8 Steps To Bounce Back To Your Best

"...keep knocking, and the Joy inside will eventually open a window
and look out to see who's there."
- Rumi

On Monday, I struck the bottom of my creative barrel. It was a hot day. I had no inspiration, enthusiasm or appetite for any of the projects I am working on. The well was empty. I had nothing to draw from. Zero. Nada. Zip. Do you ever have days like this?

Creativity and joy I find go well together. I started exploring joy.

In addressing myself to the day, here is what I discovered:

1. Let go and surrender

When things are not going the way I want, it really helps me to let go of expectations and be open to the unexpected. I am part of a much larger picture than is immediately in front of me. Truly, I am not in control, although sometimes I try to be.

2. Call for help

Sometimes, I find it helpful to talk to a good listener. Other times, I simply ask for a friend to send positive thoughts my way while I move through whatever is bothering me.

"We need Joy as we need air. 
We need Love as we need water.

We need each other as we need the earth we share."
- Maya Angelou

3. Clear space

It was a good day for housework. Doing the laundry, washing the floors and yes, in the heat, ironing. I went round like a living sauna - any of the toxins of negativity and doubt were surely being flushed out. I drank a lot of water.

The good news about working "hands on" is that it brings me right into the present moment. In the present moment, all is fine. At the end of the day, the house felt good. Laundry was clean and put away. The space felt clean and clear.

 "We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think.
When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."
- Gautama Buddha

4. Be prepared to be entertained, touched and moved

Partly in response to my call for help, I was sent this video:

Suryia and Roscoe

5. Do something you LOVE to do

I have begun to enjoy reading novels. Friends often pass on their paperbacks to me. I have a shelf of "to be reads". One had been staring at me for some days. So I picked it up and sat outside for a while to read. The book was riveting and took my mind off into other worlds, away from my own "empty", somewhat judgmental, one.

"From joy springs all creation,
By joy it is sustained,

Towards joy it proceeds,
And unto joy it returns."
- The Upanishads

6. Notice the extraordinary

In the past few years, I have designed and conducted a number of wedding ceremonies, but none have had the exuberant bride's processional chosen by this couple:

Jill and Kevin's Wedding Dance

7. Invite good into your life ...

.... good news, good food, good friends, In a recent post, Dr Cara Barker shared this exercise:

"At the very moment you believe you cannot afford the time, write out, in one sentence, the problem that's got you stumped. Lay it down, and go for a 15-20 minute walk, and notice the unexpected. When you return, if you are open, you'll find a clue to your situation."

I put it into practice and went for a walk. On my walk I happened to pass a palm tree and as I walked by, a frond tickled the top of my head. It felt like God reaching down to reassure me, much like a parent would a toddler finding its way around. I smiled.

Later in the day, I went for another walk and a toddler drifted in front of me. It gave me great joy to gently touch the top of his head to let him know I was there.

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,
but sometimes your smile can be the source of your JOY."
- Thich Nhat Hanh

8. Be giving

Many years ago, I read: "When feeling lack, find something to give. Give of yourself." I found several small ways to give. A day later, I felt the difference. Something opened up for me. I felt freer, more connected and resourceful again.

"Love is the unifier, the motivator and the source of joy 
for every being."  
- Sai Baba

What do you do to recover from an attack of the "blahs"? Do you have any special remedies for getting back on track? How do you get back in balance when life throws you a curve ball?

I love to hear from you! Please feel free to comment below, or contact me at [e-mail].

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Follow Anne Naylor on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Anne4Joy

Comments

[MelodieSays]

HuffPost's Pick

My GodMother Lelia always said
"The World is crying out for bread,
and they are being thrown rocks...

For God's Sake, throw some Bread!"

Thanks for the bread.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear MelodieSays,

Thank you very much for your comment. Your God Mother is a very wise person. I am very happy to have been able to throw some bread your way.

With love and blessings,
Anne

[CapableOne]

This article could not have come at a better time for me. It seems like I'm surrounded by negative people everywhere... complaining about the government... the kind of people who would snort derisively at the wedding dance above and not feel the joy. I have unfortunately been allowing them to bring me down. The wisdom here is just what I needed to let them go and invite joy back into my life! Thank you universe, and thank you Anne, for providing!

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear CapableOne

What a great name you have! Thank you very much for your comment.

There are lot of people around feeling a great deal of discontent at the moment. It is not unusual in times of great change like this.

Nevertheless, I think we each of us need to find caring ways to pick ourselves up by the bootstraps and find joy - anyway! It has never left us. We just have to decide to choose it.

May you be abundantly blessed.

With love,
Anne

[LifeChangeStartsNow]

HuffPost's Pick

Thank you for this wonderful post Ann Naylor. I came back in not feeling as crappy as when I went for my walk in the gardens. However, just watching the video of my 3 favourite animals - dog, elephant and orangutan - cheered me up immensely but the wedding dance pasted a big grin on my face and permanently changed my mood. Lovely.

When I need to get away from myself, I go walking along the lake or out in nature with my music plugged in and I sing, out loud. I do that for an hour or more and by the time I return home, I'm quiet inside and all is calm. If I don't sing out loud, I only feel half as good. Other times I do EFT or Qi Gong and I write a poem about how I feel which usually gives me the insight I need and then things take off from there.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear LifeChange­StartsNow,

I am so happy to hear you were cheered by the post! You have some great strategies for picking yourself up - good for you.

Thank you very much for your comment - I appreciate your spirit of joy and resilience.

Warmest good wishes,
Anne

[Dr. Cara Barker - Huffpost Blogger]

Your words and feeling tone, Anne, never fail to inspire me....even in the lily days. The videos are just the ticket for a boost, but your heart is the 'real deal' for bringing to life what matters. Sister Anne, you are such a blessing. On those days when it's a challenge to 'get it up' to write/whatever, I think of Anne Naylor and cannot help but smile.

Much love your way from the seashore,
Cara

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

God bless you, Cara and thank your for your so kind words. You read me, Sistah!

Your words of encouragement mean a great deal to me at the moment as I am exploring how I can expand what I do - writing, speaking, coaching. Both exciting and scary!

This week, I am working with gratitude for my post. You are one I very much appreciate for your courage and heartfelt commitment to life and to those you love. You are an inspiration to me.

Best love and blessings to you,
Anne

[writerkate]

Good timing. I've just spent the last three days crying, over something that should have been joyful. But while the original event was a source of joy, this reminder of one aspect of the happy event touched a very deep wound, one I've carried for years. (And, be it said, one that is a bit of a mental aberration.)

When this particular sore spot is triggered, what I've found works best is just to give it some time, that best of physicians. Grieve for a few days, lay low, withdraw as much as possible. Then start fresh and pick up the threads of life wherever I dropped them, and let the day to day of living rebury the wound. It may not bring healing, but it brings the ability to rediscover joy, both the giving and the taking of it.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear writerkate

Thank you for your comment and for sharing the strategy you have found to work through your grieving. I hope that in time you are able to heal the wound you have suffered.

In my own experience, I have found that sadness and joy can sit quite close together. When I touch in to the depth of the sadness, joy starts to emerge.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Jamie Stiehm - Huffpost Blogger]

What a bright burst of joie de vivre Jill and Kevin's wedding dance down the aisle was. At first, my thought was, no wedding in the world has ever broken so china and other conventions. My second thought was, why can't more weddings be more like this - there are a precious few - with a spirit of whimsy and surprise? And I'd like to know what state in the Union has that state of mind - Bravo! Thanks for the lift, Anne, Jill and Kevin.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Jamie,

Thank you very much for your comment. That wedding dance has been very viewed on YouTube. I wonder if it will inspire others to follow.

With warm good wishes to you,
Anne

[drsharm]

Dear Anne,

Thank you for writing this article. I definitely needed it. I think sometimes we all can get caught up in work work work or worry worry worry that we forget how to really live life. And you forgot to add a number 9 - YOU! It's like what you say in your title "Steps to bounce back to your best" and I truly believe reading your inspiring posts are one of those steps!

I think it can be especially hard for people like myself who take many things to heart to 'bounce back.' But I do believe many things can help including just taking a breather with the help of different activities such as meditation, jogging, walking, jumping on a trampoline! And of course doing service at a soup kitchen, eldery home, hospital, etc.

And just out of curiosity, where did you get your quotations for Sai Baba and the Upanishads? Books? Lectures?

thanks again, -deepa

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear deepa,

Thank you very much for your comment and very kind words. I am delighted to know that it arrived at a good moment for you.

It is wonderful that there are things we can do to bounce back. Sometimes, we just need to remember and then of course, do them!

When I am writing the articles, I often research quotes on the internet. I find it interesting to hear what others have to say on the topic I am exploring.

Enjoy a very happy week!

With love,
Anne

[Kari Henley - Huffpost Blogger]

Love this blog Anne!
It seems many of us are feeling the stress and strain these days, and our writing is reflecting it!
We are offering a sample platter of ideas to help us all manage our stress and strain. I love that you put into practice these ideas yourself- and had great results! I can feel the palm tree touching my head too, and the quotes sprinkled in are like divine sustenance.
Thank you!!!
Kari

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Kari,

Thank you so much for your comment. Sometimes, it is hard to know what to say to give some hope and encouragement in amongst all the heavy news that seems to be raining down, almost incessantly.

I do have fun trying things out to see how they work. Over the rest of the world, politics etc I have no real control. Potentially, I feel we all have the possibility to choose how we respond and to take care of ourselves in the best ways under the circumstances. So the sample platters of ideas are maybe just little things but they do make a difference.

Divine sustenance.. great expression! I feel very fortunate to be one of the Living Page bloggers.
I appreciate your showing up here.

With much love,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne,

Thanx for this blog and special video. I loved the Orangutan and dog and of course Bhagavan and his relaxed manner

Deb and i lived with Dr. Bhagavan Antle at Yogaville with Swami Satchidananda in 1988. It was a time to remember. we were in Heaven.

He has all sorts of animals he is a big cat person.

ALL LOVE,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Ed,

Thank you so much for your comment - you and your love are always welcome here!

I appreciate the blessings that you are.

May you continue to enjoy your Heaven - it is always in You!

Love to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Anne- when you wake up to your true nature heaven/fre­edom/bliss­/ is who you are in out everywhere

What I was saying in my comment was that being in the presence and living with his lions and amazing animals was HEAVENLY. which is transient (although it would have been great if they were within but they couldn't fit ..ha)

Life is a gift,, Treasure it?

Ed

[MadHeart]

HuffPost's Pick

Spending money always stresses me out since I don't have much in retirement. Starting a couple of years ago, I began whistling (softly) while shopping and am now known at my regular grocery store as the "whistling woman". I take joy in the old myth that a "whistling woman" was a "troublesome" woman (read: independent and adventurous). And it gets me through the chore of shopping where I'm fierce about looking for, and finding, the best bargains.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear MadHeart

Thank you very much for your comment. What a wonderful strategy you have. I love your adventurous and independent spirit. You are fabulous!

Much happy whistling to you!

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

HuffPost's Pick

Dear Anne,

I always know when I read your posts, I'm going to feel better when I finish than when I began. You have a way of always pointing your readers towards the truth, and of course we know the truth will set us free.

I've had some similar days as you describe, where I just couldn't "get it up", for fill in the blank. On those days, I just surrender to it being what you call "A Lily Day", and go with the flow.

Thanks for the many wonderful, reassuring messages you bring to us.

You're an angel!

Love,
Judith

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dearest Judith,

I cannot tell you how very much I appreciate your encouragement and empathy. It is my hope and intention to offer a fresh look at our lives (to tell the truth, I get it before it goes into words so I am very grateful for this process).

What you say about the truth setting us free - oh yes! The world can be such a trap and cause us to forget what is true, beautiful and lovely - there is actually plenty of that around. Sometimes we have to be willing to go look and find.

This week, I start work on my new website. I shall keep you posted!

Again, thank you so much for being you.

With love and blessings,
Anne

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Anne,

Hello from Scottsdale, AZ where I'm working this week. Can't wait to see your new website! Be sure to let me know when you've launched......

I'm not posting for a few weeks, but I'll be checking your posts. My daughter is getting married next week (on her 40th birthday no less!)- so exciting! And Cara and I are taking a painting class at Esalen the following week. Wish you were here. You need to come to northern CA for a visit.

Love to you,
Judith

[Humanistic]

HuffPost's Pick

It's somewhat inspiring to hear about ways to deal with a down day. But what should you do, when misfortune, mishaps, disappointments, and general bad luck have plagued you for several years, when none of the simple strategies work and there's no change in sight, with a lousy economy and little chance for employment, and you expect the worst is yet to come? From my own experience, the only answer is to fight like hell and don't expect to feel good about anything, just be glad to have a place to sleep and a chance to fight on.

[MadHeart]

But you must feel good about something, even being alive, as my son says. My material life has been downhill for the last 15 yrs. Couldn't get work at my regular occupation, lost my house, moved in with my now single, middle-aged son (who is not well off) 10 yrs ago, and we now live on my $1K in SS and his dwindling work in construction. You, too, will make it.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Humanistic

Thank you very much for your comment and for sharing your brave spirit.

In answer to your question, what should you do? I am reminded of the somewhat irreverent Monty Python video: Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlBiLNN1NhQ

I sing it to myself and it just makes me smile. In addition to fighting on, I find that love and laughter can help me to carry through and lighten the load.

I hope that life will give you a break before too long.

With love and blessings,
Anne

[endbush]

I'm glad you have begun to enjoy reading novels, as the great ones hold the wisdom of the ages.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear endbush

Thank you so much for your comment. So true what you say, as I am discovering.

With love,
Anne

[endbush]

I'm glad you have begun to enjoy reading novels, as they hold the wisdom of the ages.

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

So that's why people still get married. I get it.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Diogenes,

Welcome - great to see you here! A wedding has to be worth a good dance - and that is just the beginning.

With love to you,
Anne