March, 2023
Meeting modern day challenges with ancient wisdom
Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!
by Chris Wurster
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1. The Covert/Undercover smile - What's the smallest, most nuanced smile you can give at the lips? Try it out. It’s almost imperceptible, but sure enough under close examination it exists indeed. What does it feel like to smile like this? Where does your mind go? Are you having fun yet?
Variation - no smile at the lips but smiling inside. Try it out...feel it in the body. What's it like to feel joy on the inside and no one outside of you even knows? You might imagine smiling at the heart. You might imagine all your cells; blood, skin, bone, etc. are smiling. What does this feel like in the body? Maybe try putting a hand on your heart as an acknowledgement of all the smiles you’re feeling inside. Pause…check in. Savor any good sensations…
2. The Muppet smile (I made up these names by the way) - *Disclaimer* You may want privacy for this one. Smile from ear to ear. Exaggerate your smile to the extreme, almost as if your smile doesn't fit on your face. Show teeth. Chuckle. Imagine that your whole body feels joy. Imagine that you just heard the funniest thing ever. Exaggerate your laugh. Be silly. Do a jig, a happy dance. Ok, this was all fabricated from a simple suggestion...but how does it feel in the body, the face, the belly? Is it even accessible? If not, let that be ok too.
3. The Natural - What does your natural smile feel like? In the body, face, mind? Are you familiar, like really familiar, with how your own smile actually feels? How does it feel to offer this smile to those you come in contact with? Is this feeling, this smile, this experience accessible more often? Is it worth practicing, remembering?
Joy and happiness and smiles are not always accessible, but how did it feel to simply experiment? We can always set the simple intention of ‘opening to the mere possibility of experiencing more Joy, Happiness, Smiles’ in our lives. Thanks for playing and sharing your smiles with the world.
Variation - no smile at the lips but smiling inside. Try it out...feel it in the body. What's it like to feel joy on the inside and no one outside of you even knows? You might imagine smiling at the heart. You might imagine all your cells; blood, skin, bone, etc. are smiling. What does this feel like in the body? Maybe try putting a hand on your heart as an acknowledgement of all the smiles you’re feeling inside. Pause…check in. Savor any good sensations…
2. The Muppet smile (I made up these names by the way) - *Disclaimer* You may want privacy for this one. Smile from ear to ear. Exaggerate your smile to the extreme, almost as if your smile doesn't fit on your face. Show teeth. Chuckle. Imagine that your whole body feels joy. Imagine that you just heard the funniest thing ever. Exaggerate your laugh. Be silly. Do a jig, a happy dance. Ok, this was all fabricated from a simple suggestion...but how does it feel in the body, the face, the belly? Is it even accessible? If not, let that be ok too.
3. The Natural - What does your natural smile feel like? In the body, face, mind? Are you familiar, like really familiar, with how your own smile actually feels? How does it feel to offer this smile to those you come in contact with? Is this feeling, this smile, this experience accessible more often? Is it worth practicing, remembering?
Joy and happiness and smiles are not always accessible, but how did it feel to simply experiment? We can always set the simple intention of ‘opening to the mere possibility of experiencing more Joy, Happiness, Smiles’ in our lives. Thanks for playing and sharing your smiles with the world.
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April Spring Cleaning
Let's come together on Sunday April 16, 9 am - 1pm. Cleaning will start at 9am and will be followed by potluck around 11:30 am. Please bring a ready dish to share. This is a great opportunity to come together as a community, catch up with some and get to know others. Rain/ Snow day will be April 30. Looking forward to seeing you ALL! |
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Please help
impoverished Indigenous peoples living on reservations.
One Nation Walking Together is a Colorado Springs based non-profit that delivers essential goods to Native Americans in need in Colorado and 7 surrounding states.
Donations needed:
New or gently used winter clothing or boots,
Tennis shoes,
Bedding,
Furniture,
Non-perishable food items,
School supplies,
Hygiene products, and medical supplies.
Donations can be dropped off at Deer Park, or you can arrange a pickup by Ellie Rose. She has a van, and can transport furniture. She can be contacted at 206.245.3294.
On behalf of Indigenous Americans, thank you!
New or gently used winter clothing or boots,
Tennis shoes,
Bedding,
Furniture,
Non-perishable food items,
School supplies,
Hygiene products, and medical supplies.
Donations can be dropped off at Deer Park, or you can arrange a pickup by Ellie Rose. She has a van, and can transport furniture. She can be contacted at 206.245.3294.
On behalf of Indigenous Americans, thank you!
Sharing the merit of our practice with all beings who are suffering, especially impoverished indigenous people living on reservations.
Newsletters 2020-23
March, 2023, Spring Clean up and Living Life with a Smile
February, 2023, Opening to Joy
January, 2023, RESET for the New Year Retreat, Leadership, and Program Insight
December, 2022, Happy New Year and a new online course offering
November, 2022, Transgender Awareness Month and the Five Mindfulness Practices
October, 2022, Garden Gifts
September, 2022, Reflections in Gardening and Spiritual Practice
August, 2022, What is Kindfulness and Deer Park Garden Update
July, 2022, Summer at the WEB
June, 2022, Community and May Retreat
May, 2022, Community and Gratitude for Chris
April, 2022, Community garden and Mind Training Insight
March, 2022, Optimism or Pessimism? the little things do count...
February, 2022, Taking Flight for Freedom
January, 2022, Waking Up Together - Exploring Sangha as Refuge
February, 2023, Opening to Joy
January, 2023, RESET for the New Year Retreat, Leadership, and Program Insight
December, 2022, Happy New Year and a new online course offering
November, 2022, Transgender Awareness Month and the Five Mindfulness Practices
October, 2022, Garden Gifts
September, 2022, Reflections in Gardening and Spiritual Practice
August, 2022, What is Kindfulness and Deer Park Garden Update
July, 2022, Summer at the WEB
June, 2022, Community and May Retreat
May, 2022, Community and Gratitude for Chris
April, 2022, Community garden and Mind Training Insight
March, 2022, Optimism or Pessimism? the little things do count...
February, 2022, Taking Flight for Freedom
January, 2022, Waking Up Together - Exploring Sangha as Refuge
Want to learn more? Click here for the 2019 - 2021 Newsletters
We Would Love to Have You Visit Soon!
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