Hello, Studio Joy!

This is an excerpt from the weekly News-Loveletter. If you would like it sent to your inbox directly (with all the other juicy bits, including a mini joy practice), you can add yourself to my mailing list here.

When Seda pointed out that my living room workspace was turning into a pumpkin, I cried. Little tears at first, then a torrent of them, hot and angry.

I did not want to give up that cozy space. The woodstove warmed my back through the winter. And all of life, from wild turkeys to human children, passed by on the sidewalk before me there. I felt wrapped in comfort and community while I worked. But she was right. Her new work from home changed everything.

The Unknown often brings the unavoidable, doesn’t it? After my bout of resistance and allowing emotions safe passage (a Joy practice, believe it or not), I primed for what I wanted.

I envisioned a new workspace that soothed my eyes and soul, while tickling the creative. I wanted to feel community there, too. I wanted the space to remind me of my dreams, while being functionally delivering in the moment, as I taught and wrote.

Co-creating with the guidance of my dear friend, Sat Hari Khalsa, Studio Joy was born. What do you think? Above, you can see one half of of this new space, the side designed for writing and creating. See how I am surrounded by old friends? My green community.

The wall behind is set up optimally for Zoom learners. If you’ve been in one of my classes recently, I thank you for your feedback in this iterative process! Studio Joy is everything I didn’t know I wanted.

Daily, I rise to embrace the seemingly unfriendly. That is to say, I meet my own resistance with compassion. All the while, I search for alternative perspectives. Where’s the gift? I imagine how I want to feel when all is said and done. I lean into these wonderful feelings, which gives the illusion of patience while I allow the Universe to sort it out. ;)

This willingness and ability is not innate. It’s a practice, and you can do it too. Reply to let me know if you want in on the next opportunity to learn these Core Joy skills. I don’t share them everyday.

When have you fought something tooth and nail, then surrendered to the unavoidable? What gift did you find in it?