Shine your light

If you have seen the film Stardust, there is a scene in the film where the heroine gets close to the man she loves.  She’s a fallen star in the story.  Every times she is near him she starts glowing as the love she feels for him radiates out of her.

This is exactly how I feel when I’m near or think about the people I love.  Or when I look at the world through eyes of love.  It does feel like a big glow coming from my heart.

And it got me thinking about all the things that make us ‘shine’ and all the things that make us ‘fade’.

Things that make us ‘fade’ might be unkindness, criticism, lack of support.  Or having to do things we are told we ‘should’ do.

Things that make us ‘shine’ might be kindness, encouragement, support.  Or doing things we like, love and enjoy.

Maybe we are all ‘fallen stars’ and our mission is to find the things that make us shine because when we shine, we radiate love to ourselves and to others and that can’t be a bad thing.

What other people think of you is none of your business

Does what other people think of you stop you from doing what you want?  Or being who you want to be?

How many people are there on this planet?  Imagine what it would be like in your head, to take into account all of their opinions of you?  Noisey!

Do you really have time to worry about what someone’s opinion is of you?

Does it really matter what they think of you?

Isn’t it more important, what you think about yourself?

Sometimes, when I take a drive, I like to play music.  And loving music as I do, I like to have a little boogie as I drive.  I do love music, it brings me joy and I kind of forget to remember that I’m out in public and other people can see me dancing away.

Sometimes, as I look out the window, I catch a look from someone as they’ve noticed me dancing (I do tend to play the music quite loud!).  Sometimes, I catch a look of disgust, as if they are thinking, “What are they so happy about?  Life is meant to be serious,” and at other times, I see someone laughing at me and it’s nice.  It’s nice to know that my joy, my silliness has brought a smile to someone else’s face.

So whatever I do, or whatever you do – it’s pretty certain that someone else will have an opinion about it.  But does it really matter?  As long as you are not hurting anyone, why should having fun, being yourself be a sin?

Be you, enjoy yourself, spread joy in your life because as that saying goes: those that mind don’t matter, and those that matter don’t mind .

Find your JOY and find yourself

Enjoyment is the  key

Doing things you enjoy is one of the quickest ways to make life happier.  When you enjoy something, life becomes a breeze.

When you absolutely love what you are doing, time flies.  If you are lucky enough to have a job that you enjoy, it doesn’t feel like work at all.  If you have a hobby that you’re passionate about, it is like an antidote to the stresses and strains of the world.

When you are doing something you enjoy, life becomes easy.  There’s no need to force yourself to do something – you want to do it!  No need to drag yourself out of bed – you bounce out of bed!  You merge, become one with what you enjoy.  No need to wear a mask, you are simply present, simply happy, without any need to make an effort – it just feels right naturally.

If you have a job you dislike, find one you love.  Life should be fun, life should be enjoyable.  And until that day comes, find something that gives you joy, something that lets you be yourself again.  Something that gets you feeling happy again, something you can’t wait to do!  Something that gives you that inner sparkle again.

Some people love music, some love art, some love nature, some love exercise, some love writing, some love reading, some love cooking, some love doing logic puzzles…the list is endless.  We all have something we enjoy, naturally, without any effort involved.  Discover your joy and you will re-discover you!

Do not feel guilty!  A happier you, makes you feel happy and everyone around you will benefit too.  A happier you is nicer to be around.  Everyone has obligations or responsibilities of some kind but that is NO EXCUSE for not making time FOR YOURSELF to simply have a little bit of fun.  FUN is good for you.  FUN lifts your spirits.  FUN makes you a nicer person to be around.

Find YOUR JOY and do it – today!