Sensory Delights of Joy

Well, this is a fascinating find, The Institute of Joy is a hotel clinic specializing in joy treatments.  I'm sure that would be a fascinating getaway.  Although I don't plan to travel across the world for a joy treatment any time soon (the expense would more likely steal joy from me than add to it right now), I do like their teaching on the importance of using the five senses as a practice to feel joy, they actually offer a workshop to tap into deep joy through the senses.

This week's practice in the Art of Joy includes experimenting in my own workshop of the senses here at home, focusing on all the sensory delights around me. This goes right along with finding joy in ordinary life by being more aware and living more fully in the present.

As a gift to myself, I bought an aromatherapy diffuser from Amazon which just arrived.  Joy therapy tonight included a mix of lavender and eucalyptus essential oils (smell), kava tea (taste),  jacuzzi time (touch), enjoying our ocean view (sight) and listening to music (hear)...I've got it covered today, I found joy!  I will practice paying closer attention to the sensations of life. 

Just a few of my favorite sensory delights include:

Sight: The ocean and crashing waves I can see from my window, it's different every single day!  The changing colors of the sky throughout the day.  I love seeing words, I have a lot of word art in my home. The soft glow from burning candles, and surrounding my home with bright colors...I especially love red/orange and turquoise/aqua, the colors of the sun and ocean.

Taste: Cookies, always a favorite.  Kisses and herb tea, daily treats.  Chocolate melting on my tongue, popcorn at the movies. This could go on forever...

Touch: Massages, hugs, pedicures, sitting close to someone I love, the feel of textured fabrics, sand between my toes, swimming in the ocean or sitting in the Jacuzzi.  The feel of rain on my face.

Hear:  Music, lots of it...these days I mostly listen to zen calming music, it really helps with my anxiety.  Sounds of the waves crashing, singing in the shower, the soft breathing when our dog sleeps.

Smell:  Flowers, aromatherapy lotions and oils, candles, clean laundry and fresh baked bread. The smell of babies head.