The Intention You Bring to All You Do, Is How You Live In Happiness

The WISDOM podcast  Season 2  Episode 61

with Dorothy Ratusny

      

 

Daisy was overwhelmed. She began to gently sob on the phone in release of what she had kept contained within. “I’m miserable.” “I’m not happy in this job.” “I don’t know why.”
If you have ever worked with me, you know that I wouldn’t let you get away with an “I don’t know” answer. I went in another direction first. A positive psychology practice and I asked Daisy “What was one good thing you experienced today? One thing that was enjoyable?”

She continued to talk about the ongoing issues she faced in her job. I interrupted. “Find one positive in today and tell me about it, please” I asked. The pause was long.

In therapy and life coaching I lead with intuition.

Asking Daisy to find one positive moment or experience in her day was a yet to be discovered prequel to what we would discuss. And we were going to jump all over happiness.

Two key areas that we highlighted that needed a mindset change was: 1) the idea and the reality for someone highly conscientious and desiring to consistently do her best; that getting everything finished in a day was not realistic.

In fact, her workload had changed so much in this new job that Daisy would have several piles of unfinished work that she would need to have patience with as she continued towards their completion. This also meant a change in perspective on how she measured success and productivity.

For example, it was no longer helpful to Daisy to critique her performance based on what she completed each day. There was far too much that would require updates and changes and reworking, based on her coworkers input and the demands of the client.

We all judge our performance in part on what we accomplish in any given day. This may work if you are replacing a fan belt or filling a cavity, teaching a swim class, or reading the two assigned chapters of your text as part of your homework.

But for the majority of us and especially self-employed entrepreneurs, our work is clearly in flow; we also need to improve and make things better. Therefore, the mindset has changed; things don’t get finished, or they get finished for right now, with the possibility that they will evolve and change, and be improved and updated in future.

 

This also happens in our personal life. You can have a great workout and feel pleased that you gave it ‘your all’ and its now complete; but tomorrow is waiting – for another workout.

Everything is in flow. Your proverbial ‘to do list’ for example, is in a state of flux. You cross off some items and add others because this is what life presents – everything is always in motion.

The other key area that Daisy and I discussed was the attitude; the mindful focus and intention that she brings to everything that she does. I challenged Daisy with the task of being happy in spite of the stress of deadlines and unfinished projects and some tasks requiring more time to complete and therefore, for her to no longer aim to hastily “finish everything”, but rather to consider what was the energy and intention that she brought to her work.

In other words, did she approach her work with an attitude of ‘How can I infuse this task with positivism, patience, and the intention to do my best; and to enjoy what I am doing as much as possible?

Another observation we explored was, how could Daisy begin her day by putting herself in a state of happiness and self-love and also how could she allow herself mini self-care breaks throughout the day for as little as 5 minutes at a time; to pause, to push away from her computer and close her eyes; to place one hand on her heart center and in the space and time of deep conscious breaths, to feel comfort and self-soothed.

Her answer for what ‘made’ her happy that day was the half hour walk outdoors. I reminded her of the importance of planning several, what I call “happiness activities” that she could look forward to and infuse her workday; to remind her of the idea of flow; that we are not machines; that we need breaks and moments of presence ‘to be’, to appreciate, to revel in, to allow for the conscious free flow of ideas and inspiration that are always upon us if we tune in and take notice.

This is a healthy approach to life; and a means to which we live in both worlds simultaneously – work and leisure – balance and flow. Other examples of ‘happiness activities’ could be a 20min nap on your lunch break; or a 10min meditation which will also rejuvenate and restore your energy; pulling out a notebook at the same time each day or whenever you choose and write a list of what you are grateful for right now for 5 minutes or to stand up and away from your desk to stretch as you breathe with awareness.

The big takeaway for Daisy and all of us who have different work environments now that so many of us work predominately from home or as a function of how our workplace settings have changed and as we may have far more overlap between work and non-work is the ability to embrace true balance and flow; to carve out and honor the time whether after 6pm and once you have logged off of your computer, or at 11:17am when you need a ‘mini’ breathing break or to step outside and listen to the birds singing.

Together with flow is intention and the idea of choosing what you bring into each day as promise, as hope, as appreciation; and of course presence. It is how you witness happiness and joy as a state of being that you live in.

As you focus on living in happiness first; happiness as a function of gratitude, as a means of focusing on what is positive; and as you enjoy life’s simple pleasures such as the hot beverage you drink in the morning – something that Daisy so looks forward to; an afternoon walk or a 15min gardening break as you feel the sunlight warm your face; all of which act as positive reinforcements that you can be happy by choice.

Daisy’s homework; besides changing her expectations of what she could reasonably accomplish in a day; and to no longer judge her success or happiness by this; was to include activities of happiness into her life; and into each work day; in regular doses. We also discussed how Daisy could better monitor herself so that she could enjoy frequent mini breaks to reset; to give her mind and body an opportunity to realign with the energy of calm, inner peace, and the intention of what energy she would bring into her work.

The energy you bring to anything is most powerful. It is your intention that drives your experience. If you decide that you will look at every task, every job, every transaction as that which is meaningful and if you give each your attention, care, and love; as you take necessary moments to consider the positive in what you do and why; then everything becomes more purposeful and important.

For example, an email is not just a transaction but an opportunity to connect, to be kind, to gather information, to be thankful, and to leave a positive impression. Every instance of your life is also this.

You can be fully present with all that you do and in the persistent knowledge that everything is important; and then the attitude and intention; think: ‘energy’ that you hold and that which you bring to each task is far more meaningful.

Think of it as you are imprinting upon all that you do with your personal energy vibration. You can imprint a hurried, anxious energy vibe or an attitude of care and loving-kindness. Your attitude and intention brings value and enjoyment to all that you do.

Try this for yourself. Make it a homework practice to insert love and positivism into your day by showing up to everything in a state of happiness, contentment, privilege, and gratitude. Think of happiness as your natural inner state and one that you can live consistently. It is possible to live in happiness and inner calm that you are responsible for.

And in the moments when you find yourself no longer in your Zen – you can unplug for a time and reset to find your calm once again. Know that you can decide and live from a state of your inner vibe of happy. Ultimately it is you that can truly be responsible for this This also highlights the importance of self-care and self-love that you are always offering to yourself.

On that note, I share with you, a beautiful ‘mini’ 8 minute self-love meditation. It’s a meditation experience that I hope you will use often; to return to a state of calm, happiness and inner Zen that you are able to cultivate for yourself. I’ll leave a link for it in the description.

I had Daisy’s full attention as she made notes throughout our session time and as she thought more about how she could live the practice of bringing happiness into her work life – and to live happy consciously. I hope that in listening you are inspired of the same. If someone you know could also benefit from a positive change in mindset to approach and live their life, please share this with them.

Please listen to the other episodes of the wisdom podcast here including this series of ‘ask dorothy’ Q and A.

If you have questions for me that you would like answered, please write to me. Thank you so much for listening.

 

Sharing the wisdom and beauty of divine love with you…

Namaste!

If you have a question or if you would like my guidance or help, please reach out to me:  dorothy@dorothyratusny.com

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A generous ‘thank you’ to Audio Engineer, P. Kirpikau  radioplato

Podcast Theme Music:  ‘Aura’ from the Album, Illuvia by Eternellwww.eternell.net/album/illuvia

Accompanying Music: Purl – ‘havets sang’ and ‘baleine’

 

More Happiness and Self-Love Here: