Joy is the most effective form of resistance.
We can open that statement up from many angles. A great number of my teachers have come to this conclusion from avenues of all kinds, from "how tos" on navigating relationships to biohacks that shift the way we think.
Whether it's the state of the world, upcoming family dinners for holidays, or your own inner voice, resistance is showing up somewhere in your world today.
Resistance in and of itself carries a heavy or tense air about it. It sounds like hard work and frustration. This is not to say that version isn't necessary or important at times. Where people, myself included, get it twisted is that if the thing you are standing up against (in order to maintain your values or position) is already causing pain or stress, meeting it with a similar energy, while sometimes effective in the overall goal, costs much more to the resistor.
This is where burnout happens. This is where martyrs are born. This results in quitting before the job is done, or even if you make it to the end, draining yourself of all the resources that it would take to be able to even enjoy it.
We cover up that need to bask in the arrival of our own resistance at times by making this seem noble. We're doing it for those who can't do it themselves, for future generations, for the people around us. Great. And if you cannot include yourself, you miss the essential nature of community. You pass the burden of carrying things on your shoulders along to that next generation along with whatever stand you had for your values. Yes, we push the needle. But at what cost?
Don't imagine this as a happily ever after. Practicing active joy without using it to bypass the reality of people's lived experiences around you requires lots of presence, practice, and willingness to look into the dark crevices of your own bias. Joy as resistance requires intention, and that is not passive. It often requires a willingness to walk the path of taking nothing personally, even your own thoughts.
We get tons of "benefits" out of taking things personally. We can focus on our hurt feelings over choices like boundaries, how to use our voices, where to invest our time, money, and energy, etc. We can relate to other people who are in that same energy. Often taking something personally is the "quick" way to make something matter to ourselves, when if we take our time to breathe through initial emotions and tie things to something more rooted like our value systems, we can be more effective in our pursuits.
Joy. Let it start as a small seed of light in your belly and expand from there throughout your body, shining out your skin. Let it permeate your surroundings. Let it find the light shining out of others. Let that light merge. Notice what helps it to shine, and repeat the activities, processes, and points of connection that increase that glow. Organize around that. Develop plans from that place.
Forgive yourself for the times you could not remember, could not find, or would not look for this light. It does not expire. It does not leave. It only goes dormant at times, and you can reawaken it by shedding the layers that eclipse it.
One of the ways I offer to support in this process is through reiki sessions. Reiki is a relaxation technique, first and foremost. My style infuses intuitive messages and a deep witnessing that helps to relax the spirit and invigorate that little seed of light. Otherwise, I would love to hear what landed for you. Click reply, and let me know!
PS. I will be co-leading an incredible retreat in October of next year which will open these concepts up on a deep level around the fire with others who are committed to a similar transformation. We have just opened it for booking (like the website isn't even up yet), and we have 3 people signed up already. Because there will be a big deal for Black Friday, I wanted to make sure to mention it here for you all who may have been looking for my retreats for a while and feel ready to just jump in. For more details, please respond to this email (and/or take a look at my most recent instagram post).
