being trapped in my thoughts and anger. I was becoming my biggest threat.” 

The author skillfully recounts her intricate spiritual journey. To deal with her psychic wounds, she searched for an inspirational system. Her open-mindedness led her to the interfaith concept—cherry-picking from various religions and spiritual movements, yoga, and Indigenous beliefs as a way of finding peace. Along with her female partner, she built a therapy practice, making use of every spiritual element that aided her and others. The road was bumpy, and she found that women of color in same-sex relationships were not welcomed everywhere. To do good works—and finally live on her own terms—she effectively overcame bigotry.

An engrossing, cathartic account of empathy and success through determination and confidence.

Pub Date: May 3, 2022   |    ISBN: 978-0-578-38315-6  |   Page Count: 264    | Publisher: From Trauma to Triumph  |   Review Posted Online: June 13, 2022