A genuinely happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery of a detour.
Tara Brach, spiritual teacher, psychologist, author
When we look for joy, it’s hard to find. Joy is made up of all the … colors that exist. Joy is when we’re willing to surrender to all our experiences and all our emotions.
Melody Beattie, American author on co-dependent relationships
I have a friend who is in the design business creating wallpaper. She has repeatedly said, “I want to bring color into people’s homes, brighten up their lives .” Then I read a piece by Melody Beattie on the color of feelings. You know how one moment or day we feel clear, peaceful and smiley. Then later that day or the next we feel confused, annoyed or droopy.
There’s a body of science about the color of feelings and it’s related to the color theory in music. Some common correlations might be these: happy can be yellow (possibly D or E Major), anger is often dark reds (any minor key or mode for example Cmi or Fmi), and grief or sadness are blue hues (we call it having the blues when we feel down and often in the water keys like D Flat). The traditional blues key is, of course, F in the West.
Pause for a moment to relax, still yourself, take a few calming breaths and think about what you are feeling right now. Give it a color. Go with your instinct. How does the color make you feel? Are you surprised? Are you stuck? Where do your thoughts go? The world is not black or white.
There is one feeling that may be harder to see because it’s a blending of many colors and definitely not black or white. That would be joy. Often it’s described as a blend like the rainbow. Joy seems to appear when we’re able to let go of attachment to any one particular feeling especially the ones that pull us to our negative biases.
Joy can also be freedom from challenging feelings that often hinder us like craving, jealousy, doubt, or worry. Though we come to know they won’t last or at the least will change (impermanence), the darker side can fool us into believing implacability.
Now still yourself again. Reflect on your colors. Experiment with your joy color/s. Whatever you find simply allow. Mindfully choose to access your graciousness, joy and equanimity. ENJOY!
MY THANK TO EACH OF YOU
I feel grateful and blessed for every person who reads Wednesday Wisdom and learns with me. You are my rainbow, walking the mindfulness path with me and opening yourselves to exploration and discovery with curiosity, an open mind and equanimity. You are my teachers.